Profitable Mommy Blogging #18 (The Giveaway Part Two)

Voting has ended – our winner will be announced on Monday!

This week Carrie Lauth and April Jones ( Rock Star Blog Designs) are back with me to talk about who we chose to move through to Part Two of our big Mom Blog Giveaway.

Each of us chose our favorites from the list of 30+ moms who entered. We came up with nine great moms we’d love to see take over as new owner of Because Mom Said So.

Now it’s your turn to choose

We’ve listed our nine favorites together with their original entry comments.

Pick your favorite from our finalists and leave their name in the comment section below. Whoever receives the most votes will be the new owner of Because Mom Said So.

Edited to add Voting Deadline: Midnight, Friday May 8th.

The Finalists:

Erin Moore
I would love to have this blog because I have been successful at other work at home ventures, but since my husband recently received a pay cut at work and is possibly looking at further cuts, I would like to turn my talent and love for the written word into both a creative outlet and possible source of income for my family. I also want to reach out to other mothers since I know that the internet connections that I’ve made over the years have been invaluable.

I currently belong to several mommy forums that I know will be quite interested in this blog. I have a strong background in promoting parenting events and I currently speak at parenting conferences on various parenting topics. I promise to do right by your site!

Nichole Gabriel
I want that blog! I’ve had a burden on my heart for quit some tome for moms like me, trying to “keep up” and not knowing how! Not knowing HOW to keep the place clean, not knowing HOW to put the baby to sleep at night without screaming, not knowing HOW to cook healthy meals for a family EVERY day, not knowing HOW to keep a home that is minimalistic, beautiful and not cluttered, not knowing HOW to homeschool.. there’s SO much more!!! All this was really “Because MOM Said So”, right? Really, a lot of hubby’s and kids could care less if we are the perfect homemakers we set out to be!

But I know, from personal experience, that just because they don’t mind a cluttered, messy house, full of unhealthy foods and snacks – this doesn’t mean it’s of any less importance to mamma! I don’t have it yet! But I’m on my way.. I’m in constant search of ways to have a happy, healthy, minimalistic home – with balance. This blog would be an awesome way to put the information out there for other moms who are following the same struggle. It really is a struggle, a lot of moms hurt because of this. They have this deep desire to be there, to have the home they envision, but don’t know HOW.. because they were never taught. Our previous generation just didn’t teach such things, so now, unless this comes naturally to an individual, we have a generation of women who have these perfectly natural, womanly desires and don’t know how to fulfill this part of their life. Our previous generation made certain we all knew how to work outside of the home, get degrees, etc.. which is AWESOME!, but this is one area that somehow got misplaced.

In my search, I find very few sites devoted to this, a “well” balanced mom! One who is beautiful, inside and out (because she takes the time to take care of herself), one who has the education she desires, is as independent as she desires, who has the home of her dreams, and kids who she adores and has the ability and time to provide what she feels is the very best for them, and contentment in her relationships. One who not only has it together on the “outside” but can invite people home without fear!

I envision the site as a bright, enlightening, supportive place, where moms can come and learn, participate and journey toward who they want to be. Fun, uplifting, at times serious, with awesome, meaningful content.

Thanks So MUCH for the opportunity This is an incredibly generous thing you all are doing, (whether I am so lucky or not)! We KNOW you could have sold it, but to give away such an opportunity says so much about your desire to help other moms reach their dreams.

Mary Wilcox
I WANT THAT BLOG! Hi I’m the mother of 10, a Realtor, a stock trader with an extensive finance background, a cancer survivor, previously a single parent, currently a married parent. And if it’s been done I’ve either failed or succeeded at it and most of it with a smile on my face. I would love to share lifes experiences with moms around the country and put a smile on their faces when I can. Humor is an important part of life and motherhood. I think it can make or break you. So, as much as we don’t think it’s funny a lot of times…we have to laugh!

Elizabeth Neas
Oh, do I ever want to win this blog!!! As a mother of 10 children and 14 grandchildren, I think that I would qualifiy as a mompert – an expert in the field of momology. My children range in age from 17 to 36. The grandchildren are from 12 days to 15 years. I have boys. I have girls. Gifted kids, and those with special needs. And moms out there…believe when I say, “been there – done that”.

