10 great blogs every working mum should read

For most people, 'blogger' is synonymous with 'boring', 'geeky', 'self indulgent' and most of all 'pointless'. And most people are right - of the 55 million blogs in the world, at least 99.9% are unreadable. Fortunately, that leaves 55,000 half-decent blogs, so you're bound to find something you like. Here are a few of our favourites, in no particular order. Please let us know what you're reading in the comments:

1. Babble
New site launched by the people behind the the high-end sex site Nerve.com. It's great-looking and very arty, with articles about taking your kids to Japan and plenty of unfeasibly well groomed columnists.
Representative quote: "Once upon a time I was new to the playground scene.  I used to wear things like white cords and vintage trainers that I didn’t want to mess up."

2. Juggle
Wall Street Journal property writer Sara Schaefer Munoz writes a serious, grown-up blog about the issues facing busy mums.
Representative quote: "While the nanny-parent relationship is a situation that exists outside the traditional workplace structure, it’s arguably one of the most important managerial challenges working parents have."

3. Dooce
Dooce is written by Heather B Armstrong, the granny of mummy bloggers (although she's only 31) who was the first person to be fired for writing a blog - she was working. She also runs the womens TV network Alpha Mom (no relation)
Representative quote: "My two siblings and I shared an Alvin and the Chipmunks Christmas collection that we played until it crumbled into pieces."

4. MamaPop
They explain it better than anyone else could: "This site contains the drug-addled, sleep-deprived, semi-coherent pop-culture-related musings of two smartass stay-at-home mothers"
Representative quote: "All we need is for Comedy Central to stop being PUSSIES and add 24 hours of Bad Santa, and I will never have to speak to any of my relatives again"

5. Parent Hacks
Geek mums and dads are always looking for better ways do to simple things. Parent Hacks collects all their wisdom into one place.
Representative quote: "A family friend's son resisted potty training, so she put a ping-pong ball in the toilet bowl and had him aim at it. Aiming at the ball helped the little fella keep his concentration. Neat hey?"

6. Kiddley
It's almost unbearably delightfully perky and American Australian but and Kiddley presents looking after kids as one long series of fun DIY projects involving glitter, papier mache and double-sided sticky tape.
Representative quote: "Making a gumdrop wreath is fast, fun, and really easy." (Ooops: Not American but Australian, thanks for pointing that out.)

7. Motherhood Uncensored
Written by Kristen Chase "author, musician, college professor and designer shoe glutton" who also runs the mummy shopping site http://www.coolmompicks.com/
Representative quote: "I can think of about 1402 reasons right off the top of my head why it sucks to live with my in-laws"

8. LifeHacker
How to do anything better - from editing photos to flying with kids to making wrapping paper with Microsoft Word.
Representative quote: "When your old iPod has been replaced by a newer model or simply won't run on battery power, repurpose it into a travel backup drive."

9. The Happiness Project
Lawyer and writer Gretchen Rubin is spending a year trying out every life-improving tip she can find, from Aristotle to Oprah, and reporting back on what works.
Representative quote: "This Wednesday: Tips...for being a more light-hearted parent. #1. At least once a day, make each child helpless with laughter."

10. Isn't she talking yet?
Our friend and Sunday Times columnist India Knight writes a wonderful blog about children with special needs.
(Not entirely) Representative quote: "Why, why, WHY do toy manufacturers do this STUPID thing every Christmas of launching a new product and then DELIBERATELY creating a vast chasm between supply and demand?"

Can you recommend any more?

Comments

[Female Sexual Enhancer]

The best information on Natural Female Libido Enhancers is www.divasloveshop.com

[homeofficemum]

http://homeofficemum.blogspot.com is my blog about being a mum, running a business from home, looking after kids and trying to stay sane.

[Luis Perla]

Read the blog and I love it I will becoming back here alot. Check mine out to
http://discount-ipod.blogspot.com

[Zx2]

Hello, nice blog you have! Check out mine, i have a website with http://quoteshall.com/

[mark jones]

Where could I go to tell mums/parents about my web based educational CBT product
www.AnimalAgentz.com
Read in May 2008

[mark jones]

Where would I go to tell mums/parents about my web based educational CBT product
www.AnimalAgentz.com

Quotes on Animal Agentz:

