PAIL: The next steps
I am thrilled to say that in just a matter of days, we already have more than 100 bloggers in the PAIL network. It’s obvious from reading many of your posts on the topic (and the overwhelming response so far) that I wasn’t alone in feeling caught between worlds.
I was also so happy to see how many of you pregnant ladies decided to join as well. Given the background of everyone on this list, we all know that being pregnant can sometimes feel tenuous and it can be hard to stand up and say ‘I am pregnant, hear me roar’ or such and such. You know what I mean.
But I love that you’re all here and I hope you found some other mamas-to-be that are due around the same time as you to connect with.
Okay, and while we’re on the topic, I want to address the pink elephant in the room. What happens when a pregnant PAIL member finds herself…well…no longer pregnant? (And, I’m obviously talking about the bad kind of not-pregnant here.)
I hate to even ask this, but what would people want in this situation? I’ve put a poll here to gather some opinions on the topic, so that we can devise the most sensitive way possible to deal with it.
You’ll notice I’ve organized bloggers into approximate ages of their children. As the list gets longer, I’ll probably but in a few more sub-categories, but for now, I think this is a good place to start.
I’ve got a few ideas up my sleeve including some contests that I’m planning in the months to come.
Of course, we’ll also have birth announcements for our pregnant friends when their little ones join the world.
If you’ve got any other ideas on things you’d like to see, please let me know.
And before I sign off, just a friendly reminder to add the PAIL button to your blog sidebar. You should have been emailed instructions, but if you need them again, they can be found here. For Blogger users, I’ve added a second option for adding the button since a few people seemed to be having problems with the first bit of code.
Thank you to everyone who joined already and for your support so far. This is going to be fun!
More than 100 bloggers?! You are incredible, lady. You really are! But, we knew that already
Aw, you’re making me blush.
Love love love. So glad we’re doing this! Again, don’t hesitate to ask if you need help with anything!
Wow I can’t believe there are 100 bloggers already! Great job
I look forward to meeting new bloggers and other exciting things you have up your sleeve.
Excellent work!
This is such a great idea. Thanks again for setting this up.
I think a comment leaving event a la ICLW is just the ticket! I’d love to make more connections from the list. Glad to have made a few already!
After a LOT of reading and a LOT of thinking today, I just wanted to clarify…
I am just now finding my voice and able to talk about IF. Not just online but in real life. I have suffered and struggled for a long time. I was scared to even comment on blogs as I was pregnant with my take-home baby when I found the ALI community. I never wanted to hurt anyone. I obviously don’t know the scope, breadth, and structure of the community as a whole. When I suggested this, I admit that I knew this was an event to make connections, but that’s all. I didn’t fully understand, and I certainly didn’t want to step on any toes.
When I was in the very bad place, I couldn’t handle pregnancies and babies in real life, let alone online when I was searching for commiseration. Then I had to take a good, long blog break. And now, I am searching for women in a similar situation to me so I can focus on parenting (with a worldview that IF changed) and start to heal some of the dark places. Sometimes, reading about where I was 2-3 years ago is too much, just like reading about where I am NOW would have been too much for me then. I was hoping to add a few blogs like that to my ALI reading. All I wanted (by suggesting a ‘meet and greet’ event), and desperately need, was to meet people in the place that I’m in so that I can begin to heal the place that I was. The women I have found over the last 2 years have been a source of support I can’t begin to quantify. I was only looking speak up a little, be heard a little, and listen to many more voices.
Thanks for doing this!!!!!! I LOVE it!
So glad this is coming together- thank you for doing this!
You rock, mama! Not sure how you’re having the time to do this, but I def appreciate it
I can’t tell you how nice it is to find women in the same situation. I was really feeling in limbo until Lindsey (Adventures of Endo in the Arctic) pointed me in your direction. Thanks so much for doing this!
Thank you so much for doing this! I am new to blogging and am trying to connect with others having secondary RPL/infertility issues. I was so glad to see you started this!
Katie
This is amazing, 100 blogs already?! Wow, what a wonderful community. I agree with others and want to say thanks for organizing this.
I am the least tech savvy person ever… took me five tries to install the button, but it is finally there! WOOT!