Women, Women Everywhere
January 24, 2008
I don’t know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I started this blog hoping to attract men to this site… well, women too, you know. I was kind of surprised to see that my readership is 98% women. How can that be? Where are all the men? I know men use the internet - where are they? Probably playing fantasy sports or whatever you call it…
I know men aren’t as chatty as all you gals, so they are probably here reading but too afraid to comment, right? You think? Is it un-manly for a man to comment on a blog? Is it that my blog un-manly? Am I un-manly? Would more men read my blog if I talked about sports or cars? How about sports cars? I am just not that kind of guy. Never have been really.
I remember going to a "young marrieds" bible study when we first moved to California. We were 23 and 24 at the time. We met at this couple’s house along with another couple or two. We did not know any of them as we were new in town. So, we show up at their house and they are all talking about sports. Which one, I do not know. I have never really been into sports. The only "sport" I ever watched on TV was car racing and if I was extremely bored - fishing. What is the point? Why would you want to watch a person you do not know throw a ball around? Or swing a bat? Or kick a ball? Or whatever? I just don’t get it. Just so you know… there will be no sports talk on this blog.
At most events we go to and have ever gone to I am the one man that is in the kitchen discussing parenting techniques with the women. Most of the men always want to talk about cars, sports, work, sports and cars. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with talking about those things. But honestly, how much is there to say about a car or sports?
See, I like to talk about things that will help me in my life.
Things like cameras, for instance. A camera can better my life by allowing me to document more clearly the important things in my life - like my family and… not sports.
Things like parenting. I like to hear other viewpoints on parenting techniques. I am always looking to learn something new that might work better than what I am currently doing. And possibly I could share a thing or two with a parent is that is struggling in a certain area.
Things like… I don’t know. Just not sports. Or video games. Or TV, unless it is about HGTV, Food Network, The History Channel or something similar. See, I don’t mind talking about Alton Brown or Bob Vila, because they have something to offer me. They are actually teaching me something worthwhile. Not like watching sports. Or video Games.
So, now that you know what I will not be talking about - do you want to hear what I will be talking about? Good, me too. I say me too because I am not exactly sure what I will be talking about. I want this blog to be for you. After all, you are the ones coming here to read something.
What I want to know from all of you is what you want to read about. I am not necessarily speaking of specifics here, though that is fine too. I want to know, in general, what you are interested in reading about? What style of writing? Do you like to laugh when you read blogs? Do you like to read serious blogs?
But whatever you do, do not ask me to talk about sports. Or video games. Or TV. unless it is to talk about them in a negative light. Got it?
January 24th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I like blogs that make me laugh. I also like your sense of humor. You should share it.
January 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I just like hearing about your life with your family and ‘real life’ parenting moments. I’m not really into the super deep blogs (I’m ok with serious posts about what is happening in your life and how you are dealing with it, though), but I do like to learn something from a blog I read: either about that person’s life and/or something I can apply to my own. I love to be encouraged (an ex. in a weird way was Katie’s post about the Krispy Kremes. It was encouraging because even though y’all eat so healthy and strive to put only good things in your body, you still can enjoy something evil like KKs AND when the kids are in bed no less! Yea!) in my parenting and in my walk with God. Qs are good to get us involved and interative with your blog. I love to laugh when I read blogs. Lots. You and Katie both have great senses of humor, so that’s fun. ANd pictures are super duper!
HTH
January 24th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
p.s.
You know your post about Women Women Everywhere is a tease to do TODAY since we’re all waiting to see which limericks made the cut!!!?!
January 24th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
I would like to hear your testimony. How you incorporate the Bible in training your children. What kind of Biblical values you teach and how you explain them in your discipline. Do you take your kids to church, since you are in the Bible belt? I love when Katie shares parenting ideas. I have 5 kids under 8 and love to hear from those who have more. I think that is enough for now. I so wanted to do your contest and ran out of time. oh well:)
:>Michelle
January 24th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
You still have 5 minutes - deadline is noon PST.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
I’m up for a good Alton Brown discussion! Big fans here! Actually considered making Good Eats my ringtone. I like to laugh and I like information. Not sure which I favor more. I love to learn something, anything, even more about the Bettendorfs and what interests them.
