Blogging makes a new mom's world smaller

computer

New moms who jump into the world of blogging feel less alone and more supported than moms who don’t. This can mean reading or writing blogs according to new research.

Blogging creates support for new moms

“It looks like blogging might be helping these women as they transition into motherhood because they may begin t feel more connected to their extended family and friends, which leads them to feel more supported,” explained Brandon T. McDaniel, graduate student in human development and family studies at Penn State. “That potentially is going to spill out into other aspects of their well-being, including their marital relationship with their partner, the ways that they’re feeling about their parenting stress, and eventually into their levels of depression.”

Researchers interviewed 157 new mothers about their media use and their state of mind. They were all first time moms with only one child under 18 months old. While blogging appeared to help the new moms feel better, social networking (Facebook and MySpace) did not make any difference.

Blogging helps stay at home moms connect

Reading and writing blogs helped stay at home moms feel connected to family and to the world as a whole. Some moms wrote blogs documenting their experiences as a way of sharing their family events with people who were far away. The blogs gave new moms a way to stay in touch and showcase their accomplishments.

“We’re not saying that those who end up feeling more supported all of a sudden no longer have stresses, they’re still going to have those stressful moments you have as a parent,” said McDaniel. “But because they’re feeling ore supported, their thoughts and their feelings about that stress might change, and they begin to feel less stressed about those things.”

Source: MedicalNewsToday, Penn State


disclaimer

This information is solely for informational and educational purposes only. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, family planning, child psychology, marriage counseling and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care or mental health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of NaturalFamilyOnline.com or the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action involving the care of yourself or any family members which results from reading this site. It is always best to speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Additional information contained in our Legal Statement

Poll
What does your weekly dinner look like?
The whole family dines together at home
63%
The whole family dines together at a restaurant
1%
Parents and children eat separately
4%
Whoever is around eats together
21%
Every family member for themselves!
11%
Total votes: 5755
family