Putting Away The Soap Box- a Personal Note to you all.

Oh dear, here we go again......

It appears I've done it again.

What, I hear you ask, have you got your self into now?

Well, I am never one not to voice an opinion, or to express my viewpoint, and it has often landed me in it. Why do I do it then? Because if I feel that something I believe in is at risk, or if I receive messages about unfairness, over things that upset my readers or fellow blog writers, then I can't help but say something. 

I do try and do it fairly, I hate bitchiness to the core. But the inevitable problem lies in that the net is a read only device, so the reader can only guess at the tone in which a comment is written.

Nine times out of ten I am sarcastic, I know its the lowest form of wit, but I come from a long line of Sarcastic B***ards so the gift is something I have no control over. Some people love sarcasm, but others hate it, and me no doubt!

However, I expressed a viewpoint yesterday which was completely taken out of context. 

And I am slowly starting to think that to survive in the shaky world of Mummy Blogging, we must toe a party line and whether we agree with something or not, the best way to do anything is to sadly, do nothing. Especially if the person you don't agree with (although I hasten to point out that "don't agree with" does not mean "do not like", as surely you can disagree with someones views and still ultimately like them as a person) is someone who is well respected or liked in the Mummy Blogging community, or more established than yourself?

I have said it before- I love Parent Blogging, but do sadly now see that with every good point, there will come a time when a bad element (not person, I'm talking in respect of gossiping, bitching and in fighting) does filter in as the network becomes more successful, and busier.  I had feared that for some time, since the dawn of 2010, this time has arrived.

The fault?

Is it that our views  are now called on for all sorts of Gameshowesque prizes from PRs in return for a small write up? Or because more and more of us are being courted by the press too?

I worry that rather than patting people on the back, there is an element of sticking a knife there instead.

So, apologies, but I am putting away my soap box for a while. I still invite you all to contact me for advice, but I wont be voicing yours and my opinions in the public domain. I care about my blog too much to be writing it for no reason. I am also resigning from any lists, from the Top 100, Post Rank, Technorati, the lot. 

I will be blogging for blogs sake, not the small glory of my name in a list, and I urge others to continue with their blogs regardless of these lists.

We are a talented bunch regardless, so don't ever feel like giving up because you don't make it in. 

If you feel that your inclusion in the lists means more PR companies contacting you, well its not always the case. I work with lots of PRs, and most are more interested in hearing your actual stats from you. And I am happy to let anyone who wants to Guest Review for Family Panel, so let me know if you want to do that. We even have a little badge now! (See, sarcasm), and we link to your personal blog in the first part of the piece, and with average daily views reaching 200, I'm sure you'll not be ignored as a blogger for long.

I am still happy to promote those who feel ignored or in the shade on here to, in fact I am thinking, depending on what you lovely bunch think, of doing a monthly "Sending Blogger Love" feature, so still drop me an email if you'd like me to encourage new readers from my old loyal followers.

Thanks.

20SM