Not a Mommy Blogger Anymore

Yesterday, my youngest and I were out shopping when she told me that the shoes she was wearing hurt her feet.

“Are they too small?” I asked.

“No. They just pinch my toes. But I can handle it. I’m a big girl!”

And then it hit me—I am not a mom of littles anymore. And as far as blogging goes, I don’t think I can call myself a “Mommy Blogger” at this point. I know I’m not much of a blogger at all these days, but it feels like my kids are getting too old for the whole mom blog genre. I mean, they aren’t all that old, but I guess I just think of a mommy blogger as being one with littles who are still in diapers and not yet in school. 

My oldest, now in middle school, is wary that anything she says or does will be put on the blog, and she tells me what I can and cannot post about her, and the list of okay stuff is shrinking daily. My middle daughter just turned 9, and while she probably doesn’t care whether or not I write about her, she’s just past all the toddler and preschool cuteness. And then there’s the youngest. My baby whose birth and life has been entirely documented on this blog. And now she’s just about to graduate from Kindergarten, and is a self-proclaimed big girl who can handle shoes that pinch her toes (which really are too small, because she won’t stop growing)!

When did this happen to me?

My blog had a birthday a few days ago. It turned a whopping 7 years old, which is pretty old in blogging years. When I first began blogging I was the just-turned-30 mother of two young children. I was the wife of a doctoral student, living in student housing on a student budget. I was serving as Relief Society President, which kept me very busy. I didn’t do much performing or teaching, though I had a few students and a singing gig here or there.

My oldest was only four years old, and gave me hilarious blog fodder for the Kids Say the Darnedest Things section that was originally a big part of my blog. (Truthfully, she still does, I’m just not allowed to tell you that.) My second daughter was an adorable two-year-old, and I was a SAHM in the purest sense of the acronym.

(Most of the posts I wrote in my old diary style blogging days are no longer published due to privacy and an ever-evolving blog)

Nowadays, I can hardly remember what those wonderful doctoral days (which I probably romanticize) in Arizona were like. I’m pushing 40, we’re no longer in school (which once seemed to be such a faraway prospect), I’m teaching part time, and once my youngest is in school all day next year, I’ll move closer to full time.  My life used to be overstuffed with young children and all that came with that: Potty training, pregnancy, princess dress ups, and play dates. Now it’s overstuffed with older children and their own set of stuff: Math homework and music lessons, chores and chauffeuring, braces and Brownies, Daisies, & Cadettes—not to mention the piles of dishes and laundry that were always there, but have just gotten bigger and bigger.

Growing. It happens so naturally, but every once in a while you turn around and say, “Hey! When did this happen to me? Where did my babies go? And, also, my youthful figure is gone! Who took it??”

On Monday, I took my oldest to rehearse with her accompanist for an upcoming violin recital. I sat there and watched her play a Vivaldi concerto flawlessly, and I thought of the little four-year-old girl who used to saw through her Twinkles every afternoon and I just started crying. Heck, I’m crying now just thinking of it. When did this beautiful and talented young woman start living in my house?

And daughter #2. She’s no longer my cute little chubby two-year old who used to walk around the house with a pen and paper glued to her hands. I miss that kid. But instead I have this amazing nine-year-old who is lovely and smart and kind and still has a pen and paper glued to her hands. That’s how I know she’s the same girl.

And of course, my youngest. My mischievous baby. She’s a big girl now. Going into the freaking first grade. Wise beyond her five years. Smart as heck. And I don’t know where she came from, either.

So, I’m not a mommy blogger anymore. But I’m sure thankful that I was. Because I love to go back and read all of the funny stories about the three little girls that used to live here. And I really hope I’m allowed to blog a bit more about three bigger girls that have taken their places. Otherwise, I don’t know how I’ll be able to remember them when yet another set of bigger girls comes to replace them. Or when they just leave altogether.

Because I think I still want to be a Mommy blogger, if that’s okay with you.

(Or, maybe I’ll just be a puppy blogger instead….look who got a haircut!)


Woolly PuppyNaked Puppy

2023 update: As I work though this website updating content, it is amazing to me that another 11 years have passed since I wrote this post. This means my actual blog is an adult now, not to mention my two oldest daughters.

