Charming photo by Keith Parker. Less than charming edits by me.
Why do moms love my blog so much?
This is an increasing area of concern. Not because I have anything against it – I love moms. Particularly my own. But I’m a little confused as to how the things I write about appeal to the average mom. I don’t talk about what I would consider ‘mom things’.
I can’t tell you how many times people tell me that their mom loves my blog. It’s very strange to me to be given a passed down compliment from a surprising hit demographic. The feedback has been building over time, but I think it hit an all-time high when I was forwarded an email at work today from my coworker’s mom that simply stated “Tell Jackie I put my underwear on backwards today. I just noticed it in the bathroom”.
It was followed by her professional business signature line.
My coworker’s mother is, of course, referring to my frequent posts about underwear malfunctions. In fact, if you type ‘underwear’ into that little search box on the top right hand side of my page, you’ll almost turn up as many post results as you will with ‘cats’ or ‘food’.
Underpants are a big part of my life.
I don’t know most of these people’s mothers. And the people that have the mothers who love my blog don’t say anything in particular about the blog themselves; they’re just the messengers of someone else who likes it.
I have somehow roped a demographic I have no idea how to maintain.
I’ve thought about what will happen to my blog after 2011 and whether or not I’ll keep posting. And of course if I do, eventually one day I’ll be a mother and I’ll have to try to do a Mom Blog. I thought I’d be able to rope in a whole new cross section of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed moms. But as it turns out, they’re already reading. They don’t want to read about babies and barf and cute kid quotations. They want to read about people who struggle to put their underwear on correctly and consistently.
This is surprising news. Perhaps I can conduct studies on my blog and sell it to marketing researchers. I’ll tell them to cut down on their references to baby products and support groups and fire up discussions on cats, hot apartments, stressed working relationships, and food. I suppose it’s time to change my tagline.
TheJackieBlog.com: Life is Funny Your Mom Will Love It. ♣
The Jackie Blog 
Um… guilty of being a mum but I’ve never really thought of the whole I’m a mum so I shouldn’t be interested in your non-mumness…. I read your blog because I like the way you write.
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hank you, E! 🙂
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We moms are desperately seeking insight into how the young adult mind works. Since we can’t get anywhere with our own kids, we hope we can pick up some clues from you.
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I wonder what your kids are like. I really do.
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I’m not a mom. I like your blog. I think once you become a mom and start talking about being a mom you will lose your demographic because they’ve been there-done that.
That said, I think you appeal to moms because their children are your age and they like to know where their children’s interests are now that they’ve left the nest. You are a window into their own child’s life, however hazy or distorted it may be. Pegoleg said it well!
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“I think once you become a mom and start talking about being a mom you will lose your demographic because they’ve been there-done that.”
No way. 🙂 I’m a (young) mom and I’ll definitely continue reading once Jackie becomes a mom. I don’t read “mom” blogs, but I’d certainly read one that was doin’ it Jackie-style. I’d love to read her take on parenting.
Jackie, I don’t think the appeal of your blog as anything to do with being a mom or not being a mom. You’re just a great writer. I think all the “my mom loves your blog” comments are stemming from the fact that:
1) A lot of women read your blog
2) Many women are close to their mothers and share their interests with them, and
3) Those mothers may not be ones for commenting on blogs, so the daughters are passing on the message.
My mom is only just now thinking of getting a computer, and I’ll definitely be telling her about your blog once she gets up and running,
so I’m sure you’ll be getting a “my mom loves your blog!” comment from me, too. 🙂
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Hey thanks, Michelle. And you’re right – a lot of women do read my blog. Perhaps I jumped to the mom and should have focused on the women.
But who knows what kind of hate comments that distinction would have inspired 🙂
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The inside scoop seems to be a great deal of the appeal as well. Thanks for doing the investigative work for me. Now all I have to do is figure out how to capitalize on it… 🙂
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lol… if my mom were to read blogs, she’d probably like yours. It is entertaining, regardless of whether you have babies/children or not. Then again, if she starts reading blogs, I’m going to insist she starts to read mine first 😛
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Your mom doesn’t read your blog? I assumed all mothers read their childrens’ blogs to keep tabs on them. Mine does 🙂
Thanks for the comment!!
