Not a working parent but I really liked this blog:

https://okayestmomblog.com/

I am a stay-at-home mom of three little ones. I have a lot to say and not a lot of adults to listen. I am here to shout from the rooftop about what it’s really like to survive infertility, adoption, racism, IVF, twins, almost dying, and living each day with 3 boys in diapers. Our transracial family is now complete, but that is not the end of my story.

I don’t care if you read this or not. I am writing because I have a bad memory. This is for my kids.

My name is Melissa and I live in Virginia. I am a “retired” kindergarten teacher. I am madly in love with my high school sweetheart (ok, ok, my college sweetheart). We have been married since 2002. Our oldest son (“R”) joined our family due to the marvel of adoption in 2010. Our twins (“E” & “G”) joined our family due to the marvel of modern science in 2012.

I say I am the “World’s Okayest Mom” both because I am not aspiring to be the greatest at anything, and also because I really am doing okay.

Sometimes people just don’t tell it like it really is. Sometimes this whole thing sucks. I am here to say that what I do is really really hard. And I love it – even if my irreverent attitude says otherwise. I prepared my whole life to get to this point, and now that I’m here, I am so proud. And so tired.

Not a mommy blog at all, but I’ve gotten way into Emily D Baker on YouTube, I think because her videos (main topic is legal commentary on pop culture figures) have constant references to her kids (tweens now) and she tells stories about working when they are younger and responds to chats from pregnant/parent of young kid fans and things like that. I dunno it makes me feel seen in a way I can’t explain even though we don’t really have much in common so I’m putting it out there even though it’s not really what you were asking for.

I think big little feelings are the most “real” of most I’ve seen, but a lot of their content is on parenting so not what you’re looking for. But in between they share about their parenting and they have NOT had it easy and are very, very honest and not in an annoying way. For example one of them just had her second (first is 14 months old so very close in age) and she recently posted a story basically saying I’m miserable, hating breastfeeding, everything pretty much sucks. The other just went through fertility issues and a miscarriage, lots of honesty about it. She had very severe PPA with her kids to the point where she didn’t let anyone besides her husband watch them for like two years.. serious.

I also love cup of jo. It’s not just a mom blog, but reading the comments on that site will give you so much. It’s really a surprisingly lovely place (said no one about any comment section ever except cup of jo)

Anonymous wrote:Lag Liv (lawyer, just went back to firm after 10 years as a fed) but note that she had a rather harrowing time when her first child was a baby

The Shu Box (doctor) a little more planning/fitness oriented than I'm interested in

Both have 3 kids and demanding jobs--interesting to see how they've made it work.

I really enjoy theshubox. My favorite mom blog.

Lag Liv (lawyer, just went back to firm after 10 years as a fed) but note that she had a rather harrowing time when her first child was a baby

The Shu Box (doctor) a little more planning/fitness oriented than I'm interested in

Both have 3 kids and demanding jobs--interesting to see how they've made it work.

Anonymous wrote:They’re old but I like Vicki Iovine’s books (The Girlfriend’s Guide...). I read one of them over and over when my kids were little. I also recommend Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, which isn’t specifically about parenting but was a godsend to me when my kids were little and I was working and felt like every week was a struggle. It helped me figure out how to do little things to make life feel more joyous.

I sometimes read the blog The Shubox. Sarah is a physician with three kids.

I know I mostly recommended books, not blogs, but I think books are better. Social media can be toxic when you are struggling.

themeanestmom.blogspot.com

Very old (last posted in 2012!) but the writing is fantastically witty (she has a PhD in English from Duke), she had a singleton and then twins 8 months later, and a baby with medical problems. She writes about her motherhood experiences in episodic form. I go back and read them whenever I need a laugh and to realize we all struggle.

People lie on the internet. They don’t fully share their struggles. They make themselves look good.

Better to make real life friends with other moms. Join a church or synagogue, start a book club, start a neighborhood walk club, volunteer to help at your kid’s school.

They’re old but I like Vicki Iovine’s books (The Girlfriend’s Guide...). I read one of them over and over when my kids were little. I also recommend Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project, which isn’t specifically about parenting but was a godsend to me when my kids were little and I was working and felt like every week was a struggle. It helped me figure out how to do little things to make life feel more joyous.

I sometimes read the blog The Shubox. Sarah is a physician with three kids.

Anonymous wrote:You might like TheBirdsPapaya on Instagram, OP. She has that vibe, although her slant is on body neutrality/body acceptance. But, she's also a mom of four (including a one year old) and she mentions mom stuff.

I agree that blogs are less common than they used to be, but TikTok sounds like a bridge too far. IG is probably the better platform.

Yes I like The Birds Papaya and I like Feeding LIttles too - sometimes she starts talking about mom life in general and it never annoys me just lifts me up. Also like Cup of Joe.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cup of Jo.

https://cupofjo.com/2012/02/motherhood-mondays-the-hardest-two-months-of-my-life/

This is a small part of her blog, but the rest of it is awesome too. Check out her sister's podcast as well, called "Gravity" with Lucy Kalanithi.

They talk about mental health in one episode: https://cupofjo.com/2021/06/lucy-joanna-podcast-depression/

And the motherhood section: https://cupofjo.com/category/motherhood/

Sorry - should have consolidated this all in one post, but was just browsing and kept finding good things. I genuinely like Joanna Goddard. Been reading her blog for like 15 years, and we are about the same age, and have kids, etc. She is so relatable as a mom, as a human, as a working professional. I like her a lot.

Anonymous wrote:This is not exactly what you're looking for but does hit a lot of your wants - Dr Becky on Instagram. One of her main mantras is "this feels hard because is it hard." And "my house is a mess but I am not a mess." It helps me sit with the unpleasant parts of this experience as life moves through them.

I had to stop following Dr. Becky - don't like her style.

Here are my favs. They all post to their blogs and IG. They do have more of an emphasis on fashion and beauty but they all include their family lives a lot!

https://lowstoluxe.com/
https://seeannajane.com/
https://9to5chic.com/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cup of Jo.

https://cupofjo.com/2012/02/motherhood-mondays-the-hardest-two-months-of-my-life/

This is a small part of her blog, but the rest of it is awesome too. Check out her sister's podcast as well, called "Gravity" with Lucy Kalanithi.

They talk about mental health in one episode: https://cupofjo.com/2021/06/lucy-joanna-podcast-depression/

Dr. Becky is so irritating to me. I don’t think there’s a good mommy blog.

I don’t know how old your kid is but I think group or individual therapy is a much better option.