The MomSpeak

The first time I opened the big fat Baby Book That Shall Not Be Named, I freaked. Just freaked. It was probably a combination of first trimester hormones and the legitimate fears of a first time mom-to-be, but those so-called experts destroyed my confidence in my ability to be a parent.

It seemed to me from the Baby Book That Shall Not Be Named that parenting had nothing to do with love or commitment or even instinct, but one’s ability to memorize the 14 pediatrician-approved breastfeeding holds or dedication to creating a perfect germ-free home.

I was going to be a total and complete failure as a parent.

And so, like tons of parents-maybe even like you–I turned to the web. I couldn’t believe what I found: Message boards, blogs, websites, and online communities filled with people like me who were admitting that they too were freaked out. Plus advice. Oh boy, was there advice. But not from experts who seemed to have no understanding of the constraints and limitations of real-life moms– more like moms themselves who were willing to contribute their own experiences to the community and see if it might benefit anyone. Less the “ask an expert” approach to parenting and more “ask the chick from your new moms group, the one with the bangs and the cool sling.”

It was awesome.

Now, three years into this parenting thing I’m still looking to fellow moms online to pick me up when I’m down, talk me through the sleep issues, help me figure out what to do on rainy days, or simply make me laugh.

Of course not every person with a keyboard and a uterus makes for a savvy advice-giver. You have to consider your sources and pick and choose from among the nutjobs. (I hear there are a few of these nutjobs on the internet. Is that true?)

In doing so, I’ve found some truly remarkable voices whom I check in with often.
The following are a list of just some of my favorites. Some I’ve met in person and some I only feel like I know. All are worth a bookmark:

Mommytrack’d, Parenthacks and Savvy Source – Yes, they’re contributors to The Mom Speak too, but I swear no one put me up to it. All of these sites are outstanding resources. We especially love it when the comment threads on ParentHacks get feisty.

RookieMoms.com – Heather and Whitney are self-proclaimed “geeky girls” with the best suggestions for activities to help you survive the first year of parenthood, all organized in categories like crafts, indoors, silly and free/cheap.

Kids Off The Couch – Once your kids (and you) have survived the first year, check out this site run two moms with an endless stream of ideas for fun activities and outings to help bring family friendly-movies, new and old, to life. Their free emails are great too.

MommyDocs.com – This is an excellent site for pediatric advice for moms, by moms. Moms who also happen to be practicing physicians. Their attitude is on the easy-going, common sense side of things, and I find their advice talks me off a ledge more often than it talks me up on one.

SafeMama.com – I love this site for product recos on essentials like bpa-free baby bottles, plus their easy access to product recall alerts and FDA press releases right on the homepage.

BabyGizmo.com – This is a truly excellent resource for gear reviews by real, although very savvy, parents who’ve been in the trenches with unwashable high chairs and useless diaper bags themselves. There’s also a feature to help you see which online retailer has the best prices on any given item. Score.

Vegan Lunchbox – This blog from mom Jennifer McCann documents every impressive lunch she’s ever packed for her kid, with links to the recipes and how well they went over. Don’t be scared by the vegan part – there are plenty of outstanding ideas to be loved by card-carrying bologna-eaters too.

The Zero to Forty Pregnancy Calendar on Alphamom – Readers of columnist Amy Storch’s personal blog, Amalah, won’t be surprised that this pregnancy guide-cum-journal is hilarious (From the 27 week entry: You are officially in the third trimester! Feel free to celebrate/panic at will.). But it’s informative too, with comprehensive tips on things like traveling when pregnant, and prenatal massage. So much more fun that The Baby Book That Shall Not Be Named.

CoolMomPicks.com – I kid! I kid! No, I don’t kid. We’re awesome. Stop by sometime, won’t you?

Which online mom experts do you rely on? We’re always looking for great new resources for parents.