Author

Deborah Cruz

A Creative Force Redefining Motherhood She's not your average mom blogger. With a razor-sharp wit, an unparalleled knack for storytelling, and a passion for authenticity, Deborah is single-handedly rewriting the narrative around modern motherhood. As the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of the award-winning Parenting, Lifestyle, and Travel website, The TRUTH about Motherhood, Deborah has carved out a unique space in the digital landscape. Far from the curated perfection of traditional "mommy blogs," her powerful, unapologetic voice has resonated with thousands of women seeking refuge from the pressure to be perfect. But Deborah is no one-trick pony. Behind the scenes, she's a digital marketing powerhouse, leveraging her expertise in SEO copywriting, brand storytelling, and content strategy to help businesses of all sizes elevate their online presence and forge genuine connections with their audience. With over 15 years of experience as a professional digital marketer, Deborah possesses a rare combination of creative flair and analytical prowess. She has honed her skills in authentic growth through engagement, seamlessly weaving together emotionally-driven narratives and data-backed insights to deliver exceptional results for her clients. Whether she's captivating readers with her relatable tales of the messy, beautiful journey of motherhood or crafting impactful digital campaigns for leading brands, Deborah's work is united by a common thread: an unwavering commitment to honesty, vulnerability, and the power of human connection. So, if you're looking to elevate your brand, expand your reach, or simply find solace in the raw, unfiltered reality of modern parenting, look no further than this trailblazing creative force. Deborah Cruz is redefining the status quo, one heartfelt story and game-changing strategy at a time.

Mommy Truisms

I’m at MommyNaniBooBoo & the ORIGINAL Mommy Truisms

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/30

written by Deborah Cruz

I have the pleasure of guest posting over at MommyNaniBooBoo today. I’m sure most of you know Jenni but if you don’t you should really check her out. She is the perfect mix of sweet and snark, she’s sweetly snarkilicious and funny as all get out. She is my must read and she has allowed me to grace her page.

Please go check out my post today One is like One but two is Like Ten and leave some love! Meanwhile, I am leaving you with the original Mommy Truisms Post which posted on April 21, 2010. Hope you enjoy.

This is something new that I thought I’d share. It is my list of Mommy truisms. I will post a few today and then let them trickle in as they come to me from here on out. Happy Mothering!

No matter how beautiful/adorable your child is~ they are 100 times cuter when they are asleep.

Spit up is not an allowable accessory to any outfit, but as another Mommy I will let it slide because it is better than some of the alternatives i.e poop. pee. full on vomit, etc.

Modesty is a thing of the past! When in labor with my first, I was so embarrassed because my belly was so enormous that the gown didn’t cover my ass.Now after never peeing, pooping, waxing, shaving, showering, changing a feminine product alone, and a myriad of other so called ‘private’ things that I ‘share’ with my children due to lack of privacy…that modesty has passed.
Mom’s who work outside of the home are brave, courageous, and strong.
Mom’s who stay home are braver, slightly crazy, extremely courageous, and in desperate need of a night out and some adult conversation.
Waking a sleeping child is like waking a sleeping bear; JUST DON”T DO IT!!!!
With the right motivation, Daddies are underrated and capable and willing to do so much more than we want to admit or allow them to do.

These are my truisms for today. What are yours? I’d love to hear them!

2011/03/30 22 comments

Tech

Hipstamatic Versus Instagram: Battle of the Best Camera Apps for your iPhone

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/29

written by Deborah Cruz

Hipstimatic versus Instagram

Hipstamatic versus Instagram: Battle of the Best Camera apps for your iPhone. Hipstamatic had me at hello. If you have a love of photography and your iPhone you will fall deeply in love with the Instagram and Hipstamatic apps. I am a self-proclaimed paparazzi, like most Moms, and in being so, I need a good camera app within arms reach at all times. We never want to miss a moment, a memory, a photo opportunity.

