Meet The Parents (Who Blog)

By: Katie Couric
Topics: Katie Couric

(CBS)

I have to confess, before last Friday I didn't know very much about "Mommy Blogs." It wasn't a world I inhabited, and I wasn't sure what to expect.

The Silicon Valley Moms Group was in town for the annual BlogHer conference, a gathering for women entrepreneurs in the Web world, so we invited them to my office for a visit. There was no better way to learn who they were, and why they wrote about their lives online.

Many of these women blog from home while raising young children. Some have jobs outside the home and spend their free time online with their friends. All of them are smart, successful, and tech savvy.

Since the meeting I've been reading through some of the blogs to see what they're like and what subject matter they discuss.

It is not just cookie recipes and potty training tips. These women tackle everything from the 2008 presidential election to who will win American Idol. They exchange ideas, boost each other up, and keep each other informed about the world around them.

The comments on the blogs are as interesting as the entries themselves. Real conversations are happening on these sites. As one blogger from NYC Moms Blog said, it's like the world's biggest college classroom.

This cyber sorority is a support group, a safety net, a virtual how-to handbook on parenting, and a back fence to gossip over. In other words, a lot of the components of that famous "village" it takes to raise a child.

For many professional women, the prospect of giving up a career to stay home and raise children is bittersweet. In my own experience, there is nothing more rewarding than the time spent with my daughters. But it can be tough for moms to leave the challenges and social interaction of the workplace.

These bloggers have found a way to stay engaged, to stay active, and, in some cases, build successful second careers in the online world. And, if and when mommy bloggers want to return to the workforce, the blogs are a natural networking tool.

It makes you wonder, how did we do this before the Internet?

I look forward to learning more about my new online friends! Moms Rock!

I posted a video of some of the highlights from the afternoon on my YouTube channel.

Here are some links to the blogs represented in our meeting:

http://www.svmoms.com
http://www.chicagomomsblog.com
http://www.nycmomsblog.com
http://www.dcmetromoms.com
http://www.newjerseymomsblog.com
http://www.lamomsblog.com
http://www.50somethingmoms.com
http://www.savvyauntie.com
http://www.blogher.com

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by petersemkiw April 10, 2008 3:35 AM EDT: Wait till you see my abstract paintings!; Reply to this comment


by amott1973 April 10, 2008 1:36 AM EDT: It was great to see you meeting up with some of the great bloggers out there. As you start reading and following blogs I think you''ll find them as addicting as the rest of us do. Oh, and if you haven''t already discovered the joys of a feed reader, I tell you it''s the best internet tool I''ve come across in the last several years! I look forward to seeing you out in the blogosphere.; Reply to this comment


by PunditMom April 9, 2008 8:11 PM EDT: It was so great to meet you, and welcome to the "club!"; Reply to this comment


by classymommy April 8, 2008 1:49 PM EDT: Fabulous post! Sounds like you get it - for me my site & blog(http://www.classymommy.com)have been my way to connect with the outside world, other Moms, etc. while staying home with a toddler and newborn. I have an MBA and the stay home or work decision was difficult - but the web has given me the perfect intellectual outlet along with new biz opportunities that allow me to work from home and make many new friends.; Reply to this comment


by hollibobolli April 8, 2008 1:10 AM EDT: I really enjoyed our visit with you, and I hope to see much more of you in the blogosphere. I think you connect with women (and mothers) in your own unique way - blogging would be a natural outlet for you to share more "Katie wisdom" with the world. Thank you for being such a wonderful hostess.; Reply to this comment


by amy_mueller April 8, 2008 12:41 AM EDT: Katie,
It was wonderful connecting with you the other day and thank you for posting this. You''ve really hit the nail on the head.
Oh, my mom was THRILLED when she heard "your message" on her answering machine! Will post the video on my site soon.
(Amy from the Chicago Moms Blog); Reply to this comment


by devrarenner April 8, 2008 12:09 AM EDT: Katie, it was wonderful meeting with you and I hope to see you more around the blogosphere!; Reply to this comment


by amy_mueller April 7, 2008 11:34 PM EDT: Katie,
It was wonderful connecting with you the other day and thank you for posting this. You''ve really hit the nail on the head.
Oh, my mom was THRILLED when she heard "your message" on her answering machine! Will post the video on my site soon.
(Amy from the Chicago Moms Blog); Reply to this comment


by amy_mueller April 7, 2008 11:31 PM EDT: Katie,
It was fabulous meeting you and thank you for posting this. You''ve really hit the nail on the head. It was wonderful connecting with you and hope to hear more about your trials and tribulations as a mother in the workforce.
Oh, my mom was THRILLED when she heard "your message" on her answering machine. Will post a video on my site soon!; Reply to this comment


by petersemkiw April 7, 2008 11:01 PM EDT: Mommy Bloggers Rock ''n Roll,
They''re the favorites in our poll!
Mommy Bloggers know how to Twist ''n Shout,
Though they''re busy with no time outs!
Mommy Bloggers know how to spin ''n dry,
But there''s much more to them, than meets the eye!; Reply to this comment