If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile then you’ve probably been made aware that I’m a member of the Babywise Friendly Blog Network. We are a group of bloggers who often do themed days or guest post on each other’s blogs. More than that though, this group of AMAZING women have become close friends for me and have provided endless insight into both Babywise and blogging. Today we are devoting the day to sharing more about WHAT the Babywise Friendly Blog Network is and WHO we are!
Let’s first cover: What exactly is this whole “BFBN” thing???
Valerie, from Chronicles of a Babywise Mom, explains:
In 2007, I started by blog in order to help parents with their Babywise questions. The internet was not a friendly place for Babywise inquiries and I wanted to be a voice for people who needs help and encouragement.
Four years later, in 2011, I wanted to expand that vision just beyond myself. Hearing from one person who does Babywise is nice, but wouldn’t several be even better? So I started the Babywise Friendly Blog Network. My vision was to have a group of bloggers who all follow Babywise who could work together to create one massive resource collectively for Babywise parents. Everyone has different life experiences in general, and this is especially true in parenting. Among all of us, we could more fully address the needs of parents out there.
Nearly 6 years later, the Babywise Friendly Blog Network (BFBN) is stronger than ever! We have had so many great bloggers join over the years and we have a fantastic group today.
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When I started my blog I was pregnant with Kye (2008) and hadn’t even heard of Babywise. Once I read the book (when he was around 3 weeks old) I was SOLD. However, I found it difficult to actually implement the Babywise techniques by just reading the book. I needed help and that’s when I discovered Valerie’s Blog. It is THE reason I’ve been so successful in using Babywise with all three of my children. Her blog is an invaluable Babywise resource and a few years ago when she personally contacted me about joining the BFBN I was beyond excited and thrilled. Valerie is someone I look up to so much and to be included in such a tight knit group with her is such an honor!
Members have come and gone over the years, but the friendships have stayed strong. I’m so thankful for these women. It’s a blessing and a gift to learn so much from others who have walked similar paths and who have similar goals in their parenting. It’s been so great for our readers too! When parents come to one of us with a Babywise question, we can help them through many resources and perspectives. While we aren’t in a baby stage right now, once we have another baby at home I know all of these blogs will be SO helpful to me!!!
Ready to find out just who makes up this awesome group? I’m providing a bit of info about each of my fellow members (I’m assuming y’all know who I am and what I’m about ha!) as well as some links to Babywise related contact from each of them too!
Valerie blogs over at Chronicles of a Babywise Mom. She has 4 children (Brayden age 12, Kaitlyn age 10, McKenna age 8 and Brinley who is almost 5). She lives in Utah and has a degree in English with a degree in technical writing. She loves to sing, organize, watch football and direct musicals. All of my group of friends who do Babywise refer to her simply as “THE Babywise Mom.” She knows her stuff y’all!
Carrie blogs at Wiley Adventures. She is married to Kyle and has four children (Laure Kate age 9, Shepherd age 6, Fischer age 4 and Archer who is 2). She is passionate about raising kids to be world changers, surviving by a good routine and schedule and loving God and people. She is a girl after my own heart who loves Disney and is actually a Disney travel agent! I’d love to visit Disney together at some point and keep suggesting a BFBN meet up at the happiest place on earth 😉
- Babywise and Cry it Out (Or don’t!)
- Conquering the 45 Minute Nap
- Roomtime (How We Do) Independent Playtime
Katrina blogs at Mama’s Organized Chaos. She has Caroline who is 2 1/2 and is also expecting her second child this December! Her blog has been such a flashback to me of the days where I could focus on just one child and it’s great to have her perspective in the group as so many of us have multiple kids and don’t always remember life before the crazy 😉 She’s a former engineer and high school chemistry teacher and now is a stay at home mom. She’s very passionate about breastfeeding, cloth diapering, making her own baby food, baby wearing, and sleep-training/ scheduling (proof that crunchy Babywise mama’s do exist! Ha!)
- 8 Benefits of Keeping Baby on a Schedule
- When to Make a Change to Your Baby’s Schedule
- Waking Early From Naps: What To Do
Kim blogs at Team Cartwright. She’s married to Pat and has three children: Benjamin (3) and Alison and Samantha (17 month old identical twins). Her goal is to help parents find solution that work for them and fit into each family’s individual priorities. She’s a former chemist and accountant and is very passionate about helping people embrace STEM fields and get past their fears of math and science.
- Maintaining Sleep Schedules on Vacation
- Babywise Favorites: The Dream Feed
- Babywise Favorites: The Pause
Natasha blogs at Let’s Be Brave. She lives in Texas and is married to Gary. She’s a foster/adoptive mom as well as an IVF mama too. She is a CPS and adoption lawyer in Texas. She has four children (Laurel age 6, Bennett age 5, Christopher age 2 and Everly age 2 months). Her calling is so awesome and reading her blog has been so inspiring for me while we walk our path of adoption. She brings such a different perspective to the table and I’m thankful to have her as a great resource!
Caitlin blogs at Twin Mom and More. She is married to Ben and has three children (Theo age 3 1/2 as well as Josie and Margo who are 16 month old twins). She is a former music teacher with a masters in flute performance. She loves to eat healthy (who lists kale and quinoa as favorite foods?!?!) but also loves a good fancy cupcake (all about that balance!). She is not a sugarcoater type person (which y’all know I’m all about) and strives to make her blog a judgement free zone. Caitlin is our newest member and she’s already added so much to our crew!
- How I Got My Twins to Sleep Through the Night
- Self Care Activities for Busy Moms
- The Loneliness of Motherhood that No One Talks About
Christine blogs at Christine Keys. She lives in New Zealand and it’s SO fun learning about all the differences in our cultures (she’s a day ahead of us AND opposite seasons for one!). She has two precious babies (Jack and Anne) and is pregnant with her third (little Charlotte!). Her blog is not only filled with wonderful content but she has THE most incredible eye for beautiful things and design.
- The Myths of Babywise
- A Simple Explanation of What Sleep Training Is
- How to Successfully Have Siblings Share a Room
If you’re in the Babywise trenches then this post should fill you with hope: you are NOT ALONE! You have all of us who have gone through it ourselves and who love to share our personal insight and experiences! If you’re looking for Babywise specific help you can visit all of these bloggers and you can also see my other favorite resources here! Be sure to visit all of my fellow Babywise Friendly Blog Network friends and next time you see “BFBN” you’ll know what it means and who it includes! 😉
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