It’s no secret that mommy blogs are popular.
Recent estimates put the number of parenting-focused blogs at somewhere around
3.9 million.
But aside from offering advice on everything from teething to where to find the cheapest diapers, these moms are also gaining something else.
A recent Penn State study found that blogging might actually relieve some of the stress associated with being a new parent.
The researchers saw a significant correlation between a strong connection to family and friends and increased feelings of social support, which in turn led to higher marital satisfaction, less marital conflict and less parenting stress. The mothers who experienced fewer feelings of parenting stress also had fewer feelings of depression.
“It looks like blogging might be helping these women as they transition into motherhood because they may begin to feel more connected to their extended family and friends, which leads them to feel more supported,” said Brandon T. McDaniel, a graduate student in human development and family studies at PSU, who worked on the study with colleagues from Brigham Young University.
Most of the mothers surveyed said they blogged to either stay in touch with family and friends or to share their experiences with others, which McDaniel said was particularly beneficial for stay-at-home mothers.
The study also found that social networking did not always have the same positive impacts on moms.
Moms, do you blog? Do you agree with the study’s findings? What mommy blogs do you like to read?
