I recently read an article on Mashable about who is the typical mommy blogger. After reading what they said, I looked at the comments as they asked people to share blogs that they write. Instead of finding new blogs to read, I saw the many, many complaints about the term “mommy blogger”. The feeling was that it’s a derogatory term. Many felt that these women should not be referred to as “mommy” and they should be respected for their professional writing backgrounds.
My kids are 5 and 7 and I am very much so a mommy. The boys, like their peers, still call me mommy. I know this will change in the not too distant future and I am embracing this short period of time that I am Mommy. I am also not a professional writer, so I think that puts me square in the realm of “mommy bloggers”.
Ironically, I feel the same negative gut reaction when I hear people refer to women at sporting events as “pink hats”. As a female sports fan who has attended many sporting events over the years, it drives me crazy. Then I realized – I don’t wear a pink hat. I have always worn a navy blue hat (often to the point it turns a different color).
We all have a trigger; some description that we find derogatory. Sometimes, we have to sit back and revel in the fact they may not be talking about us. What about the term makes you angry? For me, I am proud of being a mommy and someday I will be proud of being a mom. The term “pink hat” often refers to women who don’t know much about the sport they are viewing. I look at my experience and don’t consider myself in the same category but I applaud these women for trying something new.
So often today, people are expressing their negative feelings towards each other. Perhaps we could embrace our differences and realize that people aren’t always referring to us and maybe others should be celebrated for what they are trying. Maybe, we can realize that these labels are no more important as adults than they were in high school. I went to a large high school and it was straight out of a John Hughes movie. Many years later, the labels are gone and most people get along. Instead of labeling the type of parent or person you are; follow your own passions and leave the labels behind. Then, you will be certain to find your personal happiness.
