What does it mean to be a Mommyblogger? When I started blogging in 2005, I was writing about being pregnant with my third child, and my two boys, and my life in general.  I found a small group of other Mom blogs that I really liked, I commented on their posts, they commented on my posts. They were my COMMUNITY.

And then on February 25, 2006, I decided to write about how much I loved Swiffer Sweepers in this post titled I Love Swiffer, Yes I Do. Why? Because cleaning my house was part of my life, and it seemed like a good topic for a post.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think that anyone representing Swiffer would read my post. Except, that’s exactly what happened.

A P.R. person representing Swiffer read my post and emailed me, saying that he liked my post, and he was getting the word out about a new redesigned Swiffer sweeper, and would I like to get one? And if I felt like it, would I write my opinion of it on my blog?  I was dumbstruck!  But I said sure, why not, and I got the swiffer, used it, took some pictures of it, and wrote a post about it.

That was the beginning of my “career” as a product reviewer.  Since then, I’ve developed relationships, yes actual relationships, with P.R. firms all across America.  These are real people whose jobs are to market products, who decided they liked the way I wrote and the way I expressed my opinions. We’ve talked on the phone, arranged to meet in person, sent each other Christmas cards. They know the names of my kids, I know the names of theirs.

So, let me ask you a question. And by “you”, I mean, those of you who come here and read this blog because you like the way I write. Those of you who are part of the TABLE FOR FIVE COMMUNITY.  Do you have a problem with me calling myself a Mommyblogger?  Is the fact that I review DVDs and other products and run occasional giveaways a problem for you? Do you ever feel like I am “tricking” you into reading a post?

This blog is going to change, evolve, and grow. As opportunities arise, I am going to take them if they seem like a good fit for this blog. When I get a product to review, I am never going to pretend that I bought the product myself. If I ever forget to tell you who exactly sent me the product, please ask me in the comments. If I write about going to a marketing event, and you want to know exactly what items I received from the company, ask me.

I have nothing to hide.

And also? I AM STILL A MOM. I do not think that I have to turn in my Mommyblogger card because I choose, on MY BLOG, that I PAY FOR, to write about products and run giveaways.  I am not SHILLING PRODUCTS. I am writing about MY LIFE.  And right now? My life is about helping companies market their products that appeal to Moms and kids.

But it’s also about potty training my daughter and watching my 12 year old son grow into a young man, and feeling my heart swell with pride when my 10 year old brings home a test with an A+ on it after all the struggles he’s had in school, and dealing with the stress my husband is under at work, and everything else that happens to me on a daily basis.

This is MY MOMMYBLOG. This is what it means, TO ME, to  be a Mom who blogs. And those of you who are regular readers, REAL readers, THANK YOU. Thank you SO MUCH for taking a few minutes out of your day to come here. If I had no advertisers and no products and no giveaways and no trips, I would still be here and I hope you would still come here too.