Wednesday, July 16, 2008

The reasons we started our blog...

This stream of ramblings debuted in the blogosphere, metaphorically kicking and screaming, on May 9. That's long ago now for a quick reassessment of two obvious questions: Why are we blogging? Has it been worth it?

The first reason we started up was that it would provide a very useful kick to the posterior. By this, we mean that it was a project that would challenge and strengthen our thinking faculties, creative energies and discipline. Sorry if it sounds like a corporate mission statement, but there you go! But of course, you respond, these are also good enough reasons to start any number of activities (from stamp-collecting to authoring a book)....

Secondly, then, blogging seemed something especially suited to our exploiting Sonny's arrival. Our travails and anxieties would provide useful material, and also a framework in which other issues and thoughts could be presented and discussed. Hopefully, too, others would benefit from reading about our stumblings and hard-won (if still totally personal) conclusions.

And there we have our third reason: The project seemed the best way to reach out - to parents, of course, but also others in the Netsphere. Prior to this, we had pretty much never trafficked in either the childcare or blogging realms, so we could at one stroke widen our horizons and enrich our experiences in both. Both Mum and Pa have a background in journalism: If there's one thing that we've learned from our time in the profession, it is that interesting people and unlikely encounters can be found everywhere - and that strangers are just people who've not yet become our friends.

Last - though this is what many mommy or daddy bloggers cite as a major factor - we thought these ramblings might one day be of some interest to Sonny himself. Actually, we secretly suspect that he might be embarrassed by some of it - but we've not held back. Censorship is not something we're very keen on in the broader realm of affairs, so indulging in it in our own writings would seem rather dishonest. So sorry in advance, grown-up Sonny: Journalists are always for the truth!

So why do others do it? We'd love to know! It's been great so far and all our expectations have been met - though it's been hard graft sometimes. We've already linked up with some warm, generous and just darn interesting folk. Oh, and we're getting a kick out of saying - as bloggers are supposed to, or so we're told:

Do look through our posts, support our sponsors and start an honest conversation with us!

6 Comments:

Anonymous said...

Now i know the reason why you started this blog. :) hmm..You'll be reminded on the beautiful memories and the arrival of baby Sonny one day when you look back your blog.

Cloudsters said...

Greetings, simpleu! Yep, we're crossing our fingers and hoping that most of the memories will be beautiful ones...

Mumsgather said...

Now, that you've started this blog, you'll find one more reason which I discovered along the way. Having a blog is very much like having your own personal forum. For example, when I have a question to ask, I ask it on my blog and taddaaaa I get many useful suggestions instead of having to call up several friends all at the same time which is not possible. Hehe.

Cloudsters said...

We've noticed you employing that technique at your blogs a time or two, Mumsgather! Most useful.

Ruth said...

When I started my own blog it was mostly just to get myself writing again after a long hiatus. I never dreamed I would not only stick with it but practically become addicted!
One thing I didn't count on was how much I enjoy reading other people's blogs, getting a peek into someone else's world. I've certainly enjoyed following your adventures!

Cloudsters said...

Agreed! Vicariously living out other folks' lives (through blog-peeking) can eat up hours. Chores and other tasks get neglected... oops, mustn't say more.