Being A Mom Blogger. Expectation Vs. Reality

2018 was the year of the mom blogger. Everyone I knew was starting a blog and for good reason. As a mom blogger, it’s safe to say that we are indeed the shit. Raising kids, cooking, cleaning, AND managing a whole website is not easy. Don’t even get me started on having to explain to your child why they have to take a picture in the middle of the grocery store with a carton of chocolate milk. Seriously, it’s a tough job but we’re happy to do it (for the most part). Blogging has it pros and cons like anything else. You have to deal with people copying your blog posts, people from your hometown wanting to blog just because you’re doing it *eye roll*, and other bloggers trying to finesse you out of your hard earned money. It gets real out here on the internet! I rounded up a few mom bloggers to help explain just how real it is

Expectation: When I first started blogging, the goal was to become a paid blogger.
Reality: While I did achieve that goal, It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be and I haven’t done it consistently yet.

Expectation: “I thought it would be a simple side project.”
Reality: “I have to balance my energy for wanting to blog and develop content with making sure that I’m present and providing for my family as well.” – Lina @ Mightemadeit.com

Expectation: I thought that with being in mom blogger groups, I would make some friends who wouldn’t mind helping me along the way . . .
Reality: Y’all . . . I did make a lot of blogging friends, but mom bloggers can be some of THE pettiest people ever. Like, extremely petty.

Expectation: “I expected to be the type of blogger with a picture perfect social media timeline that blows up almost instantly.”
Reality: “It has been much more fun being authentic, engaging with real people, and saying a few curse words along the way.” – Tiara @ Chicanddomestic.com

Expectation: “I thought I would be able to post a couple of times a week with no interruptions.”
Reality: “That hasn’t been the case. Life happens! I got pregnant, and sometimes I just don’t feel like blogging.” – Kisha @ Thekishaproject.com

Expectation: I expected my children to cooperate in my blogging shenanigans.
Reality: Long story short, they don’t.

Expectation: ” I jumped into blogging toward the end of 2018 because I love sharing my take on motherhood. From all of the pretty Instagram posts and mom bloggers I follow on social media, I figured it couldn’t be that hard. Just shoot from the hip, share, and big brands will contact you to collaborate.”
Reality: ” I learned that you have to be creative in the way you share content so that you don’t blend in with other bloggers. I also learned that blogging is time consuming. I once spent 6 hours on ONE post.” Kiva @ pursuinghappiness4ever.com

Expectation: Big brands have a lot of money, so they wouldn’t mind paying bloggers what they’re worth.
Reality: Most brands will want you to do a photoshoot, blog post, social media posts, and offer your first born in exchange for a free product. That’s it, that’s all.

Expectation: “It’s a job I can do while being a SAHM.”
Realilty: “The second my kids see me on the computer they’re all over me. I have to make time to work on my blog.” Paula @ Thanksmommyblog.com

Expectation: I thought that once my blog was established, I’d have more support from family and friends.
Reality: Most of them don’t even know my blog url . . .

Expectation: “I planned to take a bunch of cute pictures of my kids and make money.”
Reality: “They don’t cooperate” – Ashley @ Mommyandmoon.com

Expectation: “Getting up early to type a few words before my household wakes, and the day begins.”
Reality: “I can’t help but sleep until the last minute.” – Debbie @ Mercidebbie.com

Expectation: ” Write frequent entries on my blog.”
Reality: “Take tons of photos to share on social media and express my thoughts through the captions.” – Haley @ Mywanderlusttribe.wordpress.com

Expectation: ” I thought mom blogging would be easy.”
Reality: “Daily I’m working through figuring out content while typing with one hand and feeding toddlers with the other.” Christa @ Thewilliamsparty.com

I think it’s safe to say that we all underestimated just how much time and effort goes into blogging. I have gone months without writing a word because I was burned out. Blogging can be rewarding, but it can also drain you if you let it. Shoutout to the mom bloggers from Mom Blogger’s Unite, and The Black Blogger’s Collective for helping me with this post. As always, both groups are accepting new members.

Chantal

Hi, I’m Chantal. I’m a mom of two, self proclaimed naturalista, and Author of Growing Girls With Curls: Short Stories For Girls of Color. Being a mom is hard. Pair that with being a single, black, millennial in America and it’s a whole different monster. Feel free to join my mailing list and follow along as I blog through this crazy thing called life.