Parenting Sites 411

I am so excited for today’s interview with Loretta Oliver. Loretta is an online friend of mine who lives in Newport News, Virginia. She is smart, crafty, and has four boys (Dylan, 9 almost 10;, Lucas, 8; Noah, 7; Ethan, 6)! In September she will have been experiencing marital bliss for 10 years.

My dream is to be smart, crafty, and have four boys, so I am kind of internet stalking her for a little while. I don’t think she minds too much though.

I asked her to be my first parent blogger interview because she was the one who made the hand prints for my rating system when I do an “official” review of a website. Yeah, I haven’t done one in a while, but this is about Loretta, not me.

Loretta graciously took a bunch of questions I emailed her and answered them. So, without further ado, I present:

Loretta Oliver, parent blogger

1. What is your blog URL?
A:http://retta.blogspot.com
http://craftblog.stitchingthenightaway.com
http://www.justnotmartha.com
You can pick one or use all three, I’m not picky!

2. How long have you been blogging?
A: 5 years or so, my first original blog is long gone though, lost in cyber space somewhere, I think I had made it on tripod and it was bright purple and green LOL

3. Why did you start?
A: I was probably bored one day, I really don’t remember why I started. Writing thoughts down helps keep me from going crazy.

4. What do you get out of blogging?
A: Do you think that blogging helps you as a parent? It keeps me sane, and reading what other parents write reminds me that I’m not alone.

5. You use your kids’ names and pictures in your blog (at least I am assuming they are your real names and pictures). Do you ever worry about internet safety for them?
A: At one point I did worry about it quite a lot.
Then I realized they are in danger everywhere they go. They go to school and they are in danger, they go to the grocery store and they are in danger, they eat a peanut butter sandwich and they are in danger! So, I got over it I guess and it doesn’t bother me. I’m easy to find, and someone can find them through me regardless. With the oldest getting into email and websites now I do worry a little more there with what he is doing, but they know the rules and not to talk to anyone they don’t know. (He plays MMORPG games and he has strict rules on who he can group with and not group with)

6. Do you have topics about your family that you will not write about in your blog?
A: Well, I try not to blog about my sex life, other people might get jealous (wink wink)

7. Will you let your kids blog if they ever ask?
A: Yes, absolutely. I’ll even set it up and personalize it for them. I might even be inclined to share my precious hosting space.

8. What do you do when you are not blogging?
A: Chase kids, sleep, take a shower! Or my favorite, watch a movie.

9. Do you have any parenting websites that you like to reference when looking for information on specific parenting topics?
A: Nothing comes to mind specifically, we’re a fly by night operation here LOL

10. Do you have any favorite parent bloggers you like to read on a daily basis?
A: My google reader has about 250 blogs in it right now, most of them are general and talk about family a lot. Reality at it’s best.

Thanks, Loretta!

parent blogger, Loretta Oliver, blogger interview, interview