DotMomafesto

More Americans are reading and creating weblogs than ever before. The latest figures from the Pew Internet and American Life project show that about 11 million American adults have created weblogs and about 32 million Americans read them.

With about 40 mothers who contribute regularly, DotMoms is a group weblog that covers life on the homefront from many perspectives. Contributors live across the United States and around the world, in Canada, Thailand, Germany and elsewhere. While each has her own unique viewpoint, together we paint a picture of parenting that reflects a wide range of experiences.

Moms have written about experiences as life-changing as giving birth and surviving Hurricane Katrina and as routine as the first day of school or a morning at the grocery store. We are single mothers, divorced mothers, empty nesters, stay-at-home moms, working moms. We are passionate and exhausted, committed and conflicted, in love with our lives and yet sometimes despairing. We are the face of motherhood.

I receive about 15-20 requests per month from writers who would like to join DotMoms. Each potential contributor is required to submit a bio and sample post so that I can assess what her voice and style would add to the conversation. I seek geographic, demographic and other kinds of diversity, as well as women who want to grow as writers and as parents. If the fit is right, she is invited to write for the blog with monthly deadlines and other requirements. I edit each post for spelling, grammar, style and approach, and I try to provide each writer with feedback. There are no topics that are off-limits, however we stick to personal narratives -- capturing a slice of life -- without judgment. It is a family-friendly blog.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons our readers are so loyal. They visit regularly, share their comments, and send notes to tell us how much they appreciate knowing they're not alone.

DotMoms has received much media coverage. It was picked as one of Time magazine's coolest websites, noted on Forbes' Best of the Web, and featured in magazines from Parenting to Family Circle.

DotMoms is always growing. There are new posts per day, and the list of links to mom blogs is at almost 700, with constant requests from others who want to be added. We introduce new features regularly and benefit from the creativity and passion the contributors bring to the group as bloggers, writers, editors, mothers, daughters, wives and sisters.

Blogs are changing parenting and we're proud to be part of a transformation that is helping mothers, fathers and children everywhere benefit from what's ahead.

If you have any suggestions for DotMoms, let me know.

Julie Moos
Founder and Editor, DotMoms

Comments

[Jennifer]

Fantastic site! There are so many resources it will take me weeks to get through it all. Especially since my 3 year old has stopped napping when her 17 month old brother does! A couple of hours a day is all there is for perusing such wonderful tips, and possibly adding a few too. Thanks for creating the site-I look forward to becoming a part of the community!

[Leanette]

Never in my life did I EVER expect to forget good ol' "Miss Mary Mack". That was until today. I was just innocently sitting with my daughter, minding my own business, until I had this GREAT idea. "Hey Carmen, Do you want to play Patty-Cakes?". Not only did I dare ask, she of course replied with a big "YES!". Oh, how great ideas soon turn for the worse. So we now are facing each other, getting ready to begin. "Are you ready?", I ask. "OH yeah, I'm ready."
I should have asked myself this question first. But naturally in haste, and a bit of confidence, I skipped over this question to myself. (Note to all MOMS - IF YOU HAVE NOT PLAYED PATTY-CAKE SONGS IN 20 plus years, YOU WILL NEED TO TAKE A REFRESHER COURSE)
So here is my big moment. A moment where I can shine and prove to my daughter that I am somehow cool, and young. Just as we embark on this new adventure, I slowly, very slowly begin to realize - I don't remember the words to "Miss Mary Mack".
Oh, but it gets better. I then decide to "fake" like I know the words. Oh, yes this will work. I already know how to play Patty-Cakes, the song is just half the battle. (NOTE TO ALL MOMS - IF YOU REALLY THINK THIS WILL WORK, JUST WAIT.....)
Okay, so we begin. "Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack, All dressed in black, black, black...."
I re-gain my confidence, and somehow even manage to remember some of the song. I think I can handle this, what could possibly go wrong?? (NOTE TO MOMS - AS YOU ALREADY KNOW, WHAT WON'T GO WRONG - WILL.).
I'm confident, singing (actually faking this part), just until my daughter looks at me and says, "Do you remember the rest of the song? I don't remember the next part."
Okay, no sweat, stay calm, think...think....keep thinking....okay RUN FOR THE COMPUTER!!!
(So naturally I did, and here I am.)