I been wanting to start a home based business for a number of years now. This seems like the perfect opportunity for me. If I’m chosen to win this blog, I hope to learn the ropes, and then expand into bringing more info for a broad range of needs. One item in particular, that’s been on my mind for some time, is finding information on multiple scholarships available for high school students.

I believe that I have a lot to offer…the best way to clean vomit off of carpet, what to do when your child thinks he has super powers – and dives off his bunkbed in an attempt to fly, what do you say to your daughter after she has been dumped by the man of her dreams! Need to know how to find help for an adult child with bipolar disease…I’m your girl. What an easy afternoon project when you’re babysitting for your next door neighbor…get out an egg carton, some glue, and those loose buttons in you’re top dresser drawer, and I’ll have you making caterpillars in a blink of an eye. From the serious to the sublime…I’ve got it covered.

Please consider me for this awesome opportunity, and I promise that I will do my very best to offer a wealth of information, a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, and some laughter to lighten the day…for moms and grandmothers…who are the back bones of our society. And darn it, let me have it…cause I’m the MOM and I said so!

Judie Brown
I WANT THAT BLOG!! I woke up this morning to an email from Blog Energizer and when I saw this contest my heart took off racing! What an awesome idea! The timing just seems to be so right.

I’m a mom of eight wonderful kids. I’ve been home schooling for 25 years. We have four left at home and two still in school. My passion is family. I have a lot to share, especially under the theme……..because mom said so! I have a heart for moms. It’s a tough job and they need all the support they can get.

I was able to stay home with my children because my husband was willing to work the overtime to give me that freedom. For that I’m thankful.

Now that the children are older and I have more time on my hands I have been thinking of starting a blog for mom’s but didn’t know where to begin! Then this opportunity presented itself and it seems perfect. I love the fact that you will help with training also. No need to ruin four years of hard work! =)

I do have a website (EatingToThrive.com) where I share on healthy eating. I can offer a host of tips on budgeting, grocery shopping, menu making, home schooling, organization, raising happy healthy children, etc., In other words, I won’t have any problems posting content! My problem was getting overwhelmed with starting a blog.

Thank you for this opportunity. It’s an incredible gift!

Cheryl Nelson
Hi Ladies, I found your AMAZING giveaway on MomGiveaways–another site I love! I decided that before I put a bid on a contest entry that I should first check out the site to be given away. This is what I found: It is a great site already, and I am sure that Carrie Lauth’s 80+ followers and other visitors will miss her sassy and upbeat personality. I read a few posts and thought–Wow, what a shame that she is giving up her site. I have a blog called funforkids (on the today.com platform) and it is a lot of work. I have been writing/maintaining it for about a year now and I am only just now starting to see some signs of ripening fruits from my labor. I can’t imagine giving it away to anyone—my life stories, my heart and my spirit are all in there.. I imagine Carrie must feel the same way too. =(

In any case, I would like to say: Please may I have this Mommy blog! I would love to be given a chance to continue in Carrie’s path. I am a self-taught blogger–I have been slowly learning the tricks of the trade and I feel that I have had tremendous growth since I began this journey a year ago. I would love the opportunity to have a blog that is re-designed and “pimped” by April Jones–LOL. This is a great opportunity for any woman–but moreso for a mom (which I am) who ABSOLUTELY LOVES writing and interacting with her audience. I already have a good following and I know that they would love to follow me in my next blogging adventure.

It would be great to have the expertise of the team that will be setting up the platform and the added help that you hinted about. If chosen I promise to be like Daniel LaRusso, the original karate kid, to your Mr Miagi—-I will wax on and wax off! Teach me oh Wise one to monetize my blog! I may be a bit green but hey Green is the new black anyway. You asked what I would like to add to the already established blog— I think I would like to add a segment called: Because Ms. Cheryl said so. Aside from being a mom of a 6 and 4 year old,

I am a pre-k teacher and I would love to tell little stories of the hysterical, adorable, and heartbreaking stories that go on in my classroom each day. I can’t begin to tell you how much material these little ones give me! So there you have it, the reasons why I would love to have Carrie’s blog and something I would like to see added. Oh, and one more thing–you should let me win this blog because: My mommy said so! God Bless and Best Wishes in finding the best MOM for the job. PS—I realize I have some great competition here, all of these ladies sound great and I wouldn’t mind losing to any of them.

