Friday Featured Blog: The Mommy-Files

Shanon of The Mommy-Files is someone I've recently "met" via our blogs. The Mommy-Files has lots of product reviews/giveaways and even a Featured Blogger Friday, and of course she blogs about parenting too, but you could have guessed that with a name like The Mommy-Files. Shannon is a mom to 3 boys, and I absolutely love her post about blaming her son for a foul smell in a grocery store (you'll have to read it for the details). Welcome Shannon!
What is your blog about?
I talk about "mommyhood," "parenthood," recipes, fun memes, and host a variety of giveaways. I love to talk about the funny moments I experience as a mom, as well as the frustrating and overwhelming moments. Before I had a blog, I felt like I had to act like life was perfect - that I didn't have any struggles as a mom. However, I have found many other moms online that voice exactly what I go through as a mom (not that there are struggles all the time, but it's nice to know there are other moms who have felt like they fail as a mom or whose kids have thrown up all over them). I love to blog and consider it my journal, as well as my chance to try out products I might not otherwise have the opportunity to try.

Where does your blog title come from?
I went through a lot of different titles when I first started blogging (about a year). Then I sat down with my husband one night and we started brainstorming titles. I knew I wanted a name with Mom or Mommy in the title. We must have just watched X-Files or been talking about it, because I thought The Mommy-Files sounded like a cool title and that was the beginning of The Mommy-Files.

When and why did you start your blog?
I started my blog in July of 2008 (didn't start doing reviews until January 2009). I used my blog as a place to vent and post funny jokes and recipes. I knew other people who had blogs and so we kept in contact via our blogs. I have a family blog (which is private), but wanted to have my own blog, with my own design and my own material. Thus, The Mommy-Files was born! :)

What would you like to add to your blog in the next year?
I would like to have Travel Reviews on my blog (of various places I have visited). I will have Washington reviews coming up this summer and California reviews at the beginning of next year. I'd love to have other places I have the opportunity to visit as well!

What are some of your favorite blogs?
I love Mommy Goggles (Tanya is super sweet) and Trying to Stay Calm (Shauna is also a great bloggy friend). I love Rockin Mama (Caryn is awesome) and 3 Kids and Us (Cat is sweet and also shows the real side of mommyhood).

What is one of your pet peeves about blogs or bloggers?
I have a hard time when there is a lot of swearing on the blog. Or when I watch a VLOG and every other word is a swear word. When I look at Mommy Blogs, it's usually during the day when my kids are at home and it's frustrating to have to lunge towards the volume to turn it down so my kids don't hear the words.

What advice would you have for any new bloggers?
Don't be afraid to ask questions. I asked other bloggers how to do certain things and had lots of help. Granted there were those bloggers who didn't even bother to respond to my email but there were certain ones who helped me and who I developed a bloggy relationship with.

What is something that people might not know about you?
Geesh...I'm not sure. I always have a stash of chocolate on hand. Sometimes I have multiple stashes and forget where I put them. I will also be celebrating my 10 year anniversary this November! Yeah! I'm so excited and hoping we can do something fun!

Thanks Shannon! Enjoy the weekend everyone...