Thanks much for a great site, I even found a few other songs that I did not expect to see.

Look forward to posting and reading.

thanks to all of you

Leanette

[candtsmom]

I am a 44 year old mom with two grown sons. My youngest son just left the nest and i am definaltely experiencing the empty nest but also enjoying my life. most of my life i was a stay at home mom. i have gone back to college to get that degree that always seemed to get put on hold for tee-ball practice etc. i thought i would be intimidated by the younger students and all the homework but it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. the younger students inspire me and some even give me the opportunity to be like a mother figure. remember it is never to late to fulfill YOUR dreams for yourself. It is important to be a good wife and mommy but you are a woman too. Whatever your dream is go for it. I would love to hear from other moms what there dreams are espicially if you are going back to college alittle later in life like me. would also love to be a part of mommysdot.com to blog on a regular basis please, let me know what I need to do to make that happen. Everyone have a great mother's day

[Laura]

Hello to all.I am a 50yr old mom who just stumbled upon this web site and I am happy I did. This is a blessing to know that there are so many of us out there going through the same things in life. For so long I was convinced that I was truly alone. I am a stay at home mom that gave up so much 21yrs ago when I got married. At the time I thought LOVE would conquer it all. Boy! Was I so very wrong. After two kids, 2 dogs, a cat, 2 guniea pigs,in-laws that were so unreasonable and interfering from the start, and a husband that did not and still does not know where his loyalties lie, no wonder I am stressed to the hilts. Just some advice. Love DOES NOT CONQUER all. My marriage has been 50/50. As I now prepare my first born for college, I've looked back to the beginning and just wonder how I actually got through all this for so long. Well, being a woman is great. We are truly the stronger of the two sexes. Hurrah for womanhood and just one last note. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU AND TO THOSE WHO WILL SOON BE ENTERING THE KINGDOM.

[Cookie Glenn]

I am writing a book called Carpool Confessions©:Collected Consciousness and am seeking essay, poem and other written submissions on the subject of carpooling, life, being a parent, etc. This book is fun and an affirmation of the energy it takes to parent and always be there through rain, snow, late soccer games and other extra errands that always keep us inside our cars. Could you please list me on your site as link: carpoolconfessions@yahoo.com or http://carpoolconfessions.blogspot.com/ - Thank you, Cookie Glenn

[Cookie Glenn]

I am writing a book called Carpool Confessions©:Collected Consciousness and am seeking essay, poem and other written submissions on the subject of carpooling, life, being a parent, etc. This book is fun and an affirmation of the energy it takes to parent and always be there through rain, snow, late soccer games and other extra errands that always keep us inside our cars. Could you please list me on your site as link: carpoolconfessions@yahoo.com or http://carpoolconfessions.blogspot.com/ - Thank you, Cookie Glenn

[Cookie Glenn]

I am writing a book called Carpool Confessions©:Collected Consciousness and am seeking essay, poem and other written submissions on the subject of carpooling, life, being a parent, etc. This book is fun and an affirmation of the energy it takes to parent and always be there through rain, snow, late soccer games and other extra errands that always keep us inside our cars. Could you please list me on your site as link: carpoolconfessions@yahoo.com or http://carpoolconfessions.blogspot.com/ - Thank you, Cookie Glenn

[belinda]

hi i am a sigle mom. My son is 11 months old. I just recently got engaged by a man who is good to me and my son. We are not in love with one another, but we care for one another. My son's real father is not so loving to my son. i wished we could have worked it out. What should i do?

[cindy pfender]

