I’m a multiple choice mom
Becky Suder
Feb 25, 2008
I had my first writer’s meeting recently. It went something like this:
At 12:15 p.m. I walked into the Richmond Times-Dispatch offices at 333 East Franklin.
At 12:30 p.m. I was still waiting in the grandiose intimidating hallway.
At 12:35 p.m. someone called to tell me I was in the wrong building and I was wearing the wrong outfit. OK, so they only called to tell me I was in the wrong building but I WAS really worried about the outfit. The question being, do Vans tennis shoes, my ex-husband‘s band T-shirt and a wool ski cap constitute an outfit?
I was to do a blog.
First question - what is a blog? Everywhere I looked on the Internet it seemed to me that blogs were like a diary you forgot to lock or perhaps a diary you opened up shoved it in someone’s face and said “Read me.”
Second question - what would I write about? I had a kid at 20 so I used to be a young mom. But fifteen years into it and pushing 40 that’s not true by any stretch of even my imagination.
Sure I’m a soccer mom, but I don’t drive a minivan and I am definitely not wearing Christmas sweaters; not to say that won’t change at 40 because stranger things have happened.
I’m not a Republican mom or a Democrat mom.
I love tattoos, Betty Crocker cookbooks and my son’s oversized sweatshirts.
I am a card-carrying PTA mom but I would rather spend my Tuesday nights playing basketball at the gym.
I volunteer in my son’s classroom and, to tell you the truth, even his classmates sometimes don’t know what to make of me.
I’m a tomboy mom in a house full of boys, but I wouldn’t miss a girls’ night out.
“Focus, Becky, focus,” I thought.
Write about all of the above because it is what makes you interesting and what people can relate to - that’s also what my contact says.
So I’m not A, B or C. I’m D - all of the above.
So who will read a blog about everything and nothing? A blog about kids, family life, raising boys and meeting budgets? A blog about fulfilling goals? About being a wife, sister, mother and friend? Who knows?
Next entry: The large itchy child belongs to me (and I love her)
Return to the Parenting blog »
Glad you have that cookbook since Beau can’t count on either of his grandmothers for a good meal. Our talents lie in other directions!
Lyn of Reston, VA
Mar. 4, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Who is your mother?
LOL
Rita Suder of Northern Virginia
Mar. 3, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Becky,
This is a great idea for a Blog and you lay it down so well! I can’t wait to hear more about your surprisingly common completely atypical family life! Best of writing success!
Arlo H. Hemphill of Los Angeles, California
Mar. 3, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Oh yeah missy! Really good stuff; and that’s coming from someone who has been reading what you’ve had to write for years! Remember, back in the day before email et al. when you used to write the most fabulous, long, hand-written letters the summers I was in the Philippines? Those were great and your blog is too. I have an idea - when you lack writing material, you should come for a visit and stock up on what I’m sure would be your really interesting observations on parenting in the middle of nowhere, Tuscany, Italy. Or maybe co-write with me something about wine? You go girl!
Jena Patterson of Montalcino, Italy
Mar. 3, 2008 at 08:58 AM
Becky,
I’ve been helping with pictures in a 50th Anniversary zine at Dylan’s preschool....and I’ve been thinking a lot about your zine you did years ago, was it K-5? At the time you were doing your zine, I didn’t have any children, or maybe I had baby Aidan.....but I most definitely did not have a school age child or any concept of what being a mother must or would be like. So literally last week I was thinking about how well written your zine was and how it would just be amazing if you did something similar....and if Dylan hadn’t broken his arm...I probably would have written to you and asked you when you’d start writing again. I was so excited to see that you beat me to the punch!
So, long story short, when you ask “who will read a blog about everything and nothing” the answer is I will, I will!
Congratulations Becky!!
Oh, and by the way, I’m not good with the whole blogging thing...can you let me know the best way to read your blog?
Thanks!
