When our bloggers and their kids decided to take on The Dark Dreamweaver, I was very curious to check out their reviews. I’m not familiar with tween books seeing as my kids are fairly little, and quite frankly, all I’ve ever heard about is Harry Potter.
The first half of bloggers found it to be creative, fast-paced, and a great read for their 9+ year old set. Let’s see how the rest of the bloggers felt about The Dark Dreamweaver.
For a comprehensive review of this book, click here. And if you’re looking for a great summer read that will inspire and ignite your kids’ imagination, check out The Dark Dreamweaver.
After reading the final blogger reviews of “When Parents Hurt” by Joshua Coleman, it seems that regardless of individual circumstances, it was a difficult read for all. Some bloggers were estranged from their own parents, some bloggers’ spouses had cut ties with their parents, and other bloggers simply wanted to learn how they might avoid such painful separation from their own children in later years.
“When Parents Hurt” is a thought-provoking read whether you are the parent of an adult child or an adult child yourself, and whether or not you maintain ties with your family. For more blogger reviews, please check out the excerpts from the mid-campaign post, and to buy your own copy, click here..
Please welcome this month’s interviewee - Victoria Pericon of Savvy Mommy!
Congratulations - Savvy Mommy is now five years old! Forgive the negative implications of this characterization, but you really are an online veteran, particularly where it comes to parenting resources. How has the site evolved since its initial conception? What sort of influence do you think Savvy Mommy has had on other online parenting sites?
Thanks! My site, my brand, my media moniker has definitely evolved. The very first thing that went up online was a webpage created by me. It was very simple, and after my first appearance on a local morning show, I realized I couldn’t keep it that simple if I expected people to keep coming back to read what I had to say.
I found an amazing site designer who helped me create a website so site visitors no longer had to view my little creation. He took me to the next level. And then later on, I was referred to my current design guru who literally took my design drawings and created my vision. I started in my old office working on the site concept while I had another career, and ended up making enough money that I could jump right into this career. A career I pretty much created for myself.
I went from being on a local morning show to doing morning shows across the country in studio and via satellite. At first, I had to explain to producers why they should include me in their morning broadcast, and in the beginning no one cared about the things I had to say. But now I can call up a television station and say, “Hey, I’ll be in town next Friday. Can I be on your show to talk about XYZ,” and I get booked on the spot. I used to get excited just having 1,000 unique site visitors a day. Now I get excited when the hits are over 5 million a day.
The influence of Savvy Mommy? Oh, I definitely see it. Once people see that someone can make money from an idea, many people follow along. I was the only one successfully doing parenting product and service reviews full time. Now, people wake up and start a parenting blog in the hopes of being able to leave their full time job. Some succeed. Some go about it the wrong way and don’t really stand out so they don’t stick around very long.
We understand that Savvy Mommy was born when you were pregnant with Natalie and discovered how differently the business world often treats pregnant women. What do you think women in business can or should do to help change the way mothers and mothers-to-be are perceived?
Stop assuming. It begins with us. If we stop assuming people will treat us the same once we start showing, we will be prepared when our workload gets lighter because people are frightened to let a pregnant woman make career decisions for herself. Stop assuming things will not change.
Some women will get pregnant and declare they will go back to work. Just get ready to embrace change and understand some of us may end up staying home with our children…and realize for those moms that works for them. And other moms go back to the office…a choice that works for them. If we don’t judge these personal decisions, it will make it easier for everyone to stop assuming only one way to be a mother is the right way.
I’ve lost contracts because I was pregnant, and although I’m in the forefront of the “mom audience” they were uncomfortable with me being a pregnant spokesperson for them. It’s insane. Things will not change overnight, but if we speak up, others will eventually become a little more open-minded.
Besides mothering your children, what aspects of being Savvy Mommy bring you the most personal fulfillment?
