Against Online Bullying - The Mom Pledge

The Mom Pledge

I am a proud Mommy Blogger. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my blogging activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against online bullying. My blog is my space. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks from my blog with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference.

As a child, I was raised to have good social manners, to have confidence in my abilities, a balanced awareness of my own limitations, and open-mindedness to others’ opinions and beliefs.  Growing up, I've learned to differentiate what is right from what is wrong.  All these experiences--the combination of my upbringing, social interactions, and education--eventually form to become a part of my self-identity.  They help define who I am as person, how I conduct my behavior, and how I respond to life in general.  When these moral values and personal beliefs are manifested positively and consistently in all aspects of an individual's life, that person can be described as having "integrity."  To be a person with integrity is one of the things that I strive for in life.

It is only natural that each person would develop different beliefs and ways of living that are specific to his or her own experiences growing up.  The same applies to parenting styles.  With the exception of cases involving abuse (physical, psychological, or sexual) or threat to a child’s safety, I am aware that each mother might have different opinions regarding what’s best for her child, depending on her personal beliefs and values, and her firsthand knowledge of her child. 

The Mom Pledge makes it possible for mothers of different backgrounds, lifestyles and religious beliefs to share and exchange information about their family lives (parenting style included) in a manner that is supportive, unobtrusive, considerate, and non-judgmental.  By taking the Pledge, I am reaffirming my belief that each mother is entitled to raise her own child to the best of her ability and in ways that she deems fitting.  

I’m very fortunate to have come across so many amazing, incredibly thoughtful and well-written blogs during my short time as a blogger.  These are all blogs that are fun, insightful, humorous, and entertaining.  Oh, mommies being mommies, there are times when they are serious, and there are also times when they let loose, use “four-letter” words, and joke about things that are far from prim and proper.  But even then, it is clear to me that all these blogs have “integrity,” and not surprisingly, they all have taken the Mom Pledge.

I have not experienced bullying firsthand, but I’ve seen some rude and offensive comments directed at other bloggers.  Those are not comments that merely voice a different opinion or constructive criticism.  It was clear that they were intended to attack and insult the author of the post.  It’s easy to spot online bullying because they are so offensive and disrespectful in nature; however, it is not as easy to identify the perpetrator because they almost always hide behind their anonymity.  In all of those cases  I mentioned, the blog owners simply ignore the comment and move on to address the rest.  From what I’ve seen so far, it did silence the bully, because whoever it was did not continue with any more negative comments.  

I must admit that my natural response would be to at least defend myself against the said bully.  However, by taking the Pledge, I have also committed to eradicate online bullying by silencing them, therefore giving the perpetrator absolutely nothing to go on with.  I have seen, as in the cases I mentioned above, how the Pledge worked: all the blog owners chose to ignore the comment, and the bully was in fact silenced.  And then there is strength in numbers.  With more and more bloggers joining the Mom Pledge Community, we are the majority.  With nothing to feed on, the bulllies will wither and hopefully disappear for good.  

I have not had the chance to participate in the Mom Pledge Community so far, having just started my blog and taken the Pledge.  However, many of the blogs I have come across and made friends with are owned by mothers who have taken the Pledge.  As I’m making my first small steps into the Bloggy World, I’ve learnt that as in any culture, there are many unwritten rules that bloggers abide to as they interact with each other.  One thing I am sure of though, that by taking the Pledge and becoming a part of the Mom Pledge Community, it is a step in the right direction.

You too can take the Pledge and join other mom bloggers fight against online bullying.  Click on the Pledge button above and sign up now!