Dear Diary,

Like most bloggers, I spend most of my time not only writing but reading. I’m always on the lookout for top African American mommy blogs to follow. I’m inspired by their stories and encouraged to share more of my own. No matter how they became mothers–through conception, adoption or in vitro fertilization, they all have one thing in common–a love for writing about their children. They give advice, share secrets and let us behind the closed doors of their lives–all hoping their words will help other moms on the same journey.

Here’s DFTM’s favorite mamas making a mark in the world wide web.

Cleverly Changing

Perfect parenting doesn’t exist, but informed and attentive parenting does. That sentence hooked me on Cleverly Changing, a mommy blog that covers a wide range of issues. Under the parenting tab, readers can explore articles on breastfeeding, potty training and going green–something I’m attempting to do.  Right now, I’m more like an aqua.  This mom is sure to inspire and empower you before you log off.

Mommy Factor

I always thought it would cool to raise my daughter as a Brooklyn baby, exposed to art, culture, music and an endless list of fun and learning activities. Mommy Factor gives me a peak into parenting a  little one in the big apple.  Onica provides tons of celeb interviews, product reviews, fashion features and tech reports.

Mommy to the Monsters

This mom is far from scary. In fact, her story is sweet.  As a single, Christian woman in her thirties, she decided to adopt two adorable little boys and raise little monsters–with manners I’m sure! She also fostered four other little ones. She blogs about parenting and homeschooling, and she provides a wealth of resources to readers, so they w ill have no fear.

Moms ‘N Charge

Stay-at-home, or shall I say, work-at-home mom Christine St. Vil empowers mothers to take charge of their futures. She encourages women to step out on faith and step into their true purpose in life. She has endless tips on her to feel good without feeling guilty and how to pursue your personal passions as a parent. The former HR exec also teaches mommies ways to balance careers and children.

My Brown Baby

My Brown Baby is one of my favorite mommy blogs. I came across the site while pregnant. I was a big fan of Denene Millner, who coauthored almost every Black book on popular reading lists, so I was excited to see her delivery news to moms of color. Her shoot from the hip, straight forward commentaries make mommies think about what it means to raise children of color and what we can do to make our voices heard in America.

Smart & Sassy Mom

Sheree, a work-at-home mom of three, spends her day blogging about motherhood, marriage and meals. She provides easy to make, mouthwatering recipes to readers and smart and sassy advice on parenting. Sheree also shares her stories on being a stepmom and how to create loving and supportive blended families.

Soca Mom

After spending seven years working in Grand Cayman, I became an honorary West Indian. Now that I’m back home in Pennsylvania, I always wonder what it would be like to raise my daughter in the Caribbean. Then I log onto to Soca Mom, and the Trinidadian editor Eva projects island living into my living room. My daughter dances to the soca songs as I cook curry in the kitchen.

Sophistishe

It was love at first sight when I logged onto Sophistishe (pronounced suh-fis-ti-shee). Before I read one article, I was gaga over the family behind the blog. Sheena Tatum met her husband and father of her two   gorgeous little boys when they were in middle school.  Sheena shares their stories and lots of pictures on her inspirational and emotional journey through motherhood. I log on faithfully to read her DIY articles.  I’m not big on do-it-youself projects, but her posts are simple and sophisticated, or shall I say sophistishe!

The Mom with Moxie

Like the Cayman Islands, I’ve also adopted Michigan as my second stomping ground. So when I came across one Michigan mom’s blog, I felt right at home. Bree blogs about her kids, her marriage and her job. What impressed me is her honesty. She reveals that she has dealt with every type of issue you can imagine–health, money, weight, job, and in her words, made her mess her message.

The Mommy Talk Show

As a former talk show host, I had to tune into The Mommy Talk Show. Emmy award-winning journalist Joyce Brewer gives mommies the 411 on the latest trends in parenting, products and family fun activities. Although the show is based in Atlanta, moms nationwide are informed and engaged with the content.
And my bonus blogger pick…

So Family Online

Monica J, an auntie, teacher and fashionista, pens lifestyle news on her site So Family Online. I fell head over heels for her family fashion section, where she gives readers a behind-the-scenes look into Kids Fashion Week and invites moms to submit their family’s street style photos. She isn’t exactly a mommy blogger, but I wanted to include her on the list!

Hey DFTM Fam–What brown mommy blogger should I add to my self-proclaimed coveted list?

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

15 Responses

  1. Monica J

    I am so honored to be the bonus mommy blogger, although not a mommy yet. I am definitely on my journey to mommyhood and can’t wait to get there. These are amazing mommy bloggers, so i am thrilled to be on a list with them. I thank you again Heather.

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      good luck in your quest to become a mommy. your son/daughter will be blessed to have you I’m sure!

      Reply
  2. Sheree

    Thanks! I feel so honored to be a part of such an esteemed group of wonderful bloggers!!! Thanks sooo much!

    Reply
  3. Christine

    I just realized my comment hadn’t gone through! But THANK YOU so much Heather for such a great honor! These are some fab moms so I’m truly excited to be in such great company 🙂

    Reply
    • newmom0608

      I will add it to part 2! Love taking a trip to “Chaton’s World!” Think I might stop by there today.

      Reply
  6. Cheryl Pope

    I would love it if you visited princesszaria.blogspot.com This is a mommy-daughter blog. By the way, I love your list of mommy blogs. My favorite is My Brown Baby

    Reply
    • firsttimemom

      Awww, I haven’t met her in person yet, but she’s pretty amazing online!

      Reply
  8. Vaneese

    This is a great list and I will definitely be checking out these blogs. I’m always looking for new blogs to follow and I hold a special place in my heart for African-American Mommy bloggers. They’re just not enough of us!! I also would like to nominate my blog, Mommy Works A Lot, as an African American Mommy blog to watch. Yes, that is a shameless plug. 🙂

    Reply
  9. Grace

    Thanks for the list! As a fellow African American mommy blogger I am always on the lookout for other blogs to follow as well. I hope you can stop by sometime!

    Reply

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