Comments on: Can You Be a Good Parent and a Good Blogger? http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/ Trusted Insights and Conversations on the Next Wave of Technology Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:44:08 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Stacey Higginbotham http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915863 Stacey Higginbotham Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:48:47 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915863 <p>Wow, thanks guys for all the food for thought on this. I agree with those of you who think that time management isn't the way to manage this issue, as I tend to view that as the opposite of passionate. Passion dictates I spend Sunday morning writing about the latest NY Times article on privacy as soon as I read it, rather than ignore it until Sunday night or Monday in favor of spending time with my daughter. Time managment is what allows me to be a credible reporter and writer for the site as well as a working parent (that and a supportive spouse much like Scoble credits).</p> <p>I think the key is blogging is seen as more than "just a job," and that's something I can't sign up for while being the parent to a young child. As blogs change and become more like news outlets that is changing, but for all those hardcore bloggers out there, passion is what attracts and keeps the audience. Om does a lot of that for GigaOM, and I'm glad to augment those efforts.</p> Wow, thanks guys for all the food for thought on this. I agree with those of you who think that time management isn’t the way to manage this issue, as I tend to view that as the opposite of passionate. Passion dictates I spend Sunday morning writing about the latest NY Times article on privacy as soon as I read it, rather than ignore it until Sunday night or Monday in favor of spending time with my daughter. Time managment is what allows me to be a credible reporter and writer for the site as well as a working parent (that and a supportive spouse much like Scoble credits).

I think the key is blogging is seen as more than “just a job,” and that’s something I can’t sign up for while being the parent to a young child. As blogs change and become more like news outlets that is changing, but for all those hardcore bloggers out there, passion is what attracts and keeps the audience. Om does a lot of that for GigaOM, and I’m glad to augment those efforts.

]]> By: Heather Kennedy http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915693 Heather Kennedy Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:38:27 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915693 <p>I think it is a mistake to think that because you are a parent and a writer you need to "blog" about one or the other. In the four plus years of parenthood, I've done it all from message boards, to private blogs, to public blogs w/ comments to my present and final incarnation.</p> <p>I think I reflect point #2 of the 43folders link. Photography has always been my passion. Yes, I did get the English degree, but I still hate grammar. I've come to accept that there is no market for my niche. I'm starting my own (very) small consulting company that will allow me to do who knows what.</p> <p>Honestly? This post/article/entry of yours is entirely more interesting to me on so many levels than you going on and on and on about your two year old. No offense, but mine drives me batty enough all day long.</p> <p>I'm a thinker, an observer and not so suited to the status blogging/mommy blogging world.</p> <p>What tells me you're not made for traditional blogging is that my "comment" is more of a narrative reply. ;-)</p> <p>Good parent and good blogger? Kind of like asking good + appetite = good + chef</p> I think it is a mistake to think that because you are a parent and a writer you need to “blog” about one or the other. In the four plus years of parenthood, I’ve done it all from message boards, to private blogs, to public blogs w/ comments to my present and final incarnation.

I think I reflect point #2 of the 43folders link. Photography has always been my passion. Yes, I did get the English degree, but I still hate grammar. I’ve come to accept that there is no market for my niche. I’m starting my own (very) small consulting company that will allow me to do who knows what.

Honestly? This post/article/entry of yours is entirely more interesting to me on so many levels than you going on and on and on about your two year old. No offense, but mine drives me batty enough all day long.

I’m a thinker, an observer and not so suited to the status blogging/mommy blogging world.

What tells me you’re not made for traditional blogging is that my “comment” is more of a narrative reply. ;-)

Good parent and good blogger? Kind of like asking good + appetite = good + chef

]]> By: Casey http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915613 Casey Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:36 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915613 <p>I am, what they call, a budding "mommy blogger," and I have learned that the success of a blog (which mine is not yet a "success" in terms of followers) depends on the audience you are trying to reach. If your audience has the same passions you do, then likely you will find many who want to hear the blending of your passion for technology and how it relates to your life as a mom, professional writer, etc. I spoke to several friends of mine who are "mommies" and I have yet to find them searching for the most successful blog or the one that teaches them something. Most are writing and reading blogs just to keep others posted about their daily endeavors. I am branching out trying to help moms who need something more than an update on their friend's kids. I like the blogs that not only teach something but include why they are interested in that subject. If you love technology and it reminds you of your role as a mom in the process, then, by all means, share that.</p> I am, what they call, a budding “mommy blogger,” and I have learned that the success of a blog (which mine is not yet a “success” in terms of followers) depends on the audience you are trying to reach. If your audience has the same passions you do, then likely you will find many who want to hear the blending of your passion for technology and how it relates to your life as a mom, professional writer, etc. I spoke to several friends of mine who are “mommies” and I have yet to find them searching for the most successful blog or the one that teaches them something. Most are writing and reading blogs just to keep others posted about their daily endeavors. I am branching out trying to help moms who need something more than an update on their friend’s kids. I like the blogs that not only teach something but include why they are interested in that subject. If you love technology and it reminds you of your role as a mom in the process, then, by all means, share that.

