Going Solo
I used to have a teeshirt that read: "Caution. Does Not Play Well With Others." I say "used to" not because I suddenly realized that the shirt was utterly inaccurate and did not describe me at all (I was, after all, once given a lifetime ban to a certain moms messageboard in my area), but because one of the sad truths of your children growing up on you is that, once they learn how to read, you have to put away the teeshirts with inappropriate sayings. Not that I had many to put away (although I do miss my "Boys are stupid; throw rocks at them" shirt) since I don't usually buy things with writing or logos on them, but that shirt was different. That shirt was fun and perfect and summed me up in seven small words. You see, I don't play well with others.
I know, you're shocked, given that I'm the single mom blogger here and all, but it's true. I'm the person who will opt out of the group assignment, preferring to go it alone rather than be forced to work as part of a random team (I'd make a terrible Wonder Pet). I've never had a roommate because, quite honestly, I don't want to share my spaceor listen to someone else's opinion about the shower curtain. It all comes from the rather potent combination of growing up as the only girl in a family of five kids--and therefore not required to do the same amount of sharing as the others--and being "the smart kid" all through school, I think. Whatever caused this little personality quirk, the fact remains that I like to do my own thing in my own space.
All of this is a round about way of saying, "I'm leaving iVillage."
I loved Sanity and the Solo Mom and will always be thankful to iVillage for giving me the chance to build that blog and meet so many fantastic women, both single and married, moms or not. But The Daily Mom isn't a good fit for me. The joy I had every time I pulled up the screen to write a new entry or check the comments at Solo Mom just isn't there anymore because this doesn't feel like my space. So, rather than subject you to my ennui when you come here looking forward to reading about parenting and mom topics, iVillage and I have decided that it's time for me to go.
I'm not quitting blogging--I've still got a lot to say about the life of a solo mom in North America and, as our kind of family continues to be on the rise, I think it's more important than ever that our families have a voice in the momosphere. So, I'll be contributing to Work It, Mom! fairly regularly--especially as I try to decide exactly what the work/home balance is in our life--and there's that as yet unnamed MBT column I'll be writing. Plus, I'll be over at Parenting Without A License nearly every day talking about raising Zen Baby and Diva Girl on my own, how to answer the tough questions that come with working without a net, juggling dating with diapers, and whatever else pops into my head. But, as of December 7, I won't be here anymore.
It's a good thing, I promise. I'm very excited to be taking the next step to my own url--moving on up, if you will (points to the first person to get the reference), and to be honest, I think some of my best writing is already over at Parenting Without A License--not that what I write here isn't good, mind you. I've always tried to give it 100% no matter where I'm writing. It's just different when it's yours; I feel more of a freedom to bust out and really be me over at Parenting Without A License. Or, at least I do when NaBloPoMo isn't kicking my ass.
I really hope you'll stop by and check out the new place; if you liked me here, you'll love me there.
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It will be nice to find you in places where my comments will post :)
Rock on!
I enjoyed reading about your life as I can relate. I am also a solo mom with three kids- 12, 7 and 2. They are my world and everything I do is for them and about them. Would love to compare stories with you.
I'll be following you over to Parenting Without a License to keep reading! Honestly, I wasn't too thrilled when the blogs were combined either. Congrats on your own URL.
PS-- The Jeffersons.
Movin' on up, to the West Side!
Kimberly, Sorry to see you go but truth be told, I'm not crazy about the combined format either. Though I like to think I play well with others, us writer-types do tend to want to do their own things. I guess that's why all those group projects my kids would bring home made me cringe. Anyhoo, best of luck with your new venture and hope you'll keep reading and commenting here! Cheers, Laurie
PS: Good try Cait, but it's "Movin' on up, to the EAST side." I've even passed the actual building used for the interior shots in nearby NYC. Cheers, Laurie
Laurie, thanks. I've enjoyed reading about your College Student and daughter this past year (I just liked it better when I had to click on your url to do it ;)
Thanks for the best wishes. I hope you'll stop by the new place and I'll make it a point to drop in on you here now and then!
She's got you, Cait. It IS the Jeffersons, but it's the East Side. Looks to me like you both win.
Debbie, come on over to Parenting Without A License and compare away! I'll bet you've got quite a few stories with that crew, and I'd love to hear them.
Great post !!!
I host a internet radio show,devoted to women and domestic issues.
I'd love to interview any of you for my show.
Thanks
I admit defeat. Laurie, you win!
By the way, reading you ladies has finally given me courage to start my own blog. I'll be up by the end of the week! Yippee!
Hello,
I wanted to say that I have been reading your post for about a year and I love it! I think that the reason they went to the combined format was because "Funny Mom" didn't have the popularity of you or Laurie so they thought if they brought everyone together they would read hers after they read yours........but hers still sucks, and still isn't funny! I will also still read your post over at parenting without a license. You do a great job and I won't miss "un"funny mom!!!!!
No way I love funny mom, although a more accurate title would be complainer mom. anyway sorry to see you go I wont b efollowing you cos I just read all the blogs on ivillage. i odnt like the combined format either its too confusing who do I select to read more, too much clicking too do. i viallge sholud take note at all the commenters who dont like it.