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I think you’re onto something here…
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fame. that’s what.
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I have a feeling that moms like to read the stuff that non-moms write because it reminds them of when they weren’t a mom. My mom thinks I’m hilarious, when she doesn’t think I’m clearly someone else’s daughter. (Disclaimer: My mom doesn’t read blogs. She probably doesn’t know what one is.) I have to guess that when moms read mommy blogs, they’re constantly comparing themselves to the writer: “Do I do that? Can I relate? What does that say about me?” Reading a non-mommy blog takes the pressure off. But I’m just guessing. Since I’m not a mom.
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That seems to be the consensus! You definitely called it 🙂
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Well… I’m a mom.. but not like and “old” mom. I started reading your blog because you were pretty darn funny in school. But I continue to read it because it is a welcome break from anything kid related. Don’t get me wrong. My 2 year old says a lot of funny things… but sometimes you just need a break. AND it makes me wonder if my life would have been like your life if I hadn’t been surprised by a little bundle of joy (and poop)… I use to do fun things.. I think :p
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haha I love the distinction between moms and “old” moms. Thank you so much for reading – and for the kind comment. Cmon, you STILL do fun things. Babies are a blast. And so is parenting, I’ll bet. Maybe I have a super fantasized version of it because I’m not there yet, but it seems like a jolly good time from the outside. You know, poop bundles aside.
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I have to admit that I’m a little insulted. I’m a mom and I read your blog. And my mom reads your blog too. I think it’s a sad idea that becoming a mom somehow classes you as a person that’s only interested in her parenthood. It’s like people think all the rest of you falls out with the placenta. I’m interested in all sorts of “non mom” things, and I think this will be a post you look back on when your a mom and laugh.
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Hi Tara 🙂
I’m so glad that your mom reads my blog too!! I’m sorry if you were somewhat insulted by this post. I didn’t mean to insinuate that moms are only interested in mom things. I start out musing on that idea but come to the realization at the end that “as it turns out, they’re already reading. They don’t want to read about babies and barf and cute kid quotations. They want to read about people who struggle to put their underwear on correctly and consistently.”
I was kind of mulling over the whole bit lightheartedly throughout the post and I came to a conclusion. So sorry to make a blanket assumption on moms – I certainly did not mean to 🙂 I hope that when I become a mom I’m still every bit myself as well!!
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Don’t worry! I’m still reading your blog and I’m not planning to become a mom for quite some time still 😉
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haha thanks, Lian.
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Well,,, I’m YOUR Mom and I love your blogs. I read them because you’ve always made me laugh and I know how your mind works. I like to see how your mind churns from day to day and I need a laugh every day to get through the “Mom” things in life. Now… I’m not only a Mom but a Grandmom and I will forever read your blog as long as it’s out there to read. Us Moms need to know we are individuals still, not just Moms and your blog helps me do that.
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Thanks MOM. 😛
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Well… I’m a guy… and I’m gay? Um…
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I didn’t mean to leave you out, NYC. If more people came up to me and said “hey, I know a gay guy that reads your blog” maybe I’d be so inclined to write a post… But I have to admit I don’t get a lot of that 😛
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Hi Jackie – I am glad that my inside out underwear inspired one of your blogs. 🙂 Of course you inspired me first by blogging about your various underwear malfunctions. You have a knack for discussing things in a way that people of all ages can identify with. I really enjoy reading your daily musings. And I am damned proud that this mom’s underwear glitch tickled you enough to post about it. Hey that professional signature line was a nice touch, don’t you think? Hee hee Ties in with the joys of working in the corporate world posts that you do so well. We make a good team 😉
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Ah yes – inside out. I wish I could have accessed my work email from home to make sure I got it right. I’m so glad you gave me the post idea! 🙂 Thanks so much for being such an avid reader.
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