What’s wrong with being a mummy blogger?

September 21, 2011

Recently I wrote a travel feature for a national newspaper site where they referred to me as a mummy blogger. And you know what? I have no problem with that at all.

I’ve been a mummy blogger for three and a half years now. I’m very confident in my ability as a journalist and writer, and I’ve never felt constrained by the term ‘mummy blogger’ – I’m proud of being a mum, and I’m proud of being a blogger, hence, er, the name of my blog.

And yet I know some bloggers who are also parents really struggle with the idea of being referred to as ‘mum’ or ‘mummy’ bloggers.

Personally I don’t see why being a ‘mummy’ or ‘mum’ or ‘parent’ blogger’ has to confine the topics you blog about, or the way you blog about them. You won’t find me writing about nappies or nits on this blog, but I do share my opinions, my taste in men, travel, beauty and entertainment reviews.

I never consider myself to be ‘just’ a mum. But I am a mum and I’m bloody proud of it, it is my biggest achievement. So is there really anything wrong with being a mum blogger?

I’d love to know what you think.

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  • Mid 30s Life September 27, 2011 at 9:03 am

    I don’t call myself a Mummy Blogger, I’m a mummy and a blogger but I’m not a Mummy Blogger. If someone else calls me that I don’t mind though. The kids do get a mention in my blog, but I don’t write about parenting so much, for me blogging is something I do that is separate from parenting (if that makes sense).

    One word I do hate though is “mumpreneur!!” Urgh!! It’s like “I want to call you an entrepeneur but you’re a mum, so I’ll combine them.” You never hear of a “dadpreneur” do you?

  • Natalie September 22, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    Absolutely agree. Being a mum is the biggest, most important thing I’ve ever achieved.

    I also happen to be v ambitious and career-oriented but it doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. In my own time I lobby for support for mums with postnatal illness and wear the mum badge on my sleeve with pride.

    All these things are part of who we are – this is the important thing, not the label we give ourselves.

  • mummiafelice September 22, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    I have no problem at all with it. I refer to myself as a Mummy Blogger! Like Ali said, when I was first called a Mummy Blogger, I was quite chuffed!!

    I’ve never understood why some get annoyed about the term. I don’t see it as a ‘label’ as such.

  • Mags September 22, 2011 at 12:15 pm

    I have absolutely no problem being referred to as a Mummy blogger, in fact I am quite proud of it! I don’t understand why people take issue with it. Facts are facts if you’re a mummy and a blogger who writes about family, parenting and so on in any way you are a Mummy Blogger, it’s as simple as 1+1=2 in my mind.

    The only time I can see people take issue with it is if they blog about a specific subject for example technology, politics or food and their posts are not coming from a parents viewpoint on these subjects. Then it becomes irrelevant whether they are a mummy or not and are a different type of blogger.

  • lucy September 22, 2011 at 8:45 am

    There is nothing at all ‘wrong’ with being a mummy blogger. Just as there is nothing wrong with choosing not to refer to yourself as one, even though you couldn’t care less if someone called you one – like me.
    Becoming a mum at 21 quickly taught me that being a mummy would always come first. I like to think that priority is so obvious it doesn’t need to be constantly mentioned.
    Also, I wouldn’t want to put child-less people off reading my blog, or fathers who don’t focus their blog around family life.
    Dare I admit that occasionally, I like to take the spotlight off me with the mummy hat on, and just be me? Living with 4 males can leave you feeling ‘forgotten’.
    Either way, we should all work to avoid a ‘them and us’ situation. I read good blogs only, and they come in all guises.

  • Joanne Watkinson September 22, 2011 at 7:54 am

    I remember being hesitant about starting a fashion blog because i was concerned my opinions would condradict my job as a buyer, but starting a “mummy blog” meant my i was given the freedom to discuss what ever i wanted, mummy related or not (more often not) but as for the title mummy blogger…it is what it is!!