Also like to learn stuff, like what the vitamin IVs do, why you favor Chiros (I do too, but I want to know why *you* all do), what you as a hubby think of homebirths (I’ve never been jealous of my dh’s job as birthing coach - I’d rather give birth any day than to be a labor coach for hours), I’m sure I can think of more.
Oh yea, you mentioned cameras. Ooooh - do teach us. What are your favorite features. Why is your camera better than mine? What brand do you consider superior? You can go on and on about photography or videography if it’s up to me (which you said it is).
January 24th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Between hitting send and my comment showing up, I decided I prefer info to laughter, as much as I like a good laugh. I’m an info junkie.
January 24th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
You are too funny!
January 24th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I think women do alot more with blogs and message boards b/c percentage-wise…they are at home more and can be online freely, while many husbands are working. I think it might have less to do with whether they are interested in family and parenting and more that they simply don’t have the time to daily chat about it.
Since you have been so interested in your reader’s opinions…..I’ve been going back and forth on what I think about your blog. I think I prefer the family blog approach where you both contributed to one blog…..together. I don’t know, it just seems like a better and wiser thing. I say forget this one (unless you can garner more male participation) and keep the “Team” in Team Bettendorf. Be your charming, humorous and informative selves all in one spot. JMHO.
January 24th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Jeff you’re cracking me up. I guess my husband is an “everyone” man. I say everyone because he loves football and video games and a little TV, but he won’t in a year and a half because we’re not really going to have any channels when we move. :) He also, however, loves the history channel and the discovery channel. As for blogs he reads though, he likes techie blogs and theological blogs. He loves to read about every new gadget and gizmo out there.
As for me, I just come here to hear whatever I don’t hear from Katie, sorry. Not for some amazing wit or whatever (not, of course, to say that you are not witty) :) This is just “the other view of the Bettendorf house” for me. LOL I can say all that, because I forgot to submit my Limerick, so you can’t use any comment against me. ;)
January 24th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
I’m with Tarah. Dump the blog. It takes up your precious time that could be spent changing poopie diapers.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I think that most blog readers are at home more and have developed some sort of a relationship with the people who’s blogs they read daily. I think, too that since YOU are home more, you are more in-tune to the “family life” and less of “the world.” I like blogs that show things as they really are. No bones about it blogging. Sometimes that will be happy, sometimes not. I’ve definitely lived through Jill’s cancer through your (Katie’s) blog.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I think Tarah has a good point in some ways. You and Katie make an awesome “TEAM” so maybe it’d be interesting for both of you to write your viewpoints on the same stuff, you know, adding your 2 cents to whatever the other wrote (on the same blog) so we have both the female and male perspective on whatever is going on with you all.
As for content, the parenting ideas, spiritual perspectives, house/camp building, and definitely adoption-related issues would all be great. Oh, and the healthy eating/cooking (for example the raw milk post was cool) and natural (read chemical free) stuff you all do is a great help to me, as well as the herbal/natural remedies.
Like Tarah said, with such a high female population, keeping the “Team” in Team Bettendorf is probably a good idea. A husband like you (and you are very similar to my super-duper hubby) who is committed to his family, supportive to his wife, and SO very involved in the day-to-day of his family is a “hot” commodity–if you know what I mean. Your perspective is a valuable tool for women readers who wonder what their dh might think of something or how to approach him on a subject, so whether you post here or there, I know you’ll have quite a “following” as does Katie.
I enjoy reading both your blog, and Katie’s. With 8 of my own, and most of them adopted, some with FAS and attachment issues, I value your experience and love hearing what your beautiful family is up to. Thank you both for being so open with your lives. I know there is probably lots that happens that we don’t see, but that you are willing to share so much is appreciated.
