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I'm just going to spit it out. I miss BabyCenter. I'm pretty upset that, after 2 years there, I was let go. I don't believe it was about the numbers. I know that I got a lot of hits. It was because I wasn't afraid to lay it on the line and take hits. I believe I connected with readers. I felt that my strength was writing with honesty and humor about my kids. To not even get emails back from editors over there - well - it is disappointing.

I have found myself so many times in the past six months thinking, "Wow, that is a total BabyCenter article" but then I have to remember, "No, I don't write for them anymore." I'm irritated at myself at how much of my validation as a person came from those articles. I felt like I made a difference.

I am not sure what my path is now. I know this is simply a time of transition for me. Like Daria who is about to embark on a new journey, it's my time to find myself. My kids are in school full time. What does this mean for my career? Where will I land?

I don't know about my future jobs (though I've been pitching quite a bit.) I don't know about what it will be like to be 40 - it's coming up fast. But one thing I am really really proud of, even with all my self-degration and perfectionistic "let's fix it" personality, is that I have happy kids. They love each other. They laugh like crazy. They dance and are silly and will play prince and princess as well as run naked through the mud. They are kind, gentle, enthusiastic souls. They wave to strangers, pray for bad people and giggle with abandon. I want to be them when I grow up.

In closing, with utmost respect for the organization that is Johnson and Johnson, BabyCenter can kiss my ass. I don't need no stinking column to know how fabulous I've got it with Stink and Pip.

* Photo of Stink right after he told his Cinderella, "Wait! I don't even know your name!" and passed back the slipper.

 


Comments

stel

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:22:49


phooey -- their loss,
your gain !!!

p.s. For what it's worth, I "was"
an avid reader !


 

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:35:04

I ditto stel!

 

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 05:51:13

I don't comment much anymore over there. They've lost their mojo. I think a lot of that mojo was you.

 

RedStacey

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:47:38

Hey, I was all ready to organize a full-scale boycott of BC and their advertisers when they let you go. How's THAT for a psycho obsessed reader LOL!

Seriously, I SO miss your mommy-blog over there, and I don't even bother reading any of the others anymore. I'm still waiting for "Baby Off Center," the Blog, owned and edited by YOU...

But if you change your mind about the boycott, let me know and I'll dust off the 'ol bullhorn and picket signs LOL!

 

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:01:22

It is a different place over there these days. Not nearly the personality or personability it once had. They made a huge mistake.

Definitely all one has to do to see what kind of a mom you are is look at your amazing kids. You rock!

 

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:49:07

Andrea love, you are not defined by your writing on BabyCenter - or any other site for that matter. The real you can be found right here, where no one can censor you or dictate what you say and when you say it. Your wit, humor, charm and even sometimes your insecurities shine through when you write from the heart. BabyCenter's loss is the rest of the world's gain in my opinion. On to bigger and better things my friend and I can't wait to see what you do next.

Hugs,

Deb

 

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:41:11

Baby Center SUUUUUUCKS now.

You're gone. It's all feel good crap now. Sorry, motherhood isn't feeling good all the time.

I miss you there. I don't comment a lot on BC anymore.

 

Irishmama7

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:24:30

I ditto many of the previous comments. You are missed tremendously at BC. BC lost a lot of readers and just plain good help, fun and e-friendliness of the momformation. :( However I do continue reading you and trying to follow others of the good ol' BC. Thanks for still writing. Oh and so happy to hear you are good and your spritual journey is going. You are an inspiration and your kids crack me up! Totally off topic I found at the library "Pip & Squeak" and I thought of your kiddos. :)

 

Alison

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:03:31

I miss you over there. I hardly even check in there anymore. I sill want to be you when I grow up.

 

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:30:33

Dude,
Thanks for the comment, it is nice to know you are checking up on me, even if it is a post written....oh dear lord....3 MONTHS ago!! I'll blame the baby. Yes, I am crazy and had a third child....a third boy, oy oy oy.
Congrats on the new job and good for you to realize your original plan wasn't working and altering it. I'm commenting on this post because, as pps have said, Baby Centre SUCKS now. I only go on to read what Betsy is up to. It is utter crap. And you totally have my loyalty. WRT your most recent post, I am having a hard time going back to work full time with my little baby at home. I come home to nurse during the day (I have a rather enviable 10 minute commute), so my working "full-time" is a bit of a joke since I tend to dawdle on my way back in to work. Anyway, hopefully I can get back in the blog groove, if only to check in on the really cool chicks (and yes, I mean you). Ciao for now.

 



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