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Henkel of Chesterfield, VA
Feb. 27, 2008 at 10:49 AM
Keep up the good fight Rebbecca. I’d gladly read anything and everything that you’ve written. You bring humor and warmth to everything you write and you make it all very accessible to anybody. I’m not a mother, I’m not a father. I’m not a Democrat or a Republican. BUT I love all of your warm stories about everything and nothing. Write, write, write.
Woodrow
Woodrow of richmond
Feb. 27, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Becky, you know that even though I live in the midst of West end suburbia, I am not the traditional soccer mom either...so I will enjoy reading every blog. Keep it up!
Tori of West end Suburbia!
Feb. 27, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Cool Blog… When is the story about how you came to MD to visit Jonathan & Marissa....
Jonathan Rogers of Columbia MD
Feb. 27, 2008 at 12:59 AM
You go girl. I’m over 50 and you and I have had so much in common. Looking forward to all the words that you write.
Loraine Tracy of richmond
Feb. 26, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Like hey, wow, finally, a church I can really get behind. I mean, BLOG , yeah.
Becky, I remember your super-cool parenting ‘zine. I saved every single one of them, I thought they were brilliant. I’m a fan from way back.
I"ll be 40 this year. My daughter will be 10 next month. She’s in a band. Mine broke up due to divorce. I’m officially getting old. Right. I don’t believe that I ever thought I’d be living in a townhouse, driving a minivan in the ‘burbs, married going on ten years and the only one of three girls in my family with kids! But I rock my own old band’s T-shirt and sneakers every day, owning and running our own musical instruments store and life is good.
Sounds like yours is too. Can’t wait to read more of your blog. How do I subscribe?
Ariana of MD 'burbs
Feb. 26, 2008 at 11:13 PM
Becky,
I can’t wait to read your blog. As someone else with a teenager and a little one it nice to know I’m not the only one. Yipee for 14 and 3 at the same time. I’m still trying to get text talk and understand Yo Gabba Gabba..talk about 2 different worlds. I think it is going to be great and I wish you luck.
Karen G. of Haymarket, VA
Feb. 26, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Hi Becky…
Has it been so many years, when the heck did you get close to 40?!
I will read your blog..block..what is it again?
If you can help me decipher the ROFLs and LOLs that Emma keeps sending me..I will be most grateful!
So, how do I join your borg?
Take care,
Carole
Carole Benz of Reston/Germany
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Becky, you’re a natural writer! I love it! And even more that we have this bizarre common thread of experiences from northern VA
Nancy of Richmond
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:32 PM
I’d like to hear more about your political views. I’d also like to hear more about how spectacular your friends are.
Morgan of Richmond
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Who will read a blog about everything and nothing? I’m guessing everyone will want to read your blog because you write so well about things we all experience.
LA of RVA
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:28 PM
OK - how about some recipes for single fathers w/3 hr commutes.
m
Mike of Fairfax County
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:07 PM
way to go Becky!!
lisa of richmond
Feb. 26, 2008 at 01:03 PM
You can count on me to read and pass it on. Your outlook on parenting needs to be heard. You do not fit the traditional mommy mold and have done a great job with your family.
BJ Jackson
Feb. 26, 2008 at 12:52 PM
*raises hand*
I will read your blog about ‘everything and nothing’. I don’t blog because I’m too scared to share my life. I’m not a mom, I’m not a wife and I remember you telling me that I was going to be great at both. I never thought that you’d be EITHER of the before mentioned and after reading about your trials and tribulations through emails (before this blog) I know that I think you’re a pretty dang awesome wife, mom and friend!
When I DO finally grow up, I wanna be just like you. You rock!
Twyla of Norfolk, VA
Feb. 26, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Do you remember we were just saying to each at the soccer field about 4 years ago...’what is this whole ‘blogging’ thing kids are talking about?’
The wonders of technology and curiousity!
Can’t wait to read more!
'rina of Richmond, VA
Feb. 26, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Post a comment