Hipstamatic is an app that I fell in love with at first use. The sheer volume and variety of photo taking combinations one can come up with simply by changing the lens, flash and/or film type is mind blowing. Or if you want to live dangerously you can leave your combo to fate simply by shaking your iPhone and seeing which settings combo it lands on. I find it remarkable that this app allows me to take photos on my iPhone that look like they were taken on a vintage camera. This is all done before you ever take the photo on your camera. When you take the actual photo it’s just a matter of pointing and shooting. The results are always unpredictably beautiful.

I love the fact that the app is affordable at a whopping $1.99 and I can buy upgrade packages with more options of lenses, film and flashes. It’s easy to use and takes great photos. What could be easier for someone on the go? It allows us the convenience of a Digital SLR with a touch of creative license but without the tedium of having to pull your photos into Photoshop. The Hipstamatic app also makes photo sharing instantly via Flickr, Facebook, and email easy and convenient. The Hipstamatic app is available for the iPhone and Android but has yet to be released in a version for the Blackberry.

The Instagram app is the Hipstamatic apps younger, streamlined sister. While Instagram is very much like Hipstamatic, it offers a few crucial options that the Hipstamatic app does not. Instagram allows you to take your photo first or use an existing photo and then you have the option of applying one of the fifteen filters to the photo to achieve the affect that you want. Basically, you can take your photo and plug it into a variety of filters before deciding which you like the best. Of course, you are limited to just the fifteen filters.The photo filters can create incredible effect. It’s just a matter of playing with the app and learning what looks best aesthetically to you.

Instagram

The Instagram app allows you to share your photos as well, almost immediately after taking the photo and choosing your filter effect, you are asked to save and then you are prompted to identify the photo as What ( a caption) and Where ( location) which it defaults to your current location unless you specify otherwise or decline.

The Instagram app has a much greater social aspect to it. It allows you to share your photos via Twitter, Facebook, email, Flickr, Tumblr, Foursquare or Posterous. This has no bearing on the quality of the photos in comparison to Hipstamatic, it is only for socialization sake. The Instagram app also allows you to find and invite friends to follow you on Instagram. If you are a private person or want to keep photos of your children private, you can set your security settings to private. The Instagram app is currently only available for the iPhone.

All in all, I prefer Hipstamatic for photo taking because I use the app for quality aesthetically pleasing photos. I feel that the combination of lenses, film and flashes lends itself to a much greater degree of variety in your photos and allows you to be more creative. But if you want an app that allows you the ease of sharing photos via social networks, Instagram is for you. They are both great apps. I’d liken it to the difference between using a Digital SLR and a point and shoot. Both have their place and assets, but I prefer my Digital SLR. In the battle of the best camera apps for your iPhone between Hipstamatic and Instagram there are no losers.

What’s your favorite Phone camera App; Hipstamatic or Instagram?

2011/03/29 3 comments

How to exude confidence and Be a Priority in your own Life

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/28

written by Deborah Cruz

How to exude confidence and be a priority in your own life.The following post was written over a year ago, when I needed a little self confidence boost and reminder to be a priority in my own life and all my relationships. I dug it out to remind myself how it feels to have confidence in your body, health, relationships and love. I think many of us can use this post to lift us up and remind us of who we are, even when we don’t feel like it.

Bringing the Feisty Broad back

I am a Mommy, first and foremost. It’s a fact of my life. I love it. I chose it. This is not something that I got trapped into, this was something that I intentionally chose, in fact, it was one of my loftiest aspirations. I used to be a daughter and sister, then a wife, then a Mommy. Somewhere in there, for a brief fleeting moment, I got to be “Debi”. I remember that girl, I liked her. She was a lot like me but had absolutely no real ramifications for her behavior. Awww, sweet freedom. I do miss you. It was awesome. It was pre filter on the mouth and brain for child security reasons, yet, post the imposed filter of my personal freedoms by my Father.It was wonderful; it was euphoric. I was selfish, care free, and completely oblivious to the wants and needs of others. I know it sounds perfectly awful. I always did exactly what “I” wanted to do, with no care or concern for anyone else. I know it sounds terribly vain and narcissistic, perhaps it was, but it was fabulous..for that time in my life…all 15 minutes of it. I was the priority. These days, I am “Mommy”, “Honey”, “Mama” ,”You”, “Mother”, “Mrs. Big Guy” ( now, Truthful Mommy) but hardly anyone ever calls me “Debi” anymore.I feel as if I have disappeared figuratively and literally. But for someone who is invisible, I certainly do stay busy. How can this be? It is absolutely mind boggling to me but I am fairly certain that I am not alone in this situation. Can I get an amen from my Mommies out there? I KNOW you know what I’m talking about.

