blogs

I was inspired to write this post by the current giveway over at Life in a Shoe, one of the blogs which I really enjoy reading.  Her posts make me laugh, and I agree with many of her philosophies (which I think always makes reading a blog more enjoyable).  I can relate to many of her stories because I am from a "large" (by modern standards) family of 7 children (and also homeschooled), which isn't the same as being one of 12, but probably generated close to a comparable amount of chaos at times.  I will admit that I have always been a "lurker" and that I am de-lurking simply because I couldn't resist entering this giveaway!  I took one look at those Flexi Clips and thought "That's exactly what I need to keep my hair off my neck in this Zambian heat." 

And while I am on the subject, let me share a few more blogs which I enjoy checking out on a regular basis. . .
Appellation Mountain is an awesome baby name blog.  It's fascinating stories of every name you can think of -- from the common names to the names you wouldn't ever think of!  I also like her balance between posting daily Baby Name of the Day posts, combined with occasional submitted baby name stories from readers, celebrity birth announcements and a weekly round-up of all sorts of interesting links to other blogs and articles.

Yes, I like baby name sites.  Here's another, this one is more of an advice blog for those who write in with questions or dilemmas about their name options.

Free Range Kids is a fascinating, thought-provoking blog which I don't always "enjoy" reading, because sometimes reality is depressing and I don't like the direction that things are headed with media hype and irrational fear in Western society.  But I agree with her philosophies -- and I've discovered that more and more since we moved from Western society to a rural African setting where you will find 5-year-olds in charge of their 2-year-old sibling for the day while Mama works in the fields. A note: While the blog is superb and its content illuminating, I don't find reading through the comments very edifying, simply because there is too much squabbling!

This blog saved my sanity when I was at a stage of sleep deprivation with Elijah which I thought might never end.  Some people swear by the "Cry It Out" method.  Some people swear by "Babywise."  Some people swear by Drs. Sears, or Pantley, or a whole host of people who have authored books about how your child should sleep which admittedly some people find helpful.  I don't find those books helpful.  What I find helpful is Moxie's lovely, refreshing, no-nonsense, reassuring, and overwhelmingly PRACTICAL and comforting reminders that life goes on, that some day I will sleep again, and that this is not my child being abnormal nor me being a bad parent -- it's part of the growing process, it's another stage in development, it's a step forward in my child's life.  WOW.  I was blown away when I found Moxie.  She writes on any number of topics related to real life and parenting.

Maybe I will share more linkies another day.  For now, it's bedtime.