'You've got your hands full'

BBC News: The rise and rise of the 'mummy bloggers'

RECENTLY I was interviewed by journalist Dave Lee for a piece for the technology section of BBC Online all about the rise of mummy bloggers in the UK.

It's an interesting piece that reflects on Universal Studios paying bloggers for reviews and wondering how similar blogging is in the UK. The lovely Susanna who has worked so hard to connect parents and help bloggers find audiences is also featured, talking about a commitment to integrity.

Over at British Mummy Bloggers, Jennifer has reported on more US 'mom' blogging trends heading for these shores, trends which make some sigh with disappointment.

Breaking the silence carnival of blog posts about mental illness

WHY a carnival about mental health?

I feel very strongly about mental health issues. I have suffered from what everyone always just called "black moods" now and again all my adult life. I didn't know what this meant and would just go to bed to let these fleeting feelings pass. But you can't do that when you are a mum or well, busy at work can you?

And then I got worse. I contemplated throwing myself out of the window, of deliberately crashing my car, telling myself I wasn't worthy of my family's love and that they would be better off without me. I was terrified of how my children would be affected by my mental illness.

My upbringing was to ignore, shun, dismiss or ridicule people who are mentally ill. I was told by family, friends and the media through news reporting and entertainment that those who "succumbed" to a mental illness were either weak, dangerous or just a bit odd. These people either deserved our pity or we should be scared of them. They didn't amount to much and if they were people in positions of trust, authority or power, then well they couldn't have been very good in their job, if they ended up cracking up.

Ready for Ten CyberMummy pub quiz -- in case you missed it!

THANK you so much to everybody who has tweeted me today to tell me how much they enjoyed the pub quiz at CyberMummy! I think that I spoke too quietly and quickly really.

So in an effort to rectify this -- and to satisfy those bloggers asking me what questions there were about them, here they are.

Please note I will post the answers tomorrow. There is no prize now, it's just for fun. I know you can easily get the answers from Google and it doesn't really matter but if you do want to have a go -- good luck.

The questions are very easy.

Cheers!

Rosie Scribble and LivingwithKids welcome Twins, Triplets & More blog tour

THANKS to Rosie Scribble for letting me set up my stall today where I focus on a mum of twins and her story of post natal depression. I hope by spreading the word about the new free/subsidised help on offer from Tamba, word can reach those expectant mums who could most benefit so they can learn that support is out there.

Thanks also to Liz at LivingwithKids who published a guest post from me yesterday, with some facts and figures about twins. I know when I was expecting, I had my eyes opened and a "learning curve" has continued ever since.

Coming tomorrow is another pit-stop in the "tour" and a guest post here from the brilliant Fourdownmumtogo.

Twins, Triplets and More week 2010: Guest posts, blog tour and carnival

I SET up this blog to offer information and support for parents and carers of twins, triplets and more. Years on, people searching for help with post natal depression still find us and I'm touched that I can be of help.

I've also a longstanding association with Tamba, the Twins and Multiple Births Association, being a member and former magazine editor and PR helper.

That's why when the hardworking people at the charity got in touch to tell me about their annual awareness bid, Twins, Triplets & More week, and the fact that they want to publicise free help for multiple mums, I thought it would be great to spread the word.

It runs from Monday, June 28.

Are you a 'good enough' mum? Course you are!

CHANCES are if you've asked yourself that question, the answer's pretty likely to be yes. Don't you agree?

The above video was shot at our office by Mario from Someone Once Told Me and features the gorgeous Grace Marshall who runs a group in Stafford for mums who work for themselves, which my dear friend and colleague Carol has also been involved with.

I had reason to watch this video today and thought I'd include it here.

Hope you like it.

Blog awards update: Chuffed to make the authors' shortlist and top ten travel bloggers

THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Got Your Hands Full in the Author Blog awards.

Out of more than 500 sites submitted, this one made it to the shortlist. I was dead chuffed about that.  I even made it into the local papers.

Congratulations to the very lovely and awe-inspiring Jane Alexander who finished as a runner up in one of the categories. And well done to Tim and Alice who were also shortlisted.

Business, careers and technology: Selected features

The Telegraph: Headhunted on Facebook

AS some companies ban social networks, others are using them to find recruits, says Linda Jones. Read more.

The Guardian: Carving virtual gravestones

MORE and more people are leaving tributes to loved ones on memorial websites, but are they opening themselves up to abuse? Read more.

The Guardian: Member of the twittering classes

MP Alan Johnson is using the microblogging tool in his campaign to be Labour deputy leader. But is it 'potentially the biggest waste of time in the world'? Linda Jones reports. Read more.

Author Blog Awards: I'm on the shortlist!

Thanks a million for voting...now please can you do it again?

YOU may remember I was nominated in the Author Blog Awards.

Weeeelll, thanks a million to everyone who also added their support, as I have now been (ta-da!) shortlisted.

As suspected there are some "big name" authors also on the list, which has reportedly been whittled down from more than 500 sites, so I'm dead chuffed to have got this far.

Media request: Parents of dyslexic children to review new spelling resource

Amy from MyChild says:

 

I’m looking for a couple of mummy bloggers who would like to review/give testimonials on a new spelling book we’re publishing, which uses multi-sensory learning to help children get to grips with spelling.

 

I’m looking for parents of children who have been diagnosed as dyslexic; or those who have not been diagnosed but the parents feel their child may be dyslexic; or parents who feel that their child could do with that extra push as far as spelling is concerned.  If they would be interested in reviewing the book, I’d need their name, address, and their children’s ages.

If you would like to help, email Amy: Amy.Schofield[at]mychild.co.uk