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Photo courtesy of the internet

I go through life, these days, busier than ever before yet feeling like I really never accomplish anything in my days. Every night, I am thoroughly exhausted ( believe me..just ask the Big Guy)but usually I can’t sleep.Every morning, I am still so tired because I was up the previous night until 2 am thinking of all the “Stuff” I have to do the next day. No fair, right? Last year ( 2 years ago now), I made a conscious decision that 2009 was going to be the year of “Debi”. I had my mind made up, I was planning to plan to revive that feisty broad.It’s pretty bad when you are telling your husband something about yourself before he met you and he is looking at you like you are full of shit because the “you” he knows, would never do something like that.I was determined, I was making a comeback in my own life. That was my plan! Then, real life and minutia got in my way. So, around September ( my birthday to be exact) I put my foot down and started getting to it…for like the 100th time since I had realized that I wanted to change some things.

This time it was different though. This time, I made real efforts. I joined Weight Watchers ( yes, to my initial utter embarrassment. I had so convinced myself that I was not “that” fat but I was, in fact, “that” fat and let me tell you..admitting it was the first real step towards fixing it !) , I started walking and working out and making a genuine effort..and didn’t quit or make up excuses after I got bored with it. This time I approached it like an adult. I also joined some Mom’s groups that stress being a woman and not just a “Mommy”, I made new friends ( I had to we had just moved half way across the country from absolutely everyone we knew), I got a babysitter ( a first for my children aside from the very occasional grandparent) and I forced myself to go out without my children. At my husbands insistence, I even made it out to a few MNO! Life was turning around. People were calling me “Deborah” , granted it wasn’t Debi but hey, a more adult version of myself is a good thing, right? Then the holiday’s hit. We traveled and it was one thing after another. So, here we are at the beginning of 2010 ( 2011 now). I am still forging on to revive myself. I am the priority in my life now, well…I am one of the top 3, for sure. I am a work in progress, but that is ok. As long as I am on my own to do list, there is hope for “Debi”

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self confidence, woman, self esteem, priority

Photo courtest of Google image

My point being, with a little real concerted effort, I am 25 lbs. smaller than I was in September, I have made some wonderful new friends, and I am feeling more like the starring role in my own Cinderella story versus the cat that belonged to the ugly stepsisters. I feel like by getting back to “Debi” and introducing that intelligent,beautiful, healthy, cultured, well read, strong woman to my girls that I am not only regaining my independence, my very existence… I am showing them ,by living example, that they are important and vital to their own life story.That no matter who they are, what they think, what they look like, what they choose to be or do in their lives, they must be present and they must be content with the versions of themselves who are present because they are imperative to their own happiness and nothing is more important than feeling like you matter and being fulfilled with who you are in your own life. Who I am is a direct reflection on who my daughters will someday become. I want them to know they can have the world and that they deserve it all and so does Mommy. I want to teach them how to exude confidence and be a priority in their own life. I want to have it all and I want them to know they can too. The paddles are out, Clear…..

Obviously, life derailed me again with yet another move and the whole commuter arrangement but this piece reminds me of two things one; I am SO WORTH the EFFORT and two; I am NOT a QUITTER. I persist and I work hard and then I conquer. I am woman hear me roar. How do you exude confidence and stay a priority in your own life?[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

2011/03/28 17 comments

Weight Loss

Nutrisystem Update~ Week 20

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/27

written by Deborah Cruz

Nutrisystem Update~Week 20 I am happy to report that I am down 2 more pounds. Excuse me while I do the happy dance…again this week! I am convinced that the whole writing every single food that passes my lips is the key for me. The Nutrisystem food is keeping me feeling full and losing weight. Another key component are the snacks. I’ve never been a big snacker. It just seems to be what always derails me on a diet is that I wait for the meal and then I over indulge..usually on carbs.

