Mommy The Journalist: 2018

I can't believe Christmas is a little more than two weeks away. Our first family get together is next weekend! Have you finished your shopping yet? I've barely even started. Last-minute shopping is kind of my thing, although I'd prefer to describe it as leisurely shopping and savoring the season. While I fill up my online shopping carts with gift ideas, check out what you've missed on Instagram the past couple of weeks.

This shirt is more pink than it appears in the picture. It's relaxed peplum hem is very forgiving and the back has the cutest buttons. I'm wearing a small. My jeans are from back before The Limited took a hiatus but this pair is similar and on sale. Wearing the boots in a size 7 regular. I have a narrow foot and these are almost too narrow for me, so you might want to go up a half size.

I got this lightweight quilted vest during Black Friday sales. It's thinner than the frost free vests, and most importantly for me the collar is smaller. I'm wearing a small. My shirt is from a few years ago but this one is similar. These Aeropostale jeans are supposed to be skinny but for me they fit more like straight-leg jeans. Maybe they'll shrink up some when I wash them. Wearing size 8. I've had these ankle boots for several years, but these are similar.

Sweater (old) - similar | Shirt (old) - similar | Jeans (old) - exact | Boots (old) - similar

I am in love with this ruffle sleeve top. It's on sale for under $20 and comes in several other colors including an adorable green polka dot print. I'm wearing size medium. My utility vest is sold out in green but still available in pink. These are my favorite pair of jeans, and they're on sale for less than $20 right now. Boots are linked above.

Shirt (old) - similar | Vest - exact | Jeans (old) - similar | Boots - exact

Posts You May Have Missed:
20 Gift Ideas for Working Moms
32 Things I'm Thankful for This Year (Birthday Post)
15 Gifts Under $10 for Preschool Girls
Ashton's 25 Days of Holiday Movies
5 Tips for Writing a Monthly Column

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Every month I write a column that's printed inside the first few pages of Wiregrass Parents. So far, I've written four and am currently working on the fifth. It's been almost 20 years since the last time I wrote a monthly column that didn't have an assigned topic for my high school newspaper, The Paw Print, so it'd be safe to assume I was out of practice. The first month wasn't too difficult as it was more of an introduction to the magazine and myself, but man did I struggle that second month. I thought I'd hit my stride in November, but I hit a wall writing December's column. Writing is like that: some days the words flow easily, other days not so much, but there are some simple steps you can follow to make the process a little smoother.

1. When in doubt, write what you know. For my columns, I like to reference our feature articles, but sometimes because I only have one child who's under age 5, they're not exactly relatable to any of my experiences. So instead of trying to write around those specific topics as they relate to my parenting experience, I share a childhood memory that ties into the topic.

2. Draw on your own experiences. People don't like to read impersonal columns. Whether it's sharing a parenting story, childhood experience, or something that's just about me, using those personal anecdotes helps bring the entire article together.

3. Read similar columns/articles. I seriously do this every month. I read my sister publishers' monthly columns, as well as editorials from major publications and even blogs. Reading other writers' work helps inspire me.

4. Write in a circle. The first and last paragraphs have always been the hardest things for me to write. I've been known to write the middle part of a piece before the beginning. Sometimes, I write the end first. But no matter where I start, one thing that helps me is writing in a circle, or beginning and ending on the same topic. It helps bring a sense of resolution.

5. Use a call to action. Challenge your readers to do something. After Hurricane Michael hit our area, I shared how my family was helping those affected and encouraged my readers to do what they could to help as well. You do have to be careful with this one as certain topics can make it appear as if you're biased for or against something.

I hope these tips help anyone who writes regular columns, articles, or even blog posts. If you've got other tips that have helped you, please share!

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This was the first election day in nine years I didn't cover. Instead, I spent the day working in my home office on the December issue of Wiregrass Parents. When I first made the switch from traditional news to this niche of journalism, I seriously considered rebranding this blog and removing the word journalist from all of my public bios. In the end I decided to keep the moniker I worked so hard to earn, but it did get me to thinking about the importance of different types of journalism.

One of the things I've learned over the years is that everyone's interpretation of news differs depending on where they live, what's happening at the moment, and their own interests. There are very few people out there who care about all news, myself included. I rarely watch the news on television, and I certainly don't read every article in a newspaper or magazine. Instead, I filter my news and only read or watch what I'm interested in learning more about, things like parenting trends, pediatrician recommendations, what's happening in our local school system, the sports teams I follow, and my guilty pleasure - entertainment news. I suspect many of you consume news in the same way.

When I first decided I wanted to be a journalist, I wanted to work for a newspaper, but I didn't want to be a reporter. I wanted to be an editor; specifically I wanted to be the layout editor. When I went to college, I focused on features and more in-depth stories, and decided I wanted to work for a magazine. When I graduated, I applied for jobs in specific niches including layout, sports, and lifestyles. None of that worked out obviously, and I ended up working for a television news station doing traditional news for nine years. Now, I'm back to what I originally wanted to do with my journalism career.

Just because I'm no longer writing stories about daily news doesn't make me any less of a journalist. Being a journalist is about presenting relevant information to a specific audience. In my case, instead of using my skills to deliver daily news to a broad audience that could include literally anyone, I'm hyper-focused on parenting news. It's no different than ESPN only doing sports or Forbes only reporting business news. By zeroing in on a specific audience, we don't have to worry about alienating a dozen people who don't care about parenting issues. And for the most part, those journalists who work in a specific niche have qualifications beyond the basic skill set and are actually interested in what they're covering.

So, yes, I still consider myself a journalist. I still research topics, fact-check, gather information, and compile it in a way that makes sense to my readers. I don't report on crime or sports or politics, but I am providing a much-needed resource for parents in the Wiregrass. The focus of my calling may have shifted, but the results are the same and just as rewarding, maybe even more so.