]]> By: Lynette28 http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915552 Lynette28 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 08:56:22 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915552 <p>Oh yeah, you can be both - just the quality in the way you do both, counts :)</p> Oh yeah, you can be both – just the quality in the way you do both, counts :)

]]> By: gabriela grosseck http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915531 gabriela grosseck Sun, 30 Nov 2008 06:35:32 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915531 <p>I have to say being a good parent and a good blogger sometimes doesn't fit together and the time mangement isn't the solution. I have 3 kids , the youngest has 6 , I am a teacher (ICT in education) and there are moments when I pray for days with 25 hours. Didn't find out how to cope with this but I would love to hear a practical solution for teaching+moming+ researching+and other things a women need to do in her life.</p> I have to say being a good parent and a good blogger sometimes doesn’t fit together and the time mangement isn’t the solution. I have 3 kids , the youngest has 6 , I am a teacher (ICT in education) and there are moments when I pray for days with 25 hours. Didn’t find out how to cope with this but I would love to hear a practical solution for teaching+moming+ researching+and other things a women need to do in her life.

]]> By: Despre bloguri, altfel « Social media, Web 2.0, daily digital life stuffs http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915416 Despre bloguri, altfel « Social media, Web 2.0, daily digital life stuffs Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:02:08 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915416 <p>[...] in articolul intitulat “Can you be a good parent and a good blogger?”, preluat de aici, pune punctul pe “i”, cel putin in opinia mea. A fi mama inseamna deja a avea o slujba [...]</p> [...] in articolul intitulat “Can you be a good parent and a good blogger?”, preluat de aici, pune punctul pe “i”, cel putin in opinia mea. A fi mama inseamna deja a avea o slujba [...]

]]> By: jennifer http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915231 jennifer Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:25:28 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915231 <p>Yes , that is really possible. This is about time management.... If you could manage your time in such way that you give plenty of time to your kids and the rest spare time to blogging...Nothing is impossible....</p> Yes , that is really possible. This is about time management…. If you could manage your time in such way that you give plenty of time to your kids and the rest spare time to blogging…Nothing is impossible….

]]> By: The World of Araki » Blogging http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915175 The World of Araki » Blogging Sat, 29 Nov 2008 01:37:20 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915175 <p>[...] came across an interesting post on Gigaom wondering if you can be a good parent and a good blogger. There are actually few parent bloggers who are good, and far fewer who are [...]</p> [...] came across an interesting post on Gigaom wondering if you can be a good parent and a good blogger. There are actually few parent bloggers who are good, and far fewer who are [...]

]]> By: Rich Miller http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915151 Rich Miller Fri, 28 Nov 2008 22:07:38 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915151 <p>It can work both ways. In my case, blogging has helped me be a far more attentive parent. I can spend time at my home office instead of in a newspaper newsroom, and regularly use autoposting to make time for doctors appointments and school events. It sometimes mean I write late at night so I can do things with the boys during what would normally be office hours. But I can plan that. There are lots of days when breaking news still ties me down, but it's much different from when I was in the newsroom, chained to the desk and on the clock building someone else's brand.</p> It can work both ways. In my case, blogging has helped me be a far more attentive parent. I can spend time at my home office instead of in a newspaper newsroom, and regularly use autoposting to make time for doctors appointments and school events. It sometimes mean I write late at night so I can do things with the boys during what would normally be office hours. But I can plan that. There are lots of days when breaking news still ties me down, but it’s much different from when I was in the newsroom, chained to the desk and on the clock building someone else’s brand.