I work an insane amount of hours. I’m the first one to admit that, but because I answer only to myself, I am able to be a strong role model to my children, especially my daughter who hopefully won’t have a glass ceiling when she enters the workplace. Being able to help other parents everyday is wonderful. Getting feedback from them also makes me feel like five years ago I definitely made the right decision to become Savvy Mommy.
You’ve noted that you’re not the typical Manhattan mom - that you leave competition to sporting events. Why do you think there is such a heightened sense of competition among mothers - not just in Manhattan but across the country? What can parents do as individuals to free themselves from that supposed need to compete?
Because we have way too much time on our hands. (I kid.) I think it’s because a lot of us are insecure. Many of us are worried about our children fitting in or being a part of the “best.” I happily let my daughter stay home when she was 2 instead of trying to get her into a “top” preschool. Other parents believe that choice is going to lead to my daughter not getting into Harvard, although I’m sure Harvard has accepted a few home schooled children. So when my daughter is in high school and applies to whatever college she is interested in, I’m sure they won’t hold it against her that she wasn’t in a preschool at age two.
If we all followed our own counsel we wouldn’t be under as much stress and our children would be able to enjoy their childhood even more. Make the best decisions for your family and don’t worry about what the parents in the playgroup are doing.
You’ve written several books already, one of which is a somewhat autobiographical discussion of your experiences with the mean moms that we all face no matter where we live. Now you have another book coming out next summer. Care to give us a sneak peek?
I’ve written three non-fiction parenting titles, but next summer my first fiction title will be coming out because it was time for that story to be told. It’s about a successful woman who comes home early and finds the love of her life in bed with America’s Sweetheart…yes, an A-list celebrity. Some of us have experienced heartbreak but were able to just move on without having to view the love of their life on the cover of a supermarket weekly. It’s a story about disappointment, reinvention and well, a summer read wouldn’t be a hilarious summer read without a dash of gossip mixed with bittersweet revenge.
While you’re definitely not the typical Manhattan mom, you’re probably the closest incarnation to Supermom that we’ve ever seen! One week after giving birth, you were already back to traveling and appearing on TV. Do you attribute your drive to sheer work ethic, love for what you do, a combination of both, or something else entirely? What encouragement would you give to other parents who are finding it difficult to summon the energy just to empty the dishwasher?
I absolutely love what I do. Love! And I make sure to only say “YES” to projects (spokesperson gigs, media tours) I love and believe in. But that means waking up early and sending emails before I take my daughter on errands and then going into to the office or spending the afternoon at the park with my children but then heading off to the airport after bedtime in order to appear at a television studio out of town. I have a really good balance between work and family life. Luckily I can have family life seep into work anytime and take the kids with me on a business trip out of state.
If you need energy to just empty the dishwasher, put on some music. Dance with your children in the kitchen and make up lyrics to a funny song, or turn dish duty into a counting game. Make the dullest thing you can possibly do into a game with your kids and it will go by faster. Children love to be helpers, so have them help you put away all the spoons. Promise yourself a treat if you get all the mundane chores done before noon.
No Minivan, Just Moxie is your personal blog which you began just over a year ago. How has it helped you further define your online personality and augment your work at Savvy Mommy?
My blog “No Minivan, Just Moxie” was created after constantly receiving emails asking me when I was going to talk about my life. I honestly thought people would just want to know about the products I reviewed and not care about “the reviewer”, but I started getting executives at networks calling me about doing reality shows, autograph requests from viewers, invitations to speak at conferences, and the same questions about me over and over in my email, so I started my blog and try my best to shine light on my life off-camera as much as possible. That’s been the most difficult balance since I know a few bold faced names, and I know they breathe a sigh of relief that I am not on the record with them when we are eating extremely delicious desserts and their guard is down.
And speaking of No Minivan, Just Moxie - your list of 100 Things is one of the most entertaining lists out there! So we’d like to pry a bit further on a few of your revelations:
Please tell us more about your date with Tourette guy. Did he start spewing obscenities in the middle of dinner?
