Calling all parent bloggers
So you think you can blog? We're looking for fresh, new, Canadian voices. Think you've got what it takes? Read on to find out
Look at me, not your laptop!
I’ve been blogging about parenthood for over seven years now (see photo), and working as an online editor for a decade. I love the community we’ve built as Canadian parents, banding together through long, dark winters, flu epidemics and snow days. But as I looked around my Facebook and Twitter feeds, I realize that we online moms and dads have built a culture of sameness. And while it’s the universal, the relatable, that makes our community valuable, I feel that by sticking to the same people telling the same stories, we don’t give ourselves the opportunity to grow.
The one thing that hasn’t really changed in my 10 years working online is how little cultural and ethnic diversity we see, both behind the scenes and on the screen. I think we have the power and, through my conversations with others on Twitter, the desire to change that.
So I’m putting a call out to all parent bloggers out there. I’m eager to hear new voices, find new blogs, and share them with our readers. And I’m passionate about adding the best of the best to Todaysparent.com, be it as a blog or an occasional article. Here are the parameters for consideration:
1. Write a REALLY good blog post. Your impeccable grammar and spelling should make me swoon. Also, your post should be no longer than 600 words.
2. Topic: What makes you unique? Do you live in Canada and have a life story that would appeal to Canadian parents? I want to hear from parents in the north and in the towns and small cities outside our biggest cities. I want to hear from parents who don’t have the ordinary cookie cutter life that we so often see everywhere. What’s different about your life? What makes it great?
3. Provide links to what you consider your three best blog posts. You don’t have to be previously published or anything. Go back, re-read them, heck, give them a quick edit (copy-edit at least). Make them sparkle.
4. Include an image that represents your family life.
5. Link back to Todaysparent.com somewhere in the post, so that my Google alert picks it up. And then just for insurance, send us the link @scarbiedoll and @todaysparent on Twitter (I’m seriously hoping you’re all on Twitter by now, bloggers), and we’ll do our best to retweet them.
6. Don’t miss the deadline: November 30th, 2011
My incredible editorial team and I will be reading the submissions. This isn’t a contest, this is a freelance opportunity and we’re seeking the best candidate, so having you apply in a way that suits the medium made sense to me. I hope it does to you too. Can’t wait to read what your life is like.
Oh, and those looking to get their feet wet with blogging should check out Haley-O's article on starting a blog.
Got some good blogs to share? Share the links with us in the comments below!
Kourtney Kardashian reveals the sex of her baby!
A beautiful C-section
How much do you know about germs?
Strangers who want to touch your pregnany belly
Top 100 Baby Names in Canada 2011
What do you think?
Welding Electrodes (not verified) says ....
Hah, seriously? That's rediculous. No way
Anonymous says ....
Yay! I am the mother of a three-year old and a fourteen year old. Have posted my top 2 today, so they are easy to find, will add another on top after preschool pick up.
Very exciting.
I blog at www.Dhana.ca
EduDad says ....
Thank you for this opportunity. edudad.com
MacSanchez says ....
Will be sharing this link with my pals and lighting a fire under their feet to go ahead and apply already!
Ashleigh (not verified) says ....
I started blogging a year ago when we found out that I was pregnant with twins. Initially, the blog was going to be a way for our family and friends in the US to follow the pregnancy. I've loved writing it and it is turning into a great "baby book" for the girls!
http://www.2moms2dogs2babies.com/
Montreal's Mom Blog (not verified) says ....
I'm going to knock this out of the freaking park. No one does it like people in French Canada. We invented pouting for goodness sake. Fries, gravy, cheese curds. BOOM. That was us. :) Can't wait to abandon, I mean, put the kids down to bed and write!! http://www.montrealsmomblog.com http://www.twitter.com/montrealmomblog
Bart Smith (not verified) says ....
Hi all,
My Buddy Dan is father of two under three. And he writes a blog about dadhood from a fun and insightful perspective. I hope you enjoy.
http://adventuresofdad.blogspot.com/2011/11/abother-top-ten.html
Cheers,
Bart
Sarah(casm) (not verified) says ....
Really glad to see that the lack of diverse voices is being addressed! I am spreading the word throughout my networks. I hope you find some great new voices!
sam's mommy (not verified) says ....
I think this is such an exciting opportunity. I just started blogging when my daughter was born last year, but it has been very rewarding.
www.survivingsam.onsugar.com
Tara Willard (not verified) says ....
The creative juices are flowing!!! Excited to get started!
www.mommysmomments.wordpress.com
Eric Novak (not verified) says ....
One of the things that inspired me to create my website and to write online was the fact that there are far fewer dad's out there who blog than there are mom's. Take that a step further and there are even fewer dad's out there who blog from not only a parenting perspective, but from that of an environmental one as well. This is why I created http://www.envirodad.com. My goal is to not preach but to invite readers to be a part of my journey as I look at things through my tag line which is "A Dad. An Environmentalist. A Mission. A Purpose."
I will begin working on a submission piece and find 3 great links to share. Thanks Nadine! Oh BTW...it was my production company that filmed the Ann Douglas Book Launch video you appeared in. Looovvee Haagen-Dasz!
catromano says ....
This is a great opportunity for parenting bloggers that offer a unique voice and point of view. Most content on parenting sites is redundant and there is an abundance of 'experts' offering advice on all the familiar topics.
Last month I wrote a blog post called "Letter to the Editor" about my disappointment in reading many parenting and mommy blogs (see the link). While this may seem like shameless self promotion, it really isn't, just sharing my point of view.
http://sweetspectacle.blogspot.com/2011/10/letter-to-editor.html
Shauna MacKenzie (not verified) says ....
Wow, thank you for this opportunity! I am a blogger myself and follow many Canadian blogs. There are so many great ones out there offering a huge variety of subjects.
I'm going to get to work tonight!!
www.kindergartenconfidential.com
Amber Gallant of Motherhood, Etc. (not verified) says ....
Check out my blog! :D
Click the link, and browse away. The All About Us page will tell you what you want to know about me & my journey as a mother.
http://amberleechanging.blog.com/
Hope you enjoy!
Jennifer Pinarski says ....
Can wait to read the posts! Is there a hashtag for these?
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) (not verified) says ....
I am proud to be a Canadian Blogger. I have only been blogging for just over six months, but I am loving all the support I am getting. Moms are supportive and awesome!
www.eastcoastmommyblog.blogspot.com
Joy (not verified) says ....
So exciting! Will get working on it right away! Awesome way to include us! Can't wait to see the poste submissions!
Joy
www.PardonMyPoppet.com/PipSqueaks
Pardon My Poppet ~ Pip Squeaks from the Mummy-verse!