]]> By: Kim http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915113 Kim Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:35:10 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915113 <p>I think passion definitely is the key. I really want to maintain both a professional and a personal blog - there is so much I want to share, say, discuss with others, etc. But I guess my passion level isn't high enough for me, after my regular work hours and the bit of social networking I squeeze in, to take another hour or so away from my husband and two teenagers, to devote myself to blogging. Sometimes it makes me feel a bit deficient in my professional arena -- after all, doesn't everybody who's anybody have both a hefty social networking and blogging reputation? I'm still struggling with the social networking time! Then I think of passions and priorities and I see my kids, not my computer.</p> <p>Does that mean that those of you with a passion for digital life are bad parents? I don't think so. But I do think that, if you want some semblence of balance, you need to work a little extra hard to carve some time away from the computer screen, just as I need to work a little harder to carve out some digital time.</p> I think passion definitely is the key. I really want to maintain both a professional and a personal blog – there is so much I want to share, say, discuss with others, etc. But I guess my passion level isn’t high enough for me, after my regular work hours and the bit of social networking I squeeze in, to take another hour or so away from my husband and two teenagers, to devote myself to blogging. Sometimes it makes me feel a bit deficient in my professional arena — after all, doesn’t everybody who’s anybody have both a hefty social networking and blogging reputation? I’m still struggling with the social networking time! Then I think of passions and priorities and I see my kids, not my computer.

Does that mean that those of you with a passion for digital life are bad parents? I don’t think so. But I do think that, if you want some semblence of balance, you need to work a little extra hard to carve some time away from the computer screen, just as I need to work a little harder to carve out some digital time.

]]> By: botchagalupe http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915076 botchagalupe Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:18:43 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915076 <p>Stacey,</p> <p>I am no where's near the writer you are, however, I was asked a similar question in a blog article by the IT Skeptic. Here is the question and answer if you are interested...</p> <p>Skep: Your blog intermingles life and work. Some say this is the future as the distinction disappears. Others say it is unhealthy. What are your views?</p> <p>John: This is a great question. They say blogging is like having Tourette Syndrome. You can say anything you want and who cares what it sounds like. When I started my blog, I really had no agenda. I figured I would ramble about IT management and if no one listened that would be fine. I am also a wannabe entrepreneur and I am always looking at new technologies to blog about. In the Tourette model I just can't keep my mouth shut when I see something interesting, even if it doesn't have anything to do with IT management. I also have two boys, 5 and 9, and I am very interested in education technologies as well. Somewhere along the way I started interjecting personal and family stories as blog articles. After I started getting a little bit of a following on my blog, I thought I should really take my blog more seriously. I thought of dropping the personal and silly stories and sticking with more of a marketing focus on IT management. Then one day I ran into a very successful PR person at an airport lounge and she told me that she loved my blog and that she reads it religiously. I told her that I thought I should stop doing what I call "Silly Stories" on my blog because it might not seem professional. She then asked me, "Is the blog your job or your hobby?". I told her I really didn't know the answer to that question. She then told me "The reason I like your blog is because it's you!" and that's what, in her opinion, makes it great. Then I realized why I created the blog in the first place. For now I guess my blog is just a hobby and I therefore I will just keep having a lot of fun doing it.</p> <p>--</p> <p>For me blogging would not be fun and I wouldn't waste my time if I couldn't jot down what ever was in my head at the time it hits me.</p> <p>John johnmwillis.com</p> Stacey,

I am no where’s near the writer you are, however, I was asked a similar question in a blog article by the IT Skeptic. Here is the question and answer if you are interested…

Skep: Your blog intermingles life and work. Some say this is the future as the distinction disappears. Others say it is unhealthy. What are your views?

John: This is a great question. They say blogging is like having Tourette Syndrome. You can say anything you want and who cares what it sounds like. When I started my blog, I really had no agenda. I figured I would ramble about IT management and if no one listened that would be fine. I am also a wannabe entrepreneur and I am always looking at new technologies to blog about. In the Tourette model I just can’t keep my mouth shut when I see something interesting, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with IT management. I also have two boys, 5 and 9, and I am very interested in education technologies as well. Somewhere along the way I started interjecting personal and family stories as blog articles. After I started getting a little bit of a following on my blog, I thought I should really take my blog more seriously. I thought of dropping the personal and silly stories and sticking with more of a marketing focus on IT management. Then one day I ran into a very successful PR person at an airport lounge and she told me that she loved my blog and that she reads it religiously. I told her that I thought I should stop doing what I call “Silly Stories” on my blog because it might not seem professional. She then asked me, “Is the blog your job or your hobby?”. I told her I really didn’t know the answer to that question. She then told me “The reason I like your blog is because it’s you!” and that’s what, in her opinion, makes it great. Then I realized why I created the blog in the first place. For now I guess my blog is just a hobby and I therefore I will just keep having a lot of fun doing it.