My date and I stopped off to get a drink at a very trendy bar/lounge in Manhattan and sat in one of the really cozy, velvet curtained sections so it wasn’t entirely out in the open. By the time my drink arrived, my date had shown almost every possible vocal and motor tic possible. One date with me can apparently drive a man to swear. I had a choice to make: walk out right then and there or finish the date. I stayed, and then he said he was hungry so I went with him to have dinner. Someone needs to give me a gold star for that.
You’ve played strip poker. Did you lose?
Lose? I didn’t even stand a chance. I had no idea how to play. I was roped into playing but luckily the neighbors (yes, we were outside…long before I was a mom) didn’t get a show because the gentlemen playing at the table allowed me to not fully embarrass myself.
Your feet are too ticklish for pedicures. Do you do-it-yourself instead?
No, I actually still go to my neighborhood nail salon and start laughing and apologizing as soon as they touch underneath my feet. Then usually someone nearby will fess up to being ticklish as well. Thankfully.
You’ve resolved to run the ING New York City marathon. Are you crazy?! How’s your training coming along?
It’s not that I’m nuts; it’s more about the fact I decided to make New Year’s resolutions this year which actually made a real difference. I’m running on behalf of a charity which helps fight childhood obesity. My involvement will benefit children, so as a mom of three little children that was a resolution I knew I would try my hardest to keep.
Training officially began the weekend before I had my son. So realistically I couldn’t start training then or right after having my son. I had to wait six weeks before starting. But the training has definitely been fun so far.
“Stationary” vs. “stationery” - us too. What other wordy pet peeves do you have?
When someone says “Talk to you soon.” I always feel as you should say “talk with you soon.” The former just seems so harsh. I don’t want to talk “to” anyone. Passed your driver’s test without even putting the key in the ignition? Do tell!
Um…I actually want to keep my license, thank you.
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If you’d like to donate toward Victoria’s pledge to Team For Kids, please click here. You’ll need her name - Victoria Pericon - and her entry number - 138722. Donations are fully tax-deductible, and as a bonus - everyone who donates $50 or more will be entered to win a portable DVD player and a bunch of DVDs.
If you’re not able to make a donation, she’d be thrilled just to read some encouraging words regarding her marathon training. You can email her directly at victoria@savvymommy.com.
If the first set of reviews wasn’t enough to get you interested in Noah’s Pals, then just wait until you see what the rest of our bloggers had to say about these durable animal toys (or really, collector’s items).
If you haven’t figured out what to do with your library of prego books, here’s a suggestion. Don’t pass them on to your friend. Use them instead of a seat booster and go purchase Body, Soul, & Baby, the new pregnancy/new mom book from Dr. Tracy Gaudet, Director of Duke Medical School’s Department of Integrative Medicine.
But don’t just do it because I told you so. Do it because that’s pretty much what our twenty parent bloggers would tell you to do. The first set of bloggers enjoyed Dr. Gaudet’s approach — though fairly atypical from the vast majority of books out there. And the second set? Let’s check it out and see.
One of our bloggers was so excited, she offered virtual kisses to the author.
First off, Tracy and Paula? If you are reading this, I want to kiss you for creating Body, Soul and Baby. It is refreshing to read a book that addresses not only the physical changes but the journey our souls undertake through this transition into motherhood. And I really like that the kind doctor (who’s also a mom) shows readers how to tune into our bodies and how to nurture the changing needs of our spirits without sounding like some flakey, nutjob who’s been slipping happy herbs into her granola.
I truly cannot say enough good things about this book. It provides in depth information about what is happening to the body during pregnancy. It addresses fears with useful information based on medical science as well as traditional wisdom. It provides real stories of real women who have experienced pregnancy.
Want to check this book out? Leave a comment and we’ll pick two winners at random on August 1 who will received an autographed copy of the book.