The oldest daughter is now 23 years old, finishing up a degree in Technical Theatre and sometimes still picks up her violin. My middle daughter is working towards a degree in art (shocker!) and just got married a couple of months ago. And my youngest is still as sassy as ever and is entering her senior year of high school next month. She’s taller than me, but still my baby, and oh shoot now I’m crying.

My puppy is now almost 12 years old, but is still energetic and she gives me something to mother.

I’m definitely not a mommy blogger anymore, but you can still find plenty of stories and inspiration as I share experiences to help other moms.

Wedding photo courtesy Third Coast Studio.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

18 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Serene is my name, not my life!

That day is coming for me, I can feel it!

And happy blogiversary!

UnseasonablyWarm

You're still a mommy blogger! If they are under your roof, you're a mommy. I know what you mean about things that are posted and Bria being wary about it. Mikelle is too. Thankfully she forgets I have a blog so she forgets that I might just post something about her.

Lacey

I loved this post. Thanks for sharing! I feel the same way and I still have babies at home! It's just not fair when our kids grow up. Lots of love! I really hope you don't ever stop blogging! I love your perspective and advice! xoxo

Hilary

I think we all feel this way (unless we're still poppin' babies out). I love how my blog documents EACH stage of my life…
and they're always changing. 🙂

Unknown

wELL i do have to admit since I started following you accidently, it has been a pleasure to visit and see how your children have grown over the last couple of years. Yes time does fly doesn't it! PUPPY bloggers are very popular and since this is YOUR blog you can do what ever it is you like. I was doing mine for posterity, because I journal and it sort of became a part of my journal with pictures. I am not sure who will ever read it when I am gone or if any of my grand children will really care, but, it will be there regardless. 🙂

Kazzy

I never really know what to consider a mommy blogger, but I totally get what you are saying. The kids are getting older, my time is shifting, and I think of things differently because of age and experience. Your blog will morph too. It's all good. 🙂

Andrea

Well, whatever you call it, I enjoy following you on your blogging journey. 🙂

L.T. Elliot

I don't think you need a label to blog because I just love your blog. You blog about life. You share happy, sad, pictures, newness, comfortable. It doesn't really matter because when I come here, I find *you* and that's the beautiful thing.

Audrey

It does go so fast doesn't it? I remember your days in Arizona. I wish you were able to visit more. The changes are so fast and so slow all at the same time. So good that you have it documented to enjoy forever.

Cyndie

Once a mommy blogger, always a mommy blogger. So says Pharoah, so say I. OK, Pharoah doesn't really say that … but I do. Just in case you want to take the advice of an absentee blogarian such as myself. It is hard to watch them grow. Good thing they keep saying (and doing) the darndest things.

Anonymous

Are you or are you not a mommy? Do you or do you not blog? There you have it, Mommy-Blogger! My kids currently range from 10 to 17 1/2, but I still would categorize myself with you. Your blog may grow as your children do, change right along with your experiences. But your voice and your stories are as valuable to your fellow mommy-bloggers as ever.

I'm weary of sub-categorizing motherhood. We need each other's support too much to be splintered into groups which falsely make us seem different.

Cloves

I know what you mean, I haven't been blogging for quite as long as you, but my kids, especially my 14 year old(!), don't want to be subject matter anymore. But I'm not nearly as interesting as they are.

Annie

You are still a mommy blogger because you will always be the mother to those beautiful girls! That pooch is too cute!

Sherrie

You made me cry! I am not a mommy blogger either, even though I wish I was. My kids are much older, and no longer live with me so I don't get to blog much about my kids. That makes me sad. But it makes me happy also because I can go back to the early days of my blog and review the memories that were created. Thank goodness for blogs!

This was a beautiful and touching post. Thanks for sharing.

Marc and Rachael

Journals. Blogs. We need them. Great post!

Anonymous

I just randomly found your blog. I'm not sure how I stumbled upon it but I am a new mom with a 4 month old and this just totally teared me up and reminds me to really really cherish every single moment.

Stephanie

Well said, Lara.

I've been blogging for about 6 years (and also have three girls!). It's wonderful to be able to look "all the way back" to 2007 to see how much our family has grown since then. 🙂

[email protected]

Anonymous

Terrific work! This is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the internet.
Shame on Google for now not positioning this post higher!
Come on over and consult with my web site . Thank you =)

Also visit my website :: nya online svenska casino på nätet