–

For me blogging would not be fun and I wouldn’t waste my time if I couldn’t jot down what ever was in my head at the time it hits me.

John johnmwillis.com

]]> By: Abigail http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915064 Abigail Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:56:54 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915064 <p>I was captivated by your reference to slow blogging; a movement us born! I have a deep need for responsible, well thought out blogging. I have no need whatsoever for more Mommy blogs. Look at Hendrik Hertzberg's blog for the New Yorker online - it's an example of perfect and passionate slow blogging with plenty of his sublime personality.</p> I was captivated by your reference to slow blogging; a movement us born! I have a deep need for responsible, well thought out blogging. I have no need whatsoever for more Mommy blogs. Look at Hendrik Hertzberg’s blog for the New Yorker online – it’s an example of perfect and passionate slow blogging with plenty of his sublime personality.

]]> By: ¿Se puede ser buen bloguer y padre a la vez? | La Brujula Verde http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915057 ¿Se puede ser buen bloguer y padre a la vez? | La Brujula Verde Fri, 28 Nov 2008 12:09:00 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915057 <p>[...] me ha gustado mucho un artículo de Stacey Higginbotham (Gigaom) en el que se pregunta si se puede ser al mismo tiempo buena madre y buena [...]</p> [...] me ha gustado mucho un artículo de Stacey Higginbotham (Gigaom) en el que se pregunta si se puede ser al mismo tiempo buena madre y buena [...]

]]> By: Jesse Stay http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915008 Jesse Stay Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:01:51 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915008 <p>Some of the best parents I know are also bloggers. With 4 kids, I certainly try, and IMO forcing myself to learn to balance and organize has made me a better person, and I think a better person. Look at Phil Burns - http://phil801.com/wpblog - he has 10 kids, and his daughter has Leukemia, yet he's one of the better bloggers I know. He's taken a break recently with his daughter's leukemia, but frankly, I think it's the ability to multi-task that also allows us to know when to take a break as well to focus on what matters most.</p> Some of the best parents I know are also bloggers. With 4 kids, I certainly try, and IMO forcing myself to learn to balance and organize has made me a better person, and I think a better person. Look at Phil Burns – http://phil801.com/wpblog – he has 10 kids, and his daughter has Leukemia, yet he’s one of the better bloggers I know. He’s taken a break recently with his daughter’s leukemia, but frankly, I think it’s the ability to multi-task that also allows us to know when to take a break as well to focus on what matters most.

]]> By: Allen http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915004 Allen Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:05:05 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915004 <p>What is blogging these days? I dont think that it is still a <em>requirement</em> to engage your audience by responding to comments in real time as they come in 24x7 from time zones across the globe. You're no longer expected to be a lone wolf beating the establishment. If you blog needs to post at 4am PST then there is a team perhaps in other parts of the world that can let you sleep.</p> <p>These days you can be a blogger from 9 to 5 (or 8 to 8 anyway) just like a normal job. That doesn't make it any easier to be good at your job and a good parent at the same time. But there is plenty of evidence that this is possible, not easy, but possible anyway.</p> What is blogging these days? I dont think that it is still a requirement to engage your audience by responding to comments in real time as they come in 24×7 from time zones across the globe. You’re no longer expected to be a lone wolf beating the establishment. If you blog needs to post at 4am PST then there is a team perhaps in other parts of the world that can let you sleep.

These days you can be a blogger from 9 to 5 (or 8 to 8 anyway) just like a normal job. That doesn’t make it any easier to be good at your job and a good parent at the same time. But there is plenty of evidence that this is possible, not easy, but possible anyway.

]]> By: Robert Scoble http://gigaom.com/2008/11/27/can-you-be-a-good-parent-and-a-good-blogger/#comment-915000 Robert Scoble Fri, 28 Nov 2008 02:18:00 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=30165#comment-915000 <p>I am far from a good parent. If it weren't for my kids' moms I wouldn't be able to do 1/10th the blogging I can. Blogging is best when it is passionate and authoritative. It isn't for everyone but I work my passions together. When my 14-year-old son was able to argue with the FCC Commissioner about censorship and child protection issues in a polite and credible way I knew he will be all right in whatever he chooses to do in life.</p> I am far from a good parent. If it weren’t for my kids’ moms I wouldn’t be able to do 1/10th the blogging I can. Blogging is best when it is passionate and authoritative. It isn’t for everyone but I work my passions together. When my 14-year-old son was able to argue with the FCC Commissioner about censorship and child protection issues in a polite and credible way I knew he will be all right in whatever he chooses to do in life.

]]>