I'm a big fan of Paying it Forward when it comes to blogging. There are two reasons why. First, karma. Giving an unexpected boost to a fellow blogger gives me a friend in the blogosphere for life. Someone I obviously admire since I follow their blog and think enough of it to share it with my followers. (It also gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.)Second, a blogger with a huge following did it to me, giving me tons of new followers. So this is the least I can do. I do a Pay It Forward series on my blog every Friday. I started it a couple of months ago. And the response has been extremely positive, both from my readers and the bloggers I share. You can check out my Pay It Forward page here.
But a funny thing happened on my way to the assignment that is so eerily similar to my Pay It Forward series. Three of my favorite bloggers are also my Blogger Idol competitors. That's right. I've pimped out Daddy's In Charge, From the Bungalow, and Dad v. Autism in one form or another. Even though I am up against them, it wouldn't be completely honest of me if I didn't at least mention them. I'm like a crazy good karma addict.
Now, I present six more talented bloggers that will entertain or inspire you:
The Daddy Yo Dude: If there is anyone out there who is MY Blogger Idol, it's this guy. And I'm not just saying that because he's a judge in this competition. Well, maybe a little. John is one of the first daddy bloggers I really connected with when I joined the Twitterverse a few months ago. I immediately liked his blog, his honest and poignant writing style. The love for his family pours from his words. And you can feel his struggles as a working dad. I also told him during a recent phone conversation that I really liked the layout of his blog too. And that if/when I change my layout, I would want to do something similar. He then took that compliment and proceeded to dramatically and almost immediately change his layout. Regardless, I also like John's blog so much because it is the one that most reminds me of mine (r
emember, I'm a raging narcissist). This is my favorite post of his.
Dad or Alive: There are so many things I love about Adrian's blog. First, the title. When I first saw his title I kicked myself for not thinking of it first. And that is literally just the tip of the iceberg. He takes ordinary, every day stories about being a SAHD, and makes them extraordinary. He is hilarious and creative at the same time. In fact, he's the second funniest daddy blogger I've read (wink wink). He doesn't post frequently, which I also dig about him, because I assume he does that for two reasons. First, he's a kicka$$ dad who's concentrating on his family (his wife just had their second). I don't know that for a fact, so I can only assume. Second, he wants to make sure everything he publishes is pure gold. Well, that I do know for a fact. Because everything he publishes is pure gold. The guy is good. I get excited when a new post of his arrives in my inbox. It doesn't stay unread for long. This one about his mess of a diaper bag is my favorite.
Food Good, Laundry Bad: And now for something completely different. Evin is a foodie. But her blog is much more than recipes. She spins tales about her life as a SAHM while she's talking about the food. So to me she's a mommy blogger with a twist. A delicious and often hilarious twist. I am the cook in our house, but I'm not a recipe guy. I freestyle. I cook with love and from memory. So does Evin, but she mostly follows and shares recipes. I love this blog. Just last week I shared it with my followers. It was my most successful Pay It Forward yet. The post I shared has one of those hilarious twists that epitomize her blog and why I enjoy it so much: Click here to read it.
The Perpetual Shave: Matthew is another daddy blogger who, like Adrian, is a SAHD who appears to put the daddy before the blogger. He is also an infrequent poster. His posts are also worth the wait. I learned about his blog because I was on his blogroll, and noticed I was getting hits from it. So this is a sort of pay it back. But I wouldn't share his blog if I didn't read it and enjoy it myself. Good, descriptive writing. And I love the title, and the meaning behind it too (you have to check out his about page to find out - click click below). He's deep, and critical of himself... which I like. He doesn't pretend to have all the answers. I enjoy his raw and honest take on parenting. This post is my favorite.
Adventures of a Single Lesbian Mother: Kell and I couldn't be any more different since I am neither single, a lesbian, or a mother. In fact, I am the opposite of all three. That doesn't mean I don't think her blog kicks a$$. It's raw, honest, funny, and insightful. I chat with Kell often online. She is just a genuine person and an amazing mom. I am rooting for her. And just when you get think you've had enough with all of those goodies I mentioned, she sprinkles a little inspiration on top. She's new, good, and quickly climbing the charts. This post really hit home for me.
Sex, Lies and Bacon: One more, to even out the male-female ratio. This is Mely. She is a single mom and she is awesome. Her blog is my guilty pleasure. I'm a little nervous admitting that I read it because it is at times almost as raunchy as Penthouse Forum. Everyone I have told to read this blog loves it and now follows it. Do NOT read it at work. Trust me. But just when I thought her blog was all raunch, she slapped me across the face with this one, showing her vulnerable and sensitive side. (This one you can read at work...maybe.) And now I'm totally hooked.
So there you have it. Six blogs that are sure to dazzle you. Six bloggers that have dazzled me. And we all like to be bedazzled. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.
Judges Comments:
"I love what you wrote about your favorite bloggers and how you added your favorite posts from them.
I think its great that you pay it forward every week. thank you for sharing these amazing bloggers. "
Erica, from Good Job Momma
"A good post. Good job finding relevant blogs to recommend. Doesn't hurt to mention the judges either :D "
Allison Duncan, from SVALLIE.NET: The Nerd Connection
"Well thank you sir. Yeah, I changed the layout because you liked it hahaha. Nah, I changed it because I am ADD and can't commit to anything for more than 30 seconds.
Aside from gloating about making the top of the list, I enjoy reading why you like these other blogs. I have read them all and it is great to see why other people like the blogs and how their views of them differ from mine.
And I have loved the Pay it Forward you do on your blog, and not just because I made it their twice. It is a concept I have not followed through on enough on my own blog, and an aspect of your blog I admire, respect, and wish to emulate more. "
The Dude, from The Daddyyo Blog