Thank God the Nutrisystem food allows me carbs. There are so many awesome pastas, pizzas, and snacks i.e brownies,ice cream and chocolate that it really helps with the variety.The spice of life you know:) I have been on the program for 5 months so I am getting a little bored with the same foods.Naturally, I have a few favorite Nutrisystem meals that I get all the time.This probably is the real culprit. But lucky for me the ever evolving Nutrisystem foods and the company as a whole are coming out with new foods all the time. Also, there are a lot of Nutrisystem nutritionist approved recipes that I have not checked out yet and I they look mighty tasty, so I see myself checking them out very soon.

Spring break is right around the corner, but I;m not sure my new bikini body is road worthy yet but it will be soon! How about yours? If you are interested in more information about this great plan please feel free to contact Nutrisytem or call 888-853-4689. What do you have to lose? Aside from a few pounds, that is?

DISCLOSURE: Nutrisystem is providing their program to me free of charge in exchange for my participation in the Nutrisystem Nation Blogging Program and weekly updates. I am not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed in this post are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

2011/03/27 2 comments

Throat Punch Thursday

Throat Punch Thursday ~Sleep Deprived Friendly Skies Edition

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/25

written by Deborah Cruz

The midnight landings of two jets at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, after the control tower mysteriously fell silent this week, raises serious national security concerns, security experts and former air-traffic controllers say. I’d say a resounding YES that is a problem when the control tower has fallen silent.Should we be putting out an amber alert for the missing air traffic controller?

The two jets landed within a few miles of the White House, the Capitol, the Pentagon and other sensitive government buildings without clearance from the tower because the air-traffic controller on duty did not respond on the radio or telephone.Hello, haven’t we made up our minds..I don’t know about 11 years ago to tighten security for these purposes? Why the hell are we all getting felt up by TSA if the damn air space is not being adequately monitored.

The lone supervisor on duty in Reagan National’s tower told investigators Thursday that he had fallen asleep while working his fourth consecutive overnight shift, the National Transportation Safety Board said. There is so much wrong with this sentence that I can’t even touch it. All I can say on the subject is that there apparently needs to be more than 1 person on the night shift, especially since this is the air space over our nation’s capital. Perhaps the over night shift controllers should be issued an intravenous espresso drip? Maybe a little government issued crack..Charlie Sheen grade.That should keep some folks awake for a 4 day shift.

The two jets, which were carrying 165 people, landed after pilots were advised by a controller at a regional facility in nearby Warrenton, Va., that it would be OK to do so. WTF? So it was literally phoned in? I so don’t want my flight landed remotely. If you don’t have eyes on the air space aren’t you basically making an educated guess? This could have ended in catastrophe on several levels.

“That’s just not a good idea, especially with the White House right there,” Luckey says. NO shit! Is this the brains of this outfit. Thank you very much Captain Obvious for your astute observation. Any other bright ideas?

So it is my mandatory civic duty to issue the Throat Punch to Sleeping Beauty of the Friendly skies. I understand he is pleading the whole, I was tired defense. FAA, as standard protocol, has issued a drug test. I’d say that is a good idea. Just say NO , my good sir. Drugs or no drugs, it’s a little frightening to think that someone in such a crucial position can nod off due to fatigue. To me that is a certain sign that perhaps the over night shift should be broken down into smaller increments. Perhaps, no more than 2 consecutive days of the overnight shift in the control box…anywhere really but especially in the DC area.This story has me a bit frightened to fly. If I would have been one of the 165, I’m not sure you could ever get me onto another plane knowing that the person on duty, whose position is to be awake and control traffic is indulging in impromptu naps. To you my narcoleptic friend, I give you a hefty Throat Punch, perhaps it will help keep you awake. Sweet dreams!..on your own time that is, not when I’m flying into DC.