"This is perfect and what me and my family have been waiting years for. My 9 yr old has A.D.H.D and presents behavioural difficulties. His biological father rejected him a yr ago and this hasn't helped, his self esteem is very low and finds making new friends very stressful. The local social services tell me he needs therapy like this but are unable to provide it! I am having to pay a private therapist to help my son so when this comes in which I know would benefit many parents that I email, talk to etc then I can guarantee at least 15 sales for definite....where do I order!!!! Great idea and very user friendly, fab idea and so much needed for the 21st century where many children face daily struggles with little or no help and so they suffer. I am in 100% support of this stimulating and so much needed idea!" Mrs Garvey, East Yorkshire

“Responses from independent research conducted by Mum’sViews Ltd”

Note ready in May 2008

[Bioliee]

Intrinsa for Female Sexual Dysfunction. Intrinsa is a new patch for women who have lost their desire to have sex and suffered from sexual dysfunction.

http://www.healthexpress.co.uk/intrinsa.html

[Bev]

And my shameless self promotion comment straight from my hippy house and not so hippy family; 'Am bit of a control freak, like to know exactly where my things are, but horror of horrors my Pritt Stick was missing.'..can be found at http://tattyhousehastings.blogspot.com/

[chukster]

yeah thanks for the cool mum pics aswell.

http://kristen-davis-sex-tape.wedding-review.info/main.htm

[Sharron]

A new blog which is about a Mum who is trying to successfully raise 4 kids (3 teenage girls and a 7 yr old son)as well as putting up with her husband (The Pig). Please check it out. http://marriedwithfour.wordpress.com

[Cialis]

You are about to view the cheapest online cialis offer. Have a glance and make sure that you aren't already paying more!!!

http://forum.springframework.org/member.php?u=34407 cheap discount cialis
http://www.wowzamedia.com/forums/member.php?u=1370 discount cialis online
http://www.digitalcamerainfo.com/bbs/member.php?u=1867 buy cialis online
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/forums/member.php?u=2534 buy discount cialis online

[Levitra]

Only in us order levitra with the discount today! Convenient system of payment + home delivery! Hurry

up! Lowest Prices on the web and a system of discounts!!! Only FDA Approved pills!
http://www.actionscript.org/forums/member.php3?u=64576 buy discount levitra online
http://www.actionscript.org/forums/member.php3?u=64577 buy discount levitra
http://dealdatabase.com/forum/member.php?u=68560 discount levitra
http://forums.ipodhacks.com/showthread.php?p=64968 buy discount levitra online

[Levitra]

Only in us order levitra with the discount today! Convenient system of payment + home delivery! Hurry

up! Lowest Prices on the web and a system of discounts!!! Only FDA Approved pills!
http://www.actionscript.org/forums/member.php3?u=64576 buy discount levitra online
http://www.actionscript.org/forums/member.php3?u=64577 buy discount levitra
http://dealdatabase.com/forum/member.php?u=68560 discount levitra
http://forums.ipodhacks.com/showthread.php?p=64968 buy discount levitra online

[caroline]

www.mumsclick.com

Is the site for me time for mothers!

[caroline]

Not a blogging site, but even if I say so myself, a funky up-to-date resource site for the mummy who values her own interests and social life as well as being a mum! Take a look, think you will be surprised.

[Charlotte Faux]

I'm making a documentary about the problems of pregnancy and big babies. If you are pregnant and you think you might be having a big baby I'd love to hear from you. Email me at charlottefaux@scarlet-tv.co.uk

[Isabella]

God Mum you're sooo embarrassing. If you're going to advertise my blog to all and sundry, at least make the link active. You old fogey!

So, for all of you who want to read my blog, which I've been writing since I was conceived (I'm four months old today), do feel free to have a nose. The active (errhum) link is:

http://www.babymunoz.blogspot.com

See you there folks

[Ray]

Hi, I've just read someone say they're hopelessly late commenting on this article. So I checked the date and I'm almost a year late!

However, my 4 month old daughter has been writing a blog since her conception, so if you're interested, pop along and have a read at www.babymunoz.blogspot.com

See you there

Ray

[paola]

I'm hopelessly late to this post (as to most of my life these days), but I'd thought I'd mention my blog - http://mirrormirror.typepad.com

It's all about bringing up a toddler, trying to grow a small online retail business in the two days a week she's at school, oh and moving from Notting Hill to Seattle and doing up a funny Craftsman house over there...

[21st Century Mummy]

I'm a regular reader of http://www.littlemummy.com, whose author has created the excellent British Parent Bloggers website, which connects a growing number of blogs from parents who work full-time, part-time or stay at home. See
http://www.britishparentbloggers.com/

[Jennifer Howze]

Here's another nice blog, written by a mum who works part-time.