Kim Litchford
I want that blog “Because I, ‘Mom’ Said So!” I’m a beginner blogger and currently have started a private blog just for friends while I learn all about blogging. I am a single-mother of 5 kids ages, 25, 19, 17, 15, and 8. I am also a grandmother to two grandsons ages 2 and 8mths.

One thing I can say for sure is that I personally have used this motto, “Because Mom Said So!” Everyday at least once or twice I say that very thing. I have much experience in telling the kids this because I just think that kids need to learn to listen and not question their mom about everything I say. Especially since I am a single mom.

If I won this blog I would use it as a mommy blogger to help other mothers to learn to say, “Because I, Mom, Said So!” We need to be able to say this without feeling guilty to our kids. They need to learn to respect you as a mom. And what you say does have value. Many times moms feel guilty about the things they say and they should not feel this way. I know, because I am in the process of overcoming the guilty feelings that flood my body when I have to tell my kids no. I am learning everyday to speak my mind and say what needs to be said to my kids.

I also would use this mommy blogging site as a platform to help moms learn to smile more and frown less. To try new things and get out and explore life around them in their own hometowns or by traveling to another city or state. The main thing is learning to live life fully and not feel that you have to be tied down to the housework and responsibilities of running a house and being a mom. Children need to learn that moms are people to and have hopes and dreams just like them. It doesn’t all of a sudden stop at the birth of a child. And if I won this mommy blog I would be teaching my children that yes, dreams can come true. My dream is to become a successful mommy blogger.

Stacie Haight Connerty
I would love to take over this blog. As the mother of three, I always have something to say. I have been blogging for years for other people and just started my own review blog. I include bits and pieces about my family but would love a platform about just family.

I would take this blog and compile some of the best advice from mom’s across the Internet and ask for guest posters. I think that this would be a great way for other bloggers to contribute advice about what works for them as mother’s and what doesn’t work.

What I love about the blog is that this is the exact phrase that I am always using with my four and six year old. They are constantly asking ‘Why?’ “Why do we have to clean our rooms? Why do we have to brush our teeth?” My answer is always the same, “Because Mom Said So.”

I love that the blog has the same name. We were meant for each other!

Jennifer Fleck
I want that Blog! I’ve been a writer, educator, web designer, hybrid scrapper, expat, VP of a local Moms Club and now Mom to two great boys. I would like to add professional blogger to the list. I feel that all my life experiences have lead me directly to your blog giveaway. I have had and continue to have unique experiences in life that would help continue to make this blog successful.

I have moved around the United States and abroad, so I have unlimited resources of information on toting your tots all over the world. From what to pack, what to do when you have a delayed flight or a flat, where to find kid-friendly places and how to deal with cultural snags like when there is a sign on the door for dogs, but no strollers.

I lost my parents as I was becoming a mother and this in itself has lead me to reflect and reevaluate my “mommy-hood” ever since. How do we balance a sense of self while selflessly giving to your family?

Moms in this era are different. We do not, for the most part, have the traditional mothering circle to help us on this trek through motherhood. We don’t always live in our hometowns. Many of us live in transient towns where people relocate frequently. Our mothers, sisters and aunts who would have lived down the street or across town are now across country or continents. We have had to create our own communities of newly found friends and neighbors, be it in our new towns or online at blogs and message boards.

On the internet, you can see what a mom does to calm a colicky baby, how to find a great sitter, vent and laugh about the flu that had us all shooting in both buckets. You can see what new events are in your area so that you and your kids can get out of the house – cheaply. You can see the reviews on the newest baby sling, how to care for a toddler when your newborn is sick or to just be encouraged.

I would like to add a section for gadgets and apps (applications) that can be helpful for moms. Many moms out there are working at home, getting into digital photography, paying bills online, tracking their household expenses with software and getting smart phones like the iphone or blackberry to keep up with scheduled activities. I’d like to add reviews and links to the hottest trends right now in a simple, ‘moms can use this too’ way.

I’d like parents to come to this blog knowing that they can find anything they are searching for. We are all on this motherhood journey together and I would like the blog to portait that. I think my diverse background will allow the blog to reach the widest audience possible.

This blog will be the place where you can be as comfortable as you would be with your own family. The blog would form a sense of community and loyalty.

So grab a lemonade and sit on the porch with us. Hear a real mom story you can relate to, get a review of a product from a mom who’s been there, and get ideas on how to make your lives easier and make the relationship with your family that much richer,? because Mom said so.