2011/03/25 6 comments

Health Mental Health

Letting my Full Figured Freak Flag Fly

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/23

written by Deborah Cruz

Today , I stopped over at The Curvy Girls Guide and read an article about all these brave women telling the world their weight and posting beautiful pictures of themselves. In the article Getting Real about Your Weight, I was hit immediately by how deeply I could relate to the first paragraph

“For twelve years, I have hidden my weight from my husband, refusing to step on a scale in front of him. This man sees me naked every day. He’s been in the bathroom while I pee. He’s held my hair while I vomited (from the flu…not tequila…give me some credit here). He has touched every single inch of my body. Yet, my weight has been a shameful secret.”

I have spent most of my adult life, as long as I can remember, obsessing over my weight. Always wanting to be just that 10 pounds less. I’ve been a 5 and a 20 and everywhere in between. This is not an easy thing for me to admit..or accept. I am very sensitive about my weight and have gone to extremes to keep it down. This is evidenced by the time my all consuming fear of the freshman 15 sent me into an 8 year battle with anorexia and bulimia. So obviously, when I see these women being so loud and proud. I am simultaneously impressed and proud of their courage but at the same time the thought of sharing my actual weight “in numbers” horrifies me and I think I would avoid it at all and any costs.

But in the fall of 2009, when I was the heaviest that I have ever been, I just felt that I had to tell my husband. I know he has eyes and can see but for the same reasons that I kept my deep dark secret, I needed to be honest with him.For the 8 years that I was consumed by eating disorders, I was a liar( to myself and everyone around me..about food), a manipulator ( I could convince people that they had seen me eat, even when they had not), I was not the person that I wanted to be..aside from the body.It left me feeling guilty and shameful. They say you are only as sick as your deepest secrets, well, I needed to unburden myself of the weight secret before into sent me back into another tail spin. I had to be honest with him as a way of being completely honest and accountable to myself.

My husband knows about the history of eating disorder, he was a big catalyst for why I stopped 13 years ago. I just couldn’t face the thought of him finding out on his own and thinking I was completely crazy, or worse marrying him and getting so consumed by the disease that he lost me. Either way, I pulled a Charlie Sheen and I made the decision to stop, and I followed that by 3 years of weekly therapy. Yes, I’ve examined myself inside and out..several times.

But fall of 2009, more nervous than I was the first time I had to break the news to him that we were pregnant, I took a deep breath and I made the decision to say the number out loud. With trepidation, I uttered those three numbers.It was terrifying, sad, and scary.In that moment, I faced my biggest fear.

Now,I am working hard to get this weight off and keep it off the healthy way with the help of Nutrisystem, this really helps me with my portion control. I am also , as an ex Weight Watcher, counting calories and watching points and getting more active. I need control of the weight. I’m not vomiting or starving myself anymore so I have to be sure that I am aware of what I allow into my body. I hate that I am this way but it’s just the way I’ve been hardwired for so long.I always say being an person who had eating disorders is like being an alcoholic, you may refrain from partaking but you have already tasted the forbidden fruit and you know that option is there..looming. I am in no danger of returning.I’m working my journey and I will get to where I feel good in my skin and then I WILL PROCLAIM MY WEIGHT WITH PICTURES AND A VLOG. But for now, I’m still a little too raw about the number on the scale, the size of the jeans, and the way my clothes hang on my body.But I will get there, not to a number…to the feeling, of comfort and grace. Curvy is beautiful but we all have a place where we need to dwell within ourselves that leaves us feeling beautiful and peaceful.This is all that I want, that’s all that anyone wants. Isn’t it?

But I wanted to point out these beautiful , brave women. Please go check out the article and leave them so me love. And if you’ve ever been where I’ve been, love yourself. You are beautiful. You are amazing!