Love this passage:

"I was keen to say something like 'Life's not fair, love. Some people get away with things and others don't. X - who is pretty and full of personality - will probably go through life getting away with whatever she wants.'"

Check it out: http://thepartimemum.blogspot.com/

[Rilly Super]

oops, that's

www.rillysuper.blogspot.com

hope to see you soon

Rilly XX

[Rilly Super]

Well, did I ever see such a litany of shamless self promotion as this list of links!? Shocking! You won't find any of that kind of thing at 'Strife in the North' you know, which can be found incidentally at the following address:

Strife in the North

all the best
love Rilly xx

[spymum]

Gosh I'm computer illiterate; apologies for reposting these links.

http://www.mama-mag.com/

http://poshmum.blogspot.com

[p/t mum]

Hello
Love reading these blogs (obviously should be working, but hey, we all need a break, sometimes).
Please check mine out too...
http://thepartimemum.blogspot.com/

It's supposed to be about compromise mums - those of us who work part-time and are trying to do the best at parenting and at work. It may not be possible, but it's worth a go.....(even though I find that we're often looked down upon by full-time mothers and full-time workers for our apparent lack of commitment!)

Today's is a riposte to Alice Miles - see we mums can talk about politics and not just childcare...

[beta mum]

Welcome to the home of Beta Mum - who lacks the lifestyle and income of an Alpha Mummy, but rubs along pretty well most of the time.

http://cathykeir.com/

[spymum]

I've just discovered MAMA mag, (http://www.mama-mag.com/) which is proving to be another great way for me to spend hours online (when I should be working!).

My own blog is a send up of the ways and means of suburban yummy mummies; (http://poshmum.blogspot.com), if anyone would like to have a look!

[MotherAtLarge]

Oops. My link didn't work. Here it is again: http://www.motheratlarge.com

It's a celebration of the everyday joys and traumas of motherhood. Please feel free to drop by and comment, if you like.

[MotherAtLarge]

ADVENTURES IN MOTHERLAND
Have a look at www.motheratlarge.com for more on motherhood, and, more specifically, mothering expecting your next child. Set in Edinburgh's Georgian New Town, it's a celebration of the everydays joys and traumas of parenting we mothers all know so well.

www.motheratlarge.com

[Scruffy Mummy]

Looking for an antidote to yummy mummies? Check out http://www.scruffymummy.blogspot.com

[Rebecca Valentine]

singleton turns single Mum.
A comical account of pregnancy and parenting through the eyes of a single Mum.

http://londonlifelessordinary.blogspot.com

[Rebecca Valentine]

Singleton turns single Mum.
A comical account of pregnancy and parenting through the eyes of a single mum.

[Diana Groves]

I have just started writing a blog called the Busy-Mums Blog.

Love you to visit it.

I have also have a website
http://www.helpforbusymums.com

I am a Mum of 4 children and more recently 3 stepchildren. So there is never a dull moment!

Always keen to hear from Mums like me who are forever chasing their tails!

[Diana Groves]

I have just started writing a blog called the Busy-Mums Blog.

Love you to visit it.

I have also have a website
http://www.helpforbusymums.com

I am a Mum of 4 children and more recently 3 stepchildren. So there is never a dull moment!

Always keen to hear from Mums like me who are forever chasing their tails!

[keda]

ooh i've just found this new one...
http://www.elc.co.uk/play/pollyandsuzy.php
i likey ;)

[Cayte]

Recently started writing a blog which I hope isn't deathly dull... if you fancy checking out what happens when a fortysomething commitment-phobe suddenly lands herself pregnant, cohabitating and sharing an eight-year-old stepson, check it out. It's on primagravitas.com. Love the site, by the way.

[keda]

grrrr. post production:

+a (linda)
-t +s (is)

+ not enough sleep.

[keda]

ooh i really liked dooce, and parent hacks is a great idea.

thanks.

lena makes me laugh and think over at http://cheekylotus.clubmom.com/ though i don't often read mummy blogs let alone 'mommy' ones. lind at you've got your hands full it good too.

and i write about my buggerlets quite often too over here http://mamahog.blogspot.com/
if anyone's interested in reading about what it's like to be a single (mostly), working (part-time) mum of twins living in a foreign country (turkey) ;)

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for some new (to me) links!

