Today I turn 38. I had to do math to make sure I had my age right. Have you ever noticed we remember the big dates and decades, but we don’t remember the specific years.
Or maybe that’s just me.
As I was thinking back on this past decade I was realizing how much this blog has been a part of my life, and how much this online community has been a part of my life, and thought now would be a good time to talk about my blog title.
Rewind almost 10 years ago
I was a mom of three preschoolers and I had three kids in diapers. It felt like the boys were never going to be potty-trained. I had friends with kids the same age posting all sorts of amazing stories of what their kids were doing, and it felt like I would never stop changing diapers.
Meanwhile, I was starting to think more about homeschooling. I was pretty sure we were going to, and I did what I usually do when I’m interested in something I research everything thing I can on it. While doing that I stumbled onto the Homeschool Lounge and signed up there. Which led me to 1+1+1=1 and Homeschool Creations.
I saw their linkies, and all of the amazing posts other Moms were sharing, and I thought, “I can totally do this. We do cool stuff ALL the time!”
But what to call my blog?
I opened up blogger, because way back then everyone was on blogger, and I sat there staring. What should I call this new baby? I mean Jeff and I had long hours of debate on what to call our kids. Back when I was pregnant with Princess I pushed hard to call the unknown child John Michael if it was a boy, because the two brothers in Peter Pan were called that and I found the name hilarious. Robin was also vetoed for a boy, despite my pointing out Robin Hood and Robin Goodfellow.
I thought, “Well, I’m writing about our adventures, so Adventures….”
And then I trailed off, what else was it going to be about?
I know! Being a mom! And how that can feel hard at times, and isolating, and my adventures as a Mom!
Adventures in Mommydom!
Brilliant!
And it was at the time.
But, now my blog has much more evolved into what we’re learning about and our homeschool adventures. Every now and then I toy with the idea of changing my blog name, but I don’t know what I would change it to? There’s already an Adventures in Homeschooling blog, and this feels like more than homeschooling to me.
Fast forward a few years and I had saved up money to get a blog design, because I was scared to death to fix stuff, and I wasn’t particularly good at design. I’m still not great, I tend to default to drawing stuff by hand.
And Jolanthe from Homeschool Creations would do designs, and I was totally on board with that. She emailed me one day saying, “OK, what’s your tagline?”
I said, “What’s that?”
“You know, the quick description of what you’re blog’s about.”
“Oh that, yeah I have no idea. Maybe learning adventures at the speed of fun?”
Of all the offhand quick answers I’ve given to a a question, I think this one has turned out to be the most true.
How did you name your blog? I always find blog names a fascinating subject
I really enjoyed this post! And I soooo know what you mean about having three in nappies. I always call those my conveyor belt parenting days. (I just know you will know what I mean 🙂 )
You may have inspired me to write a similar post on angelicscalliwags!
I’d love to read it! Yes conveyor belt is a great description of what it’s like.
I sure hope you never change your blog name. I love this one and I definitely love your tagline. You are one of the few blogs that I actually read anymore. Being a mom and homeschooling is an adventure!! 🙂
IF I change, it won’t be anytime soon, like after my kids graduate high school 🙂 And it sure is an adventure!
Cool story! As you know, I changed my name several time before settling on the one I have now 🙂 And happy birthday!
Thank you! I think Planet Smarty Pants quite suits your blog.
Happy birthday! I started off as Thrifty Craft Mama. Then I decided I wanted something that was easier to remember and that allowed me to write about a wider range of subjects while focusing on the fact that being a mom can be a very positive thing! I’ve been Mama Smiles ever since.
I totally forgot you started out as someone else. Mama Smiles really suits you.
Love this! I’m pretty impressed you can remember why you chose the name you did. I have vague memories of beginning – but it seems like a long time ago :). Happy belated birthday!
It took me some work to remember why I did, but it was a fun walk down memory lane.
Thank you! It was a great birthday.