2011/03/23 14 comments

Parenting

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/22

written by Deborah Cruz

Tonight, right before bed, Bella wanted a cookie. I, obviously, said no. You know, in the name of teaching her healthy eating habits, keeping her sugar intake down (especially before bed), keeping her teeth from rotting out of her head and a plethora of other reasons. You know the usual reasons we don’t give our littles sugar before bed. Common sense and we don’t want them awake all night bouncing off the walls. Then “it” happened.
Bella (very sheepishly) : Mommy, I want to tell you something but Grandma told me not to tell you. WTF? OFMG, I am bracing myself for God knows what. I just knew my daughter was going to let some deep dark family secret out of the bag. Give me the real low down on how they REALLY feel about me. I won’t lie, I winced a little.

Me: Yes, Bella. You KNOW you NEVER keep secrets from Mommy.NEVER! You tell me EVERYTHING.I don’t care who tells you to keep a secret.You TELL MOMMY THE TRUTH. What did Grandma tell you NOT to tell me? At this point, aside from wondering what the hell the secret was going to be, I am quite annoyed that someone would tell my daughter to keep a secret from me. I loathe liars, with a passion.This is not a secret. Bella knows this. My husband knows this. I don’t lie. I don’t like being lied to. No matter how small the lie is, it undermines trust and that ,my friends, is NO BUENO!

Bella: Well, Mommy, Grandma gave us peanut butter Oreo cookies and candy and a bunch of sugar before bedtime when she watched us the other night. Hmmm, is she referring to the night that the lovely and delicious Grandma babysat so that the Big Guy and I could go out for a supercalifragilistic date night? That night? The night that SHE was responsible for getting them to bed and to sleep? Really, this offense is not punishable by death. Isn’t that pretty much what Grandma’s do? Ply kids with sugary treats , surprise goodies and obscene amounts of hugs and cuddles?I actually expect this behavior. I mean as far as Grandma’s and MILs go, mine is pretty freaking AWESOME.WE love her big time around here.

But I am perplexed. I can let sugary indiscretions slide but encouraging or condoning keeping things from me, well, that’s just not acceptable. I can NOT tolerate someone teaching my children that it is alright in any way, shape or form to lie to me..their MOTHER. It wasn’t even worth lying about but the whole idea of asking my kids to keep anything from me, sends the wrong message. I am really trying to teach my girls to NOT lie and to have open honest dialog with their father and I.I am trying to teach them that their word is important and if they say something they must abide by their words.Promises must be kept. The truth must be spoken.

Me: Bella, I am very proud of you for telling me the truth. You can always tell me the truth. YOU won’t get in trouble for telling me the truth. But if I ever find out that you are lying to me again, I will be very disappointed in you and you will have to be disciplined. And if anyone ever tells you to keep a secret from me again, you come straight to me and tell me! OK?

Bella (looking a little worried and slightly relieved): See Mom, aren’t you glad that I gave up lying for Lent? I guess I was a good example with my Lenten caffeine sacrifice! I had to giggle a little.

I assured her that she did the right thing by ratting out Grandma. Grandma, if you’re reading this post, no more telling the girls to keep anything from me in the future.We’re all good, just remember that and I don’t care if you give the kids sugar, I expect that.

What would you do if you found out Grandma,or anyone, told your kid to keep secrets from you? Does it matter what the lie is?Is there such a thing as a little lie to be kept from a mother? I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

2011/03/22 12 comments

Blogging

Twitter; How to tweet your way into the Hearts of Complete strangers without feeling like a Total ass or seeming like a Stalker

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/21

written by Deborah Cruz

Twitter~ Today is Twitter’s 5th birthday! Awww, Happy birthday little guy. This explains why I was so late to the Twitter game. Silly me, I was too busy trying to figure out this growing and giving birth to babies business to try and figure out Twitter too.I don’t think I made it to the party until late 2009, early 2010. But let’s be honest,probably like most of you, I got to the party and felt like I was on Mars. It was completely foreign to me. Facebook, I got. Facebook was, you know, a way to check in on old friends to see how fat they got and to spy on ex boyfriends to see how fat my replacement was. I’m pretty social,I can chit chat with anyone ….I know. Hell, take me to a in real life party and I’m the one flitting from person to person, saying hi and giving kisses..real ones, not those fake air ones. But Twitter was 140 characters out into the abyss. I didn’t know ANYONE in real life who was on Twitter, except for my 16 year old cousin who already told me that she was going to the mall and taking a poop via her Facebook status. I always thought to myself, thanks for alerting the world and any potential kidnappers to your whereabouts. SO,I got to Twitter and I tweeted a couple tweets and it was like throwing a pebble into a cave…crickets chirping. Of course, I had no followers and I followed….Oprah. That.Was. it! Long story short, It took me about 6 months to take another go at it and figure out what I was doing.I’m here to help you not hear those same damn Twitter crickets. This is a great piece in conjunction with How to Build a Mommy Blog Without Blowing Up the Joint or Alienating TOO many People. I’m giving you the tools to optimize your Twitter experience.