[Linda]

There is an excellent and thought-provoking blog by a journalist and mum of two called http://www.doingitallagain.com. I defy anyone to read a recent post about what to name her daughter's "bits" and not smile, if not laugh out loud.

If anyone would like to visit a relatively new effort all about twins, triplets or more then they are very welcome to drop by at http://www.gotyourhandsfull.com

Thanks!

Linda Jones

[Deborah Gale]

I produced five daughters in five years including two sets of twins; one fraternal, one identical. This makes me a statistical rarity and no I didn't take drugs. That said, they would not be entirely out of the question now...

I am American, married to "the Brit" and residing permanently on the island. I write continuously as well as for a brilliant website called siliconmom.com as "silicon mum". Take a finger cruise to Silicon Valley in California for a view from the left coast.

[Ruth Sugden]

Have a read and a laugh of this when you're feeling down
or over worked
or with too many children and schools and nannies and houses and cars etc etc.
VG

[Dave]

If you want a light hearted look at yourself as a mum or to see how the other half live take a look at http://www.dulwichmum.blogspot.com

[Sophia]

Thanks for the links, I get a lot of enjoyment and ideas from reading the blogs of creative women who are mothers. However, sometimes I get a little bit depressed (and jealous) when I realise that just about all of these women have a husband in the background, often a caring, loving husband, who pays at least half of the living expenses. I would love to read some blogs of women who are working mothers without husbands or support from the child's father, especially with very young children... I have had trouble finding blogs like this. Any ideas/links?

[Selfmademom]

Yes, I have heard of mommy track'd, thanks for the reminder... I will go check it out again!

[Denise Tyler (mother@work)]

Hi - interesting list of sites! May I recommend mother@work to you all? Practical, down to earth site with reall issues at heart and a forum to have a good goss on.. Hope you like it! www.motheratwork.co.uk

[Megan]

I don't know why Mama Pop is listed here - the news is stale, the writing is banal, and it's definitely geared to your typical stay-at-home mom (e.g., posts discuss TV shows that air during your typical workday).

[Asha]

First of all, thank you for the link to Parent Hacks (and all the other great blogs) -- I'm honored! Second, Selfmademom, have you checked out MommyTrack'd? Message boards, articles, etc., specifically for working moms. Hope that helps!

http://www.mommytrackd.com

[Selfmademom]

No offense, but I'm a working mom (i.e. I work in an office outside my home) and while I like these sites, they don't make me feel connected with other working moms. I know all moms work, but there is a different dynamic when you have to get up and get dressed in work clothes and leave the house for your job. I wish you would have included some blogs like those as well.

[Kristen]

Many thanks for this!

[Jackie Danicki]

As Gretchen Rubin writes at The Happiness Project today, Virginia, enthusiasm is a form of social courage. It's one that seems to be difficult for some Brits (says one who has absorbed the obligatory cynicism rather too easily).

[Chelsea]

Dooce & Kiddley are the shizz.

[Virginia]

"The Times Online is almost unbearably turgid and British". :-)

[Liz]

Thanks for the Cool Mom Picks shoutout! We're glad to be in such wonderful company. I heart parenthacks too.

[Amy]

Kiddley and ParentHacks both rank among my favorites. Such great ideas at both! ParentHacks offers practical advice that has already been tried out by other parents. And as for Kiddley, I LOVE that place! After all, isn't playing with our children the best way to teach them and an excellent way of showing love? And aren't teaching and showing love... just the most important parts of parenting?

[Gretchen Rubin]

Thanks so much for your kind words about The Happiness Project. You've made me very happy! What a thrill to be in such company, too.

[liane]

I wrote my comment above assuming that you knew Kiddley was Australian, but were simply using 'American' to define it. Now I see that you may have thought it to actually be an American site. If so, ouch...do your research! It's pretty apparent that this is a site of Australian origin.

[liane]

Thanks for mentioning the Kiddley site. I have found numerous fun and practical ideas for my children there. Of course, I am American so maybe that's why. I have to say though, if perky is ever appropriate, wouldn't it make sense when presenting ideas for children?
Back to watching the Wiggles...

[korinthe]

Thanks -- half of these I'd heard of and half will be checked out soon :)

But... um... Kiddley is actually an Australian production, though internationally appealing.

[Tracey]

Team Mamapop thanks you! ROCK ON!

[CrankMama]

Well, thanks for the "Babble" shout-out.... we're writing you up, we're so pleased.

:)
Rachael