Why? Because, as I have learned from reading posts and comments here and here the last few days, all is not well in BlogLand. The question of whether “We” should be getting free trips and interviews on the news and pieces published in books and magazines is once again up for debate, and it makes my heart feel very, very heavy.

I want to make something crystal clear to all my readers-I do not think I am “better” than any other blogger. When I write posts about being invited to blogger events, about what I’m packing for the trip, about what gifts were bestowed upon me, I am NOT trying to make anyone else feel bad, and if I have, I am sincerely sorry. I don’t look at it like bragging, I look at it as me sharing good news with my readers. I am just as happy when other bloggers get invited places and get free stuff as I am for myself. And sure, it bothers me when I read that other bloggers think that the bloggers I look up to are “pimping’ themselves out. Good gods, people! Why can’t we be supportive of each other?

There was a comment left on Rita’s post at Surrender, Dorothy that really upset me. Rita is publishing an anthology of stories written by a terrific group of bloggers, and the commenter referred to that group as “tired, pimping whores”. My GOD. I don’t know if that blogger is upset that she wasn’t chosen to be included, but she sure felt the need to say some pretty mean things about it. It’s like I can close my eyes and feel the collective eye-rolling, the groaning about how Mommybloggers are SO narcissistic, that we are all just marching in a huge “you’re pretty, no, YOU’RE pretty” parade. Well, SO WHAT?

I’m going to give you a list now of the bloggers that I PERSONALLY have admired for years, whose blogs I subscribe to, for no other reason than because I want to spread some love their way. Ready?

Dooce
Amalah
Fussy
Finslippy
Suburban Bliss
Sweetney (and please read her post Mom Pimps ‘R Us because it is much more eloquent than this one)
Mom101
Mothergoosemouse
Motherhood Uncensored
IzzyMom
State of Grace
Jen and Tonic

Are those the only blogs I think are worthy of mentioning? Hell no! But if I listed every single blogger whose writing kicks major ass, this post would be two pages long :)

Now, I don’t expect you to run right over to Bloglines and change all your feed subscriptions. There are ONE HUNDRED MILLION blogs, and it is statistically impossible that everyone will like all the same blogs. Some of the bloggers on that list have never, EVER even visited my blog let alone left me a comment. But I don’t care about that, because I like THEM. THEY like other blogs. THOSE bloggers like a different bunch of blogs, and so on and so on.

If you read this blog with any regularity, I assume it’s because you like what I have to say. You know that sometimes I write personal posts, and sometimes I write reviews. I tell you about DVDs I’ve watched, I post photos of my kids. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I wouldn’t still be here almost three years later if NO ONE was reading. Yes, I have a separate product review blog, but the traffic on this blog is good enough that advertisers sometimes prefer this one. I’m careful to only choose products and websites that I think are a good fit. And that’s what the comments are for anyway! If I ever post something that you think is just completely bizarre, SAY SO. I can’t learn from my mistakes if no one points them out.

I started this blog because I wanted to share my experiences with other Moms. And I still do! Do I have a responsibility to protect Table for Five and what it stands for? Absolutely. Should I let every other blogger on the planet dictate what I can and can’t publish here? No freaking way. If I am going to declare myself to be a Mommyblogger, do I have a responsibility to that group to contribute to it in a positive way? Yes, I believe I do, but not at the expense of changing who I am.

So what’s my point in all of this? It’s to say that yes, I sometimes get free trips because I am a blogger. I get free stuff from companies who want my opinion and hope I will blog about their product and get some of you to click through and maybe buy that product too. Does that make me a “pimp” or a “whore”? Well, I certainly don’t think so, and I hope you don’t either. I have worked and continue to work very, very hard on my blogs, harder than most people probably realize, and if that means that I’m starting to get a little recognition and a few rewards for it, then I say, YAY ME.

If that makes me a whore, well then, pass me the hooker heels and get. in. LINE.