It really is incredible to think of how far modern medicine has come. Not only do we have multitudes of treatments available to us, we’re able to move beyond merely treating ailments and can focus on optimizing our health at all times.
With all this Harry Potter hype, I imagine many folks have forgotten that they are other great fantasy books out there for kids. And when many of us our busy keeping our kids occupied this summer, we often don’t have time to research and read other books.
Well, our parent bloggers are doing that for you (Have you checked out our book reviews lately?) with The Dark Dreamweaver, the first book in the series The Remin Chronicles. Let’s see what our bloggers have to say, and if you’d like to win a copy of it and its sequel “The Breezes of Inspire” leave us a comment here about your favorite tween book.
See what our other bloggers think about this book, and make sure to enter the contest to win a copy. Just leave a comment here and you’ll be entered — tell us about your favorite tween book.
Blogging has provided a voice to many people who were previously left unheard. And it has allowed many to share their stories of hope, grief, and change. And for others, it has been a vehicle to support a cause near and dear to their heart.
With that in mind, we’re teaming up with iBakeSale today in a Blog Blast we’re calling “Bloggers Giving Back.” If you’re not familiar with iBakeSale, it’s a free website that allows you to shop as you usually would, but receive cash back rewards for yourself, your favorite charity, and/or your favorite community group. Raise money for your shoe fund AND your local non-profit just by shopping at your favorite online shops via their site.
Way better than making cupcakes!
So, our bloggers are talking about their favorite charities and encouraging their readers to join their fundraising groups — hence Bloggers Giving Back. We’ll be listing the charities throughout the day, so if you find someone you’d like to team up with, click on their site and sign up for iBakeSale via their link (totally free!).
And if you’re super motivated, write about your own charity between now and August 7, send us the link (parentbloggers@gmail.com), and we’ll enter you in our contest. Make sure to email us or info@ibakesale.com so we can give you specific instructions, plus a cool “Join My Group” button and a link for your blog.
The blogger with the most “sign-ups” to their fundraising group between now and August 7 wins a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate.
A little competition for charity never hurt, right?
And if you can’t decide which charity to support, don’t worry. You can support as many as you want! So, spread the love (and leave a little for yourself too!).
I anticipated that “When Parents Hurt” would provoke soul-searching among the bloggers who reviewed it - after all, it’s a rare person whose family experiences little or no conflict. A few bloggers are (or were) estranged from their own parents, others have a sibling who is estranged from their parents, and they were all interested in learning how they might avoid the pain of one day becoming estranged from their own children:
By and large, we’re all doing the best we can (and hopefully most of our parents tried to do the same). Compassion for our children - particularly as they grow and make mistakes - and compassion for ourselves - realizing that even though we’re adults, we can’t be perfect all the time either - will take us a long way toward healthy relationships with our children, no matter how much time passes.
Please check out the next set of reviews, along with the final round-up review here at PBN!
With all the toys out there that require 14 batteries and do nothing short of drive mom and dad bonkers, it’s nice to find toys out there that require no on and off button, but rather, just pure imagination. And while you might have found some great toys that require no bells and whistles, it’s always great to hear personal recommendations about toys you may not otherwise ever learn about.
That’s what we found when our bloggers had the opportunity to check out Noah’s Pals, a collection of fantastic plastic animal toys that range from typical animals to ones that I needed a dictionary to pronounce. Both educational and fun, these toys were played with for the past few weeks by our bloggers and their kiddos (ages 5 and up) and here’s what they have to say.
Additionally, the bloggers noted that the toys kept even their older kids (ages 9 and 11, to name a couple) just as occupied, if not more, than the little ones!
What a hit so far! Check out what our other bloggers have to say, and get the whole set on special at Amazon. Get the whole set for $269. That’s a $30 discount from the Amazon price (which is even lower than retail). Snatch it now for Christmas. (You can also just purchase individual animal pairs).
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For more information, please refer to our Disclaimer.