Blogging Helps New Moms Cope With The Stress Of Motherhood
Motherhood is not always the blissful role that is sometimes portrayed in commercials, ads and on TV. It is work and hard work at that. Moms are stressed, overworked and completely exhausted. I have four grown children and an 11-year-old son and out of everything I’ve done in life, motherhood has been the hardest job by far. There’s no pay, no vacation and for most people no help. Add being divorced and single and you have the settings for the perfect storm. Most of the time, the benefits of being a mother comes later in life when our children start having their own children, then you finally hear the words we’ve all secretly craved or dream about hearing one day, “thanks mom. I don’t know how you did it.”
Until that time comes, moms, especially new moms need to learn how to incorporate some coping skills in their busy multi-tasking lives to deal with stress management and still find time for themselves and one of the ways of doing that is connecting with other moms through reading blogs or writing one.
Just recently, researchers at Penn State University and Brigham Young University (BYU), published an article in the Maternal and Child Health Journal showing that first time moms who read or write blogs may feel less alone than mothers who do not participate in a blogging community. The study also shows less parental stress and higher marital satisfaction than moms who don’t blog. According to their study, blogging had a positive impact on new mothers, but social networking did not seem to have the same impact on their well-being. The study demonstrated that mothers who blogged frequently show stronger connections to their family and friends.
The reasons for this according to Brandon T. McDaniel, graduate student in human development and family studies at Penn are that moms feel more connected when they are able to communicate their feelings and experiences in an online community, such as a blog. The more they share and express themselves, the more connected they feel to friends and family. According to the research, moms who blog feel better and handle motherhood more than moms who only socialize through Social Media.
I know for me blogging has been a life-saver. It has helped me to relieve my stress by building an online community of blogging friends who support me and whom I support. We connect through our blogs, forums, email and Skype. When I have a question I can just message a friend and I have instant support for whatever problem I might be experiencing and hearing what other mothers are going through encourages me that I’m not alone in my struggles as a parent.
Since I started my blog in April of this year, my family has already noticed a difference in my attitude towards them and how I now handle stressful situations. Actually most of the time something eventful happens, in the back of my mind I think, “This will make a great blog post.” Technology has and is truly shaping and changing the lives of mothers.
If you’re a new mom and feeling overwhelmed and alone and haven’t jumped into the blogging world yet, I would highly recommend giving it a try. Of course, I feel the need to mention here that there are positives and negatives to everything in life and in the blogging world it is no different than anywhere else.
Remember the blogging world is made up of real people and when you are dealing with people you will always have to accept the fact that not everyone is going to like you, just like in the real world. Not everyone is going to want to be your friend, but the majority of bloggers are helpful, encouraging and will welcome you with open arms.
So I hope today if you’re a new mom, a mom of toddlers or teenagers or an empty nest mom and feeling alone or stressed out, will you think about joining the blogging world or at least, reach out to mom bloggers to get the support you need and deserve.
Whether you read blogs or write them be sure to drop me a line. I would love the opportunity to connect with you and become one of your online blogging friends.
4 comments
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Billie
July 15, 2012 at 11:00 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Great post, writing has always been therapeutic for me, I just need to do it more often. Being a step-mom is incredibly difficult and I hope that one day I’ll hear those words of gratitude.
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Sara Phillips
July 15, 2012 at 7:48 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I guess that makes sense – blogging gives you a place to de-stress and relax a little.
I do love the connections I’ve made from blogging. Before blogging, I felt like I had no friends left in life. Now, I don’t have that problem!
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Ashley
July 15, 2012 at 12:31 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Very well written! I plan on starting my own as soon as I get down there, so you can help me!
Kim
July 15, 2012 at 2:31 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I can’t wait. Miss you guys so much and you would be great at blogging.