  • Nikki - A Mother in France September 21, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    I must admit someone called me a mummy blogger the other day and it made me recoil slightly and I’m not really sure why. But I have called myself “A Mother in France”, so I can’t really argue with that. I’m not only a mother of course and I blog about lots of other things, but I feel my most important job is being a mother, so I should be proud to call myself a Mummy Blogger.

  • Sarah September 21, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    I have had some negative, sometimes snotty, comments on my blog because although I do write about our children and being a mum, my kids are teenagers and my blog style is sarcastic and meant to be witty (hopefully) instead of all about the wonderful experience of having children. I suppose for that reason I wouldn’t want to be called a mummy blogger because it appears to set an expectation and I don’t like to disappoint!

  • clare nicholas September 21, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    I agree, *Stands up and shouts

    My Name is Clare (Emmys Mummy) and i’m proud to be a Mummy Blogger.

    I only started at the beginning of July but i’m meeting new people, making new friends and have already had some fantastic doors opened for me.

    Its a whole new world and im loving it.

  • Susan Mann September 21, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    I am proud to be called a mummy blogger. I am a mum and I blog about my children amongst other things. But I’m not just a mummy blogger. I am proud to be both x

  • Insomniac Mummy September 21, 2011 at 8:43 pm

    I guess it’s subjective. I called my blog Insomniac Mummy, so yes, it’d be pretty hard for me to escape the ‘Mummy Blogger’ label. It doesn’t bother me, but then I tend to bang to the beat of my own drum, so you can label me what you like, I’ll just carry on being me!

    I can understand why some bloggers get all het up about it. I think the term can sometimes have a ‘one size fits all’ feel and I’ve seen the it used in a derogatory manner. If you just happen to be a mum who blogs but don’t want to be involved in the ‘Mummy Blogger’ community I guess it could be a bit frustrating? Who knows.

    Being a mummy blogger has afforded me opportunities I’d never have otherwise had, and for the I am thankful!

    🙂

  • claire creaser September 21, 2011 at 8:39 pm

    I just worry because I blog about something totally un-mummy related. If someone just saw that i was labelled a mummy blogger and clicked on it for advice or to see if everybody has the ups and downs of parenthood they would choke on their hob-nobs and probably be crying in their brews.
    The other argument is that people may click on it, realise its not mummy based but actually like what they see.
    I suppose its narrow-mindedness that makes people think a mummy blogger is all about school-runs and snot, or that a ginger-blogger (thats me lol) is all about being bullied.
    xx

    • Insomniac Mummy September 21, 2011 at 8:50 pm

      Oooo, I guess I’m a ginger blogger too! *waves*

      🙂

  • Ali September 21, 2011 at 8:29 pm

    What nicer title I say even as a newish blogger I am more than happy to be called a Mummy Blogger in fact it makes me feel quite proud!!! 🙂

  • Karin @ Cafe Bebe September 21, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    Great question Liz. Why is it so OFFENSIVE to some? I don’t get it. I could understand if people were labelling someone as a Mummy Blogger and that blogger never blogged about being a mum or parenting issues but guess what, I do all of that and then some. That makes me a Mummy Blogger and I’m proud to be one.
    Karin

  • Crystal Jigsaw September 21, 2011 at 8:21 pm

    Agree. Just because you’re classed as a mummy blogger doesn’t mean all you have to blog about is mummy issues. I have no problem with it either. I’m a mum, I’m a blogger, and I’m very proud to be both.

    CJ xx

  • English Mum September 21, 2011 at 8:13 pm

    I don’t mind at all. The only thing is these days I don’t get called ‘mummy’ any more so I guess I’ve ‘matured’ (ahaha) into a mum blogger now!

  • Mummy's Little Monkey (@Jax2000) September 21, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I have absolutely no probs with being called a Mummy Blogger. I’m a Mum. I blog. It doesn’t mean I can’t do anything else. xx

  • claire creaser September 21, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    I think everything you have written is true, What annoys me more is the fact how everyone has a label…..mummy, yummy, slummy, alkie, druggie, no-one should label anybody anything, but then if people are happy with their labels then thats fine.

    http://www.survivingaftersuicide.blogspot.com