photo courtesy of google image

Twitter

Open a Twitter account.Come on everybody’s doing it. Now, when you do this, choose your @name carefully, this is what the good people of Twitter will know you by.This is your handle.If you have a blog, I suggest using your blog name or pen name.Mine is @TruthfulMommy, in case you were wondering. I know you were. Choose a name that makes it easy for your blog followers to find you on Twitter. I don’t recommend choosing a kitschy name like @HarryBalls because it will not likely attract potential followers but will have a high yield return on porn spammers.Of course, if that’s what you’re into.Go on with your bad self @HarryBalls!
Also,DON’T put your actual address on Twitter,as anyone can see it.Unless of course you LIKE to have stalkers, then I say..go for it.
For the love of GOD, please upload a picture. I beg of you.NOBODY wants to follow, answer tweets, be followed by an “EGG” (this is the universally generic code for, I have no photo because I am a shady character of some sort) avatar.Don’t do it!I can’t stress this enough. This is a way to alienate people on Twitter.
Add something to your profile to tell us a little about yourself. This is your introduction to the party.Don’t stand there and be silent.When others are searching for people to follow, this small bio is all they have to go on. I must admit, I don’t follow people back if they have no bio. That’s like walking up to a complete stranger, who may or may not be friendly.I just move on to the next person.
Once you have your name, time to dip your toe in the Twitter waters. My suggestion is to start by following some of your favorite bloggers. You most likely already like them to some degree, if you read their blog. So, start there. It’s a great way to get to know them on a deeper, more spiritual level. Nah, not spiritual but definitely deeper. You will get to know them as a person. People tweet a lot more often than they blog. It’s a fact.
Just because you follow 757,000 celebrities, don’t expect them to follow you back or tweet with you.It is as bad as crickets. Are you a celebrity that knows these people in real life? If so, go for it. Their Twitter accounts are a great source for knowing their business but not for making friends or networking. If you want tweeting relationships, follow real people.