4 kids--ages 15, 11,10, and 6

I swear, if someone doesn't make a reality show for mom's--I'm going to have to do it myself! There is no better reality than that experienced on a day to day basis than a mom.
Take for instance, 2 nights ago. My husband is away on business for 3 days. I am home w/ the 4 kids--plus, as always, a few extras. My 15 year old calls me to pick her up at 10pm. I proceed to take my 10 year old and make it about 2 miles past my house when the 98 Suburban starts puttering, and dies. Unfortunatly, the cell phone I have had for 3 years was "misplaced" that day--and I am in the dark, w/ a son who decided he didn't need his shoes, and no cell phone--we pull the truck over, walk home, call my daughter, beg for her boyfriend's mom to bring her home, get on a bike, ask my kids, "which of these 12 bikes doesn't have a flat", take my husband's which hasn't been ridden in years, and proceed to the truck, hoping it will turnover. Now it's approaching midnight, I get to the truck w/ no problem and try to start it--no luck. I get back on the bike and start riding home,, soon to realize the front tire is flat-I'm thinking--good thing I didn't waste an hour in spin class today. Midway to my house, I hear screams from a car-yelling my daughter's name--I said "no, this is her mother"--the driver pulls over, the passenger is a friend of my daughter's and has mistaken me for her--could it be the high school sweatshirt I donned as I was getting on my bike?? The drier asks "what grade I'm going into"--I said "honey, I'm 41"--I get home, park the bike, grab a glass of wine and wonder how I'm going to get 2 kids to camp in the morning. Luckily, the township police called and said it would be a good idea if I got a chance to "push" the truck to the side street--that was at 12:05am. I'm glad we're paying those tax dollars. Reality is much better than fiction.

[Kristi Vega]

What a great site! I have been here several times and love hearing what other moms have to say about motherhood. Your contributors are funny and insightful, I'm sure I'll be stopping by often.

[Naomi]

Having discovered your site tonight, I feel like I'm onto something great. Never new anything like this existed, but love to read and think and write, so I am rapt. I look forward to reading on a regular basis. Thank you for providing what seems to be an excellent resource / networking opportunity for parents.

[Kelli]

I just found your site and love it!! Kids are the best source for hilarious stories...I've got tons!

Keep up the great work!

[Sheri]

Love the site! Keep up the great work!

[Rochelle]

I look forward to reading these posts daily and would love to become a part of this community! What do I need to do? Sorry if my comments posted twice, my 2 year old son, who is currently in my lap, is a wannabe blogger!
Thanks,
Rochelle

[Rochelle]

I look forward to reading these posts daily and would love to become a part of this community!
Thanks,
Rochelle

[Amy Steier]

I'm very interested in being a DotMom. What do I need to do?

[VeganMomma]

I really enjoy this website. It is wonderful to see other blogging moms. I am a single Vegan mom with a 23-month-old (still nursing) Vegan daughter. I would love to become part of the group.

[Marcela de la Garza]

I am from Mexico, and I have 3 sons, 7, 5, 2 years. The one in the middle has problems to talk and behave. He is in therapy, sometimes, I wander if he will be normal one day, a doctor told us 2 years ago thet he is autist. Is the most terrible thing I have lived. Now another doctor told us that he is inmatura in his left saide of the brain. I am sure that the most horrible thing is knowing what is gonig to happen with him. I am 42 years and I feel too old to have such young sons. I am afraid of diyeng and live them alone. Sorry for my bad writing but English is not my first language.

[pregnancyweekly]

Great site. I enjoy it. :)
http://pregnancyweekly.blogspot.com/

[Richard Silverstein]

Heard about this site in the NYT article. I'm a blogging dad & happy that Julie's linked to me in the blogroll here. We just had twins (a boy & girl) & they'll be 10 weeks tomorrow!

The last substantive post I wrote about them concerned Adin's circumcision.

I have a slightly different take on daddy blogging than most. I write a section within my blog called "Children & Family," which includes not just personal stuff about my kids, but posts about social & political issues as they affect children & families.

I tell you one thing I hated about that NYT article was that the author seemed to think that by blogging about our babies we were somehow being obssessive or selfish or self-absorbed. I don't buy it. I think I'll go write a new post about this...

[Harold Davis]

Great site! I've added a link in my current entry, www.braintique.com/research/mt-archives/000042.shtml ...
obviously, I'm a pop not a mom (are they "dadaries?), but here are some pix of my kids: www.bearhome.com/kids/

Goog luck and best wishes

[bulkin]

dear all,
i am also writting about my three year old son in a blogging system called www.livejournal.com
it's a great system that allows people to keep a blogg of their own and then it allows you to have "communities" of people with the same interest

[Nancy Bea]

I really like your site. Good writing. Congratulations on the NYTimes publicity!

[GraceD]

Excellent site. Bravo!

Wish there was more on mothering middle schoolers. I volunteer for this!

[stacy]

For some reason when I try to join or anything my boyfriends email comes up and asks for the password...why is that? My email is mystic_fairy2000@yahoo.com. Can anyone tell me how to join without him being involved?