New parents know that feelings of intense isolation can emerge when they bring home that “tiny, needy, crying, confusing” baby. Add a set of powerful language and cultural barriers, and that isolation can seem even more daunting. The good news is, the Internet can help. According to a research study led by a new father, blogging can help overcome those parenting blues.
Researcher Brandon T. McDaniel collected data from 57 new moms with Internet access:
[The] data showed a positive correlation between blogging and feelings of connectedness to family and friends — which in turn correlates (based on the work of other researchers) with maternal well-being and health.
Though the study didn’t come up with any conclusive evidence, the results are encouraging. (And I see no reason why it shouldn’t apply to new dads as well.) Interestingly, simply engaging in social media didn’t have the same affect (possibly because it’s a more passive activity).
For the majority of the mom bloggers, it was staying in touch with family and friends that mattered the most. In addition, parenting blogs offer a small, intimate community of people who support and advise each other through the good and the bad; social media users, on the other hand, curate their content to show only the good times.
For some inspiration to kick start your blogging journey, here are some of our picks:
- Alive Not Dead: The blog of Christopher Lay, beijingkids columnist and stay-at-home dad extraordinaire.
- Ember Swift: The official website of Ember Swift, a Beijing-based Canadian musician and brand-new mom. Her blogs include Preggers in China (chronicling her pregnancy) and Queer Girl Gets Married (chronicling her decision to marry the father of her child).
- Imagethief: Public relations expert and dad Will Moss writes about pop culture, China, and fatherhood.
- InCultureParent: An online magazine about global parenting, which features blog posts by parents from all around the world – including China.
- The Tiger Father: Former cricket reporter Trevor Marshallsea recounts the hilarious ins-and-outs of being a stay-at-home dad in Beijing.
Did you blog through a birth or other parenting experience? Did it help? Let us know in the comments.
