Why I am so self-absorbed

My new favorite blog, Half Changed World, points out a recent New York Times article on blogging parents. I didn't realize that boring you all with my self-involved drivel was so...trendy. But, really, the value to me in reading the parent blogs of friends and strangers is to find that sense of community (you know, the whole "it takes a village" thing) that is difficult to come upon these days. There has been a ton written about how today it is becoming much less common for people to remain in their hometown or village from womb to tomb, and thus don't have the accumulated family knowledge to help them through difficult transitions (marriage, parenthood, etc.). Parent blogs allow us to form a community of peers - to share experiences, give and receive advice - that is difficult to do in our neighborhoods, with transient neighbors and busy lives. The blogging universe allows a place for parents to vent about the difficulties of being in charge of a living, unpredictable human being, but also to learn that you are not the first person experiencing the new and scary thoughts and feelings. And, sometimes, parents really need to laugh.