My Rant. This Can't End Well.

If you are here for a quick, happy visit, you may want to move on, I am about to rant.

{I do violate my own style and use the "f" word for referring to itself. You'll understand why.}

When Heather and I started SITS last year, we thought it would be great to have a place where any women blogger could get featured, find blogs, and participate in a positive, welcoming space.

Over time, we have grown at a steady rate, and have received WONDERFUL feedback from our SITStas. Thank you.

Recently, I have become active on Twitter, and introduced to a larger version of the blog world. I have been shocked at the snobbery and exclusion that goes on. SITS has kept me very safe and sheltered from this "cut-throat" side of mommy blogging.

There is definitely an "in crowd" and as with every "in crowd", a group trying desperately to get in. And, of course, to cement their reign, they need people to ignore or snicker about.

I did high school {and while I actually enjoyed it} I'm a grown up now. Looking to hang out with people who are comfortable enough in themselves to include and respect everyone. Not just the girls with the snarkiest comment, loudest opinion or biggest words.

SITS seems to have a reputation of being "rainbows and unicorns".

Somehow, we're not "real" as we feature based on participation, not "brilliance".

That because we don't feature posts with profanity, somehow we are censoring the "real" bloggers out there.

This puzzles me. So we know our audience. So changing "fucking" to "freaking" for a day in exchange for a few hundred visitors is asking to much? To make everyone comfortable for ONE DAY is over the top? Maybe the real brilliance is getting your point across with it?

I totally and absolutely respect bloggers who are not willing to change to be featured.

But, I don't respect bloggers who dismiss the community because of it.

Our biggest obstacle as women is often each other.

The judgment is ridiculous, cruel and totally counter-productive.

Whether it's breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, spanking, immunizing, Democrat, Republican, profanity or rainbows and unicorns- just because someone makes a different choice, it doesn't mean their choices aren't valid.

It doesn't mean they are ignorant, naive or criminal.

It means they are different.

The purpose of SITS is not to feature fabulously intelligent, witty bloggers, full of snark and sarcasm, or to feature mommy bloggers who gush about their adorable children, impeccable decor, delicious recipes, or Martha-esque crafts.

The purpose of SITS is to support one women every.single.day.

Recently, I saw a blog that's mission is to "feature" blogs.. {great idea, by the way}.

However, the "feature" gets rated.. Ripped apart. Chewed up. Spit out.

And, of course, it's all done anonymously.

What purpose does this serve?

Singling out blogs and tearing them down?

If you want to have a laugh with all your superior bloggy friends, why not make the blog private?

Is the public humiliation where you get your kicks?

I was seriously ready to close up shop and head out of dodge.

I want no part in "world" that celebrates a platform for choosing victims to scathe with atrocious insults.

Then, this came into my inbox:

"Thought I'd just let you know how AMAZED I was at the number of SITS girls who stopped in today. So many of them had very thoughtfully read the posts and left unique, insightful comments. Lots and lots of the visited every posted link and commented on each one. In this oft-snarky world of blogdom, I think SITS is in a category of it's own--offering a truly supportive community, a true band of SITSta's. Thanks for bringing us all together!"

I was reminded that SITS has become what Heather and I intended.

A positive, clique-free environment, where we are interested in doing one thing-

Making one women feel heard, appreciated, interesting and absolutely fabulous.

So, I think I am crawling back into my safe SITSland.

Where everyone is "the in crowd".

You all take such good care of me.

If you want to disagree, fine, but you'd need to be legit and have a blog.

Anonymous is Prohibited.