The realities of parenting blogging: What you need to know before hitting “publish”

Mommy blogging has become something many women pursue because it seems trendy or potentially lucrative. Perhaps you’ve read that Heather B. Armstrong of Dooce.com supports her entire family by writing publicly about day-to-day life. (Her new book is awesome, by the way.) Why not simply write about poop and baby milestones while staying home with your little one?

The Reality Check: Things to Consider Before Starting

Blogging Requires Serious Commitment

Money-making blogs are the exception, not the rule. Those who do succeed financially put more hours into their online presence and persona—not to mention the networking—than the average person working a traditional 9-to-5 job. Building an audience takes time, consistency, and strategic effort.

Content Creation Is Demanding

Generating quality new material daily proves challenging for anyone, but especially when naptime represents the highlight of your day and your highest accomplishment is getting everyone dressed before noon. Writer’s block doesn’t care that you have a publishing schedule to maintain.

Anonymity Is an Illusion

No matter how anonymous you think your blog is—people will find you. That clever pseudonym and vague location information won’t protect your identity forever. Former colleagues, family members, neighbors, and eventually your own children will discover what you’ve written.

Public Opinion Can Be Harsh

If you’re putting your opinions out there for the world to see, you will be judged—publicly—so you need to develop thick skin quickly. Internet commenters can be cruel, other bloggers may disagree vehemently with your parenting choices, and criticism will come from unexpected directions.

Your Children Will Read Everything Someday

Someday you will have to answer to an eye-rolling teenager who might wish she was never born after finding and reading your detailed descriptions of her every milestone, tantrum, potty-training struggle, and embarrassing moment. What seems cute and funny now might humiliate her later.

Why People Still Want to Blog Despite the Challenges

Right now you’re probably saying, “We know that, Nadine. We’re aware that posting photos of that monster tantrum will bite us in the booty someday and that all we’ll get in return is a nice lunch courtesy of Google ad revenue. We still have a lot to say!”

That’s completely valid. Blogging offers numerous benefits beyond financial gain:

Community and Connection

Parenting can feel isolating, especially for stay-at-home parents. Blogging connects you with others facing similar challenges, celebrates your victories, and provides support during difficult times. The friendships formed through blogging can be genuine and lasting.

Creative Outlet

Writing provides a creative outlet separate from the constant demands of childcare. It engages your brain in ways that changing diapers and preparing snacks simply cannot. For many parents, blogging helps maintain their sense of identity beyond “mom” or “dad.”

Memory Preservation

Blogs serve as detailed chronicles of your family’s journey. Years later, you’ll appreciate having these memories documented, even if you never monetize the content or build a massive following.

Personal Growth

The discipline of regular writing, engaging with feedback, and articulating your thoughts helps you grow as a person and communicator. You’ll develop technical skills, learn about SEO and social media, and possibly discover talents you didn’t know you possessed.

Advocacy Platform

Blogging provides a platform to advocate for causes you care about, share important information, or create awareness about issues affecting families.

Essential Questions to Answer Before Starting

Before launching your parenting blog, honestly answer these questions:

What’s your primary motivation?

  • Documenting memories for your family?
  • Building a community?
  • Earning income?
  • Establishing yourself as an expert?
  • Processing your experiences?

Your answer will significantly influence your approach, content strategy, and measures of success.

How much time can you realistically commit?

  • Daily posting requires 1-2 hours minimum
  • Social media engagement adds another hour
  • Photography, editing, and formatting take time
  • Responding to comments and emails can’t be ignored

What boundaries will you establish?

  • Which family members can be discussed or photographed?
  • What topics are off-limits?
  • How much personal information will you share?
  • Will you use real names or pseudonyms?

What’s your content strategy?

  • What specific topics will you cover?
  • What makes your perspective unique?
  • Who is your target audience?
  • How will you stand out among millions of parenting blogs?

How will you handle criticism?

  • Can you accept differing parenting philosophies without taking it personally?
  • Will negative comments derail your confidence?
  • Are you prepared for potential trolls and mom-shaming?

What’s your exit strategy?

  • At what point might you stop blogging?
  • How will you handle content if your children request you remove posts about them?
  • What happens to your archives if you close the blog?

Privacy and Safety

  • Use privacy settings wisely on social media
  • Consider geolocation implications when posting photos
  • Be cautious about sharing schedules, routines, and locations
  • Understand that everything you post is potentially permanent
  • Research laws regarding photographing and writing about minors

Intellectual Property

  • Understand copyright basics
  • Never use others’ photos without permission
  • Credit sources appropriately
  • Watermark your original photography
  • Back up your content regularly

Disclosure Requirements

  • Sponsored content must be clearly labeled
  • Follow FTC guidelines for product reviews and affiliate links
  • Be transparent about relationships with brands
  • Understand tax implications of blogging income

Setting Yourself Up for Success

If you’re still committed to blogging after considering all these factors:

Start with clear goals: Define what success looks like for you personally, not based on others’ achievements.

Develop your voice: What makes your perspective unique? Authenticity resonates more than trying to copy successful bloggers.

Learn the basics: Understand platform options (WordPress, Blogger, Squarespace), basic SEO, social media strategy, and photography fundamentals.

Connect with others: Join blogging communities, comment thoughtfully on others’ blogs, and engage genuinely on social media.

Be patient: Building an audience takes time—usually years, not months. Overnight success stories are rare exceptions, not the norm.

Protect your family: Establish and maintain boundaries around what you share, even when tempted to post something that might go viral.

Keep perspective: Your blog is important, but not more important than your actual relationships, mental health, or children’s wellbeing.

Tomorrow’s Topics: Getting Started

In the next installment, I’ll cover:

  • How to actually get started: Choosing a platform, selecting a domain name, setting up your blog
  • Content planning: Developing an editorial calendar and maintaining consistency
  • Using blogs for business: Monetization strategies, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing
  • Social media integration: What the heck Twitter is all about and how to use it effectively
  • Growing your audience: SEO basics, networking strategies, and community building
  • Photography tips: Creating compelling visuals without expensive equipment
  • Time management: Balancing blogging with actual parenting

The Bottom Line

Mommy blogging can be rewarding, connecting, and even occasionally profitable. But it’s also work—often unpaid, always time-consuming, and sometimes emotionally draining. The most successful parent bloggers are those who blog because they genuinely enjoy it and have something to say, not because they’re chasing quick money or internet fame.

If you’re still excited about starting a parenting blog after reading this reality check, wonderful! The blogging world benefits from diverse voices and authentic stories. Just go in with eyes wide open, boundaries firmly established, and realistic expectations about what this journey entails.

Your family’s story deserves to be told—just make sure you’re telling it for the right reasons and in ways that protect everyone involved.