January 24th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
That would be a great idea - two contributors on one blog…. less clicks for your readers, too. ;)
January 24th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Lori, If you want to know Jeff’s perspective on what I write just add these words to the end of each of my posts. “That’s not how it went. She’s exaggerating.” If you want to know my take on Jeff’s posts you can add “You left out all the good parts!! Tell the rest of the story.” to the end.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Well, does a man hunching over a wife’s shoulder to read your blog count?! My guy was drooling over your house plans and wanting chit chat with you about it. Unfortunately, he is more of an in person talker than online. ;-) Eric is always running up to me when he spots me on yours or Katie’s blog as he also likes to talk about parenting, adoption and well, like you said… things that are actually productive.
I like blogs to be real. So that means if you are funny one day, informative the next, needing to vent or ask for advice after that then so be it.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I’m new to blogs, but thoroughly enjoy reading Katie’s blog, which of course lead me to yours. It is so encouraging to read about large families who are striving to live a God-honoring life. Thank you to you and Katie. By the way, I’ll try to turn my husband on to your blog, so you won’t feel so outnumbered!
January 24th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
I prefer separate blogs for the two of you. Different perspectives, different writing styles, different blogs. Just as long as we keep getting lots of pictures! I have enjoyed all of your posts so far!
My husband gets to “read” your blog through me…I often say “Jeff wrote…” or show him pictures. He doesn’t do any blog reading at all. He looks for fly fishing things on E-Bay or other sites…OOPS, is that a forbidden sports topic?
January 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Ginger, I am a big fan of Alton Brown too. When I am walking through Wal-Mart and hear him I have tio go find the nearest TV to see what he is saying. ;)
Sarah, I hope your “guy” was not drooling all over you too!
I am with you, Momma. And no, fishing is not forbidden because there is some value in it. :)
January 25th, 2008 at 8:37 am
I enjoy the separate blog thing. I enjoy hearing about your family. It’s so rare to hear about a dad who loves being a dad. You have a lot in common with my dh, too, which makes it fun. We don’t do the whole sports or tv thing either.
Anne
January 25th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Okay, I don’t mean to sound condesending but my husband works! He works and he very rarely gets on the computer at all. He leaves for work early in the morning and then we do ministry in the evening. When we are home he plays with the kids and occasionally gets to watch a movie. He has very little free time and he makes that sacrifice so that I can stay home with our children. I am very proud of him but he just doesn’t have time to read blogs or play on the computer. If I come across an e-mail or a blog that I think he really needs to read I will say usually at 10:30 or later hey you need to come look at this before bed but that is about all of the computer time he has.
He is the one that encouraged me to homeschool and got me started. I seriously didn’t think it was wise. Oh I am so glad I listened. He is so right of course he usually is.
He is a super sweetie but he just doesn’t have the time to play. If he did read his passions are about his job, his kids, and most importantly his God. He loves to discuss religion and occasionally politics but can do it in a way that he is not mad when he is finished. Can you tell I kind of like him?
I guess I am just trying to say that most men are busy with their lives and don’t have time to read blogs so they get he scoop from their wives.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I like the snippets of your lives…I like to know what to be praying for you all…and I LOVE the banter…I even like going to Katie’s blog and seeing the titles for your blog at the top…I’m so happy when there is something else to read. I only have 3 kids…and frankly I miss Katie quite a bit at the shed…so it’s nice to hear ya’ll…BOTH of you…and live vicariously through you for a few minutes.
My dh isn’t much of a blog reader…although he is familiar with your family through my updates…he paints scale models of war stuff…and old stuff…stuff that a different man might use and go play role playing games…basically painting and us is what he is interested in…so unless you manage to gather a lively curiosity for 1/15 scale world war two diaramas…and start posting pictures…he’s pretty much out.