The Saddest Mommy Blogger Of Them All
So many of you (and then again not many of you) have heard about the editorial on the NY Times website, Honey Don’t Bother Mommy. I’m Too Busy Building My Brand byJennifer Mendelsohn. Whom, ironically, is a mom blogger. I have read loads of blog posts by furious moms and I have definetly shared their feelings. However, I don’t want to offer another blog post that is filled with my own despair, anguish, and disgust over a fellow mother turning on her family. I also don’t want to resort to listing the ways in which she is wrong. Ultimatley I should not have to defend myself. The reason is simple. I feel sorry for her. Yep, you read that right…..I honestly feel sorry for her. Now don’t get your bloggy panties in a wad, give me just a minute to explain why.
It was a difficult article to read. On one hand it was all over the place, with (as many have said) great points but hidden deep within slamming accusations. It actually took me two tries to get through it. There was one disclaimer in her peice that really spoke volumes to me.
“Disclosure: My own blog, in which I write about everything from “American Idol” to my love of Alpha-Bits, was once included on a list of the Top 50 “lesser-known mom bloggers.””
What I come away with is, this is someone who is offended that she in’t a well known mom blogger. Perhaps, THAT is what drove her to lash back at those who opened their arms to her. I mean there has to be some sort of reason, I can’t imagine anyone just randomly hurting any group of people who are eager to bring her into their circle and talk to her. This makes me sad for her. Because here in the blog world, you got to have enough self esteem to accept that you aren’t the biggest blog in the world.
One other interesting thing is, Mrs. Mendelsohn is coming back into the world of journalism. At least according to her blog. She knows what her editors will do,especially NY Times Editors who have gained the notoriety for using tabloid tactics to get readers. She KNEW they would give her some inflammatory title and inflammatory graphic (for those of us who actually saw it). So let’s pretend for a minute that she really doesn’t have that disdain for the mom blog community, that the editorial doesn’t reflect how she truly feels on the inside. Maybe she did this just to pay the bills? She got what she set out for, she got the hits on her editorial. She got the notoriety that NY Times demands. She made it that no respectable blog conference will EVER want to ask her to speak. She got her 5 minutes of fame. She branded herself alright. And that is exactly why I feel sorry for her.
i think you’re on to something there…
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nicely done!
Growing up, I was taught (by a non-mommy blogger) that if I do not have anything nice to say then to not say anything at all. In terms of your word choices and framing of your argument in the piece above, I have nothing to say.
Butttttt you did “say” something by taking the time to comment. Thanks!
Of course I said something by commenting. I’m pleased to see that you posted my comment, and appreciate you thanking me for taking the time to submit my thoughts.
I have made it policy to only block spammer comments, not comments that oppose my opinions. All topics are subject to debate around here as long as people show respect for one another.
Have you ever heard of projection? You think she’s jealous her blog isn’t bigger? Wanting to brand herself? Feel sorry for her?
Look in the mirror. You are one angry person. (Note I didn’t say one angry “blogger.”)
I read the article when I got my paper on Sunday and thought it was a lovely look into the warm, welcoming world. That you and so many others saw it as an attack says more about you and the monumental chip on your shoulder than anything else.
“What I come away with is, this is someone who is offended that she in’t a well known mom blogger.”
No offense, but that is downright DELUSIONAL! She was quoting the name of a list she was put on. If anything, she was BRAGGING!!
And not to nitpick, but the article was not an editorial. It was a feature in the Sunday Styles section. Editorials are on the editorial page.