Carla: We know we’ve been a little quiet over here at the Rev. November was a sucky month for both of us and we are glad to see it go. But in the middle of the suckiness, we’ve had an idea that we want to bounce off of you.
We want to expand the Revolution. Right now, it’s just the two of us blathering on about this and that, and all of you making the whole blog so much better with your insights and honesty. So we want to make the Mommy Rev. more like a magazine with contributors and sections and regular features that not only offers more thoughts on more topics, but also makes space for more voices in this conversation.
We’ll keep blogging, but by next spring, we want to have a fresh site that is a one-stop resource for women and men who want to reframe parenting, faith, and life. While not being specifically a Christian site, we want to incorporate spirituality into what we’re doing not only because of our faith, but because we believe that spirituality is part of every life, no matter how a person expresses it.
Caryn and I are busy thinking about the kinds of issues we’d want to cover in this e-zine/website mash-up we have in our heads. We know we don’t want this to be about parenting in the “12 Ways to Get Your Kid to Eat Broccoli” kind of way, but we want to cover the fullness of who we are as people.
So we want to hear from you. What kind of broad topics do you want to read about? What are the big questions that we should explore?
Caryn: Yay! I’m so excited about this. We seriously have some cool stuff cooking in our heads and up our sleeves.
But I’d also like to know the types of formats you enjoy (besides our little back-and-forth blog chats, of course). I mean, do you like a little Q&A with “celebrity” guests. Do you want more in-depth, Vanity Fair type exposes that mean Carla and I have to spend lots of time snooping around the Hamptons this summer (please say yes)? And are there some really practical, how-to sorts of things that you might find helpful? I mean while we’re NOT looking to tell you how to get your kids to eat broccoli (I’ve just given up, frankly), I often want to know some specific tips on some parenting things (like how to get an embedded earring back out of my daughter’s ear, for example. Thank you, Facebook friends!) and on some woman and life kinds of things.
So please, tell us, tell us, tell us. And tell us WHO you’d like to hear from as well. And if you happen to be a gifted designer and web-person who’d like to do this for–um, how shall we put this?–crap pay, let us know that too.
Hope we can get you all as excited as we are.
The Mommy Revolution 
Posted by lisa boylan on December 4, 2009 at 1:33 pm
I think that is an awesome idea!
Personally, I welcome any ‘real’ voices out there that are willing to delve deep into the muck of daily living. I’ve always been a pretty open-book (Carla – you know this) and feel that we can learn so much from one another. The topics you two have posted on here have – many times – been uncomfortable (in a good way) and you both know how to bring up rough subjects without making judgment.
I would love to read more of the Mommy Revolution and all its extensions. If you guys need anything from a cancer-surviving, beer drinking, pudgy-yet-cute, expensive shoe fetishette, Jesus-loving mama – just let me know… 🙂
Posted by Kristi on December 4, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Fabulous idea!
I can think of a few sections you might like to include:
First a section where one real mom per issue comes on and writes about where she started, where she is, and how/why those transformations have taken place.
Second, it would be super-cool if you could include a section on sex and gender- intimacy in the marriage, affairs, fantasies, gender roles, relationships, modeling healthy sexual relationships for kids, fighting sexism and misogyny within the home… I am sure there are plenty more topics to discuss under this section.
Hmm… I guess I will think of more in a while, but for now I have to go get my son out of time-out. :p
Good luck!!
Posted by mamaleesie on December 4, 2009 at 1:46 pm
“Second, it would be super-cool if you could include a section on sex and gender- intimacy in the marriage, affairs, fantasies, gender roles, relationships, modeling healthy sexual relationships for kids, fighting sexism and misogyny within the home…”
LOVE this idea!
Posted by Ellen Hsu on December 4, 2009 at 3:31 pm
I’d appreciate an a section or an occasional piece about parenting kids with special needs. I also third the request for a section on sex and gender intimacy in the marriage, etc.
Posted by Rita on December 4, 2009 at 3:56 pm
I would love help out on pregancy /birth/sexuality issues. I’ve taught quite abit on sexuality . I have a very good friend who is a Christian sex therapist and seminary teacher . I’ve taught her some – she has taught me some. I am a official Titus 2 woman, masters prepared nurse -practioner , nurse midwife , bible teacher , spent over 3 years studying gender issues, married to my exact opposite for 37 years (at least for the next 4 weeks at least- he is on my last nerve) . I’ve been catholic, Charismatic , Baptist- now a bit emergent but always a lover of Jesus. Still I am a being sanctified mess.
As a mom I would like to undersatnd why my 20 year old daughter unfriended me during her sophomore year in college when everyone else thinks I’m cool. Boy that hurt.
I am a mom of three and grandma of six. Mydaughter -in-law is difficult Grandkids adore me.
I really have no time but what also like to understand the heart of moms today since I see about 20 of them a day. I find that Christian women in particular have a lot of fear about birth IMO.
Posted by Robyn on December 8, 2009 at 10:06 am
Rita, how interesting! Why do you think that Christian women, in particular, fear birth? I’m 7 months pregnant with my second and opted for a home birth with a licensed midwife this time around. I’m not scared. I’m exhilarated! Having made this choice, I feel so free! There is a small sub-culture in my area of moms who are very into the whole crunchy, home-birth, attachment parenting thing, mostly Christians!
Posted by Steve B. on December 4, 2009 at 5:17 pm
If you grow your own broccoli with your kid, she/he is far more likely to eat it.
I also have gained much insight on raising an only child and I’m never shy about sharing it.
Posted by Heather on December 6, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I’m interested in discussions about womanhood. The whole package, which I feel isn’t talked about in a well rounded, balanced way.
Posted by Robyn on December 8, 2009 at 10:03 am
I would like NOT to see any “celebrities” whatsoever. Well, maybe you can have an occasional one. But I would like to see the entire thing (or mostly) written by people who do NOT make their living doing the writing/speaking circuit. Basically, I think it would be really cool if you could mine your already-present fan base for contributors who are “on the front lines.” *raises hand*
I’d like NOT to see any definitions. Not of “motherhood,” “womanhood,” or any other “-hood.” Explorations, discussions, yes. Definitions, NO.
I’d love to see first-person accounts on “this is how I do(n’t) make it work in real life.”
Maybe an “advice column” type feature, but interactive. The editors (you) could choose a question from submissions and then provide an open forum for answers from the community (moderated, please).
And definitely what Kristi said.
Posted by Robyn on December 8, 2009 at 10:07 am
Oh, and I don’t eat broccoli, so neither does my kid! LOL
Posted by Caryn on December 9, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Love all the suggestions! And I’m glad (and not surprised) to see the sex stuff. : ) Actually, that’s a good example of why broadening the Rev is a good next step. We think sex is something that should be talked about more honestly as well–but it’s tough right now if it’s just me and Carla starting the conversation here. Because as open as we try to be, well, let’s face it, it’s nice to keep SOME things private.
Posted by chanda on December 10, 2009 at 2:06 am
Hi–I’m a “lurker” on this blog…but I’ve loved it for a while. Just wanted to “de-lurk” and say that the expansion sounds GREAT. And I second the thoughts of Robyn—no celebs, please. There is enough of that in my grocery store checkout line (“Tiffani-Amber shares her top 6 new baby must-haves!!”). I like hearing from everyday, thoughtful, sleep-deprived mamas who are trying to be Christ-like.
I also like the idea of a section on sexuality, etc.
Posted by April G. on December 10, 2009 at 7:30 am
I am excited! I agree with the others who would rather have “real” moms than celebrities who appear to have it all together.
Sexuality? Bring it on!
Another thing I can’t seem to figure out is how people actually afford life after children. It seems like a lot of families aren’t making ends meet – including ours. How do people actually do it? Is the dream really an illusion?
I also like the question-and-answer idea.
What do I want? Realness, honesty, open discussion, questions, and a few answers that work might be nice too.
Sorry for my jumbledness – I am not really coherent this early in the morning.
Posted by Pam at beyondjustmom on December 14, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I love this idea too. One thing I really appreciate is the two-way banter between Caryn and Carla. Perhaps it would be fun to present point/counterpoint perspectives on different issues. It’s a nice way to show respect for complicated issues, especially around spirituality, without boiling them down to black & white.
Let it roll, ladies–it sounds very exciting– and if you’re open to unknown contributors, I’d love to give it a shot ;-).
By the way, I wanted to share that my women’s group is discussing Mama’s ID for the next several weeks and enjoying it thoroughly. Excellent fuel for great conversations!
Posted by Charlotte on December 18, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Hey Everybody.
I’m back. I’ve peeked over a few times over the last several months & I’ve been keeping up with Caryn’s twitter statuses to see how things are going. I just got into a season of working (for the first time in 5 years) & had no time for blogs–mine or anyone else’s. But, in light of events this week involving a pretty well known (although I had never heard of her) blogger and the death of her child, I’d like to see this site facilitate some discussions about the role of social networking and how it can enhance community for women with people we know and are in community with throughout the course of our daily lives, as well as with people who we haven’t met in person and might not ever meet in person, but run into occasionally on different social media forums.
Thanks!
Charlotte
Posted by lisa boylan on December 19, 2009 at 12:19 am
Charlotte,
I like that idea.
At times – while separated from my physical friends – I have used social networking as a means of a ‘social life’. I am a military wife/mom/woman/make-up artist/active Facebooker … and since we move around, physical friendships are tough to delve into (especially for an introvert, like me). I’ve honestly ‘met’ some of the most amazingly caring and wonderful people online through my Scrabble group (nerdy, I know). These people were the ones that called from countries all around the world when I was in the hospital for cancer; they sent cards that about 30 ‘friends’ signed; I received books in the mail for reading while recovering …… all from a silly social networking game. Thank God, for that and for them. I will probably never meet a majority of these people, but am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to embrace a 21st century friendship with amazingly cool people.
So, with that said … I would totally embrace this topic.
xox Lisa
P.S. My husband laughs at me (in the kindest manner) when I talk of my Scrabble buddies and calls them my imaginary friends!! 🙂
Posted by April G. on December 19, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I had not heard of the blogger Mama’s loss. What blog? What happened?
Posted by BornFreeMom on December 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm
I hope all is still well…I’d love to hear from real moms about daily life, lots of photos, the occasional recipe perhaps.
Posted by Honoring Moms, Not Motherhood « The Mommy Revolution on May 7, 2010 at 5:12 pm
[…] want to take the Mommy Revolution from here. While we have lots of ideas, our favorite is still the e-zine idea we had last fall. But we can’t pull it off alone. So we are asking you to start […]
Posted by Honoring Moms, Not Motherhood | Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira on March 11, 2011 at 3:13 pm
[…] want to take the Mommy Revolution from here. While we have lots of ideas, our favorite is still the e-zine idea we had last fall. But we can’t pull it off alone. So we are asking you to start thinking–and […]