Twitter, I Heart You So

After you’ve secured some people that you follow, you will see their tweets. *Tweets, in case you don’t already know, are short 140 character messages that allow people to say something..anything….everything.
Next, this is crucial, say something ;ENGAGE your Twitter followers. Come on! Don’t be shy. They say something that you find funny, interesting, relate-able, whatever the case may be, comment. Just be yourself and be real. Nobody likes a phony baloney.Believe me, no one wants to hear those damn twitter crickets..unless of course they ARE @Oprah who has 5,395,627 followersand tweets once every other week. She’s busy, normally that’s not the case. Most people tweet because they want someone to tweet back.You tweet , they will tweet back and likely..you will have earned your first Twitter follower.
Do NOT constantly tweet at one particular person,unless it’s your Mama and even then, don’t do it.This is not to say that you should comment on every single thing something one particular person says, unless you’ve already developed some sort of rapport, unless you want to find yourself blocked as a Twitter stalker. The only exception is celebrities, and this is only the case because they are most likely NOT responding to most tweets. Plus, they are used to dealing with paparazzi so a little twitter stalker is probably harmless in comparison.
Think about why you are tweeting and who you want your audience to be.You’ve got your account, name, and photo. You are following some real people. Interacting.Engaging. You have earned some followers. Now, it’s time to get your Twitter frame of mind on. Why are you tweeting? Friends? Networking for business? Spying on celebrities? Once you make this decision, then you might start to look for either like minded folks or people in the industry that you are trying to network. Believe me.I have thoroughly convinced myself that Twitter was made for 30 something and up Mommies and Daddies to get advice, gossip, make friends and network. THAT is my Twitterverse.Now, pretend you are at a party and make the rounds. Jump in and say hello. Introduce yourself. Don’t be afraid to shine. They don’t know that you are sitting there in your PJs. Start a conversation, say something controversial, ask for advice, compliment someone.This is how you get started on using and growing your twitter acquaintances. Remember, if you don’t speak up..no one even knows you’re there.
After you get the hang of this, the possibilities are limitless. I have met fabulous people who I would NEVER have met if left to my limited geographical devices. I have learned a lot from some great people.I’ve made great friendships.I’ve networked myself into the good graces of some wonderful opportunities that would otherwise have not existed if I hadn’t joined Twitter. DO it. Don’t be afraid.It’s only awkward for a minute. I promise. And you can always follow @TruthfulMommy and I’ll walk you through it:)
Be aware of the conversation.If you butt into a conversation, which we all do on Twitter, be sure to know what was being said before you got there or at least have some idea of the context. It can be embarrassing if not and some people REALLY don’t like it.
NO AUTO DMS! They should be OUTLAWED. They are rude and everybody hates them. Even the sick bastards who use them..HATE THEM!
Use DM if nature of tweet is private.If you have something personal or sensitive to say to someone, DM them.DO NOT tweet it. My husband is a newbie and guilty of this.THANK GOD I have his password and can delete before he embarrasses me to badly:)
Don’t over tweet your posts or keep saying the same thing over and over again.You will bore people and they will leave.It’s not about tweeting often, it’s about having something to say in your tweets.If not, don’t expect a load of tweets back.It is perfectly acceptable to use your Twitter to promote your posts and yourself, just be aware of your time frame.No one wants just YOU ambushing their tread.
Don’t get all crazy if someone doesn’t tweet back on something you tweet.Some people have huge treads and can’t possibly read every tweet. And some people, myself included, leave Twitter open…even when away from computer. So, I may not actually be on twitter. I know, it’s crazy but sometimes I actually have to leave the house and play with the kids, clean the house, buy groceries, rule the world.
Retweet what you think is worthy.If you read a funny, interesting tweet that someone else wrote or feel their tweet contained a piece of information, post, or message that needs to be shared, retweet(RT) it . They will appreciate it and so might your followers. But be aware, you may have followers who you know nothing about and a simple RT can be grounds for a Twitter attack and subsequent Divorce. We mustn’t forget the Justin Bieber situation?
Don’t be a numbers whore. I know we all get excited about getting a lot of followers. It’s about quality of Twitter relationships not quantity. I myself am guilty of this. I Love having loads of tweeps ( Twitter peeps) to engage and interact with so I’ve gotten a little crazy on numbers before. I’m sure most of you remember New Years Eve of 2010, when I gained almost 100 followers in a matter of about 20 minutes with the help of my #wineparty friends. It was exciting and I love my #wineparty tweeps like nobody’s business, #Wineparty is hosted by @Blogdangerously every Friday night at 9 pm EST. You basically follow the hashtag (#, used to keep tweets on a particular topic together and easily found) and we all drink and tweet.Lots of fun and a great way to get to know people on Twitter.
Beware of Twitter jail. I know that you think I am yanking your chain, but I assure you that I am NOT. I know this because I ,myself, have spent time in the Twitter joint. *GASP* I know, the gall. Apparently, if you have a big Twitter mouth ( as I do) and tweet more than 100 tweets in an hour, you will most certainly do not pass go and be put into Twitter jail. This means you lose all tweeting rights and capabilities for an hour.But , be not afraid young Twitter Jedis, you can still DM!FTW!! You just can not shut me up!
Last but not least, Be your true authentic self and have fun.Don’t be a Twitter snob. If you’re not there to make friends or network, to engage, then you should probably stay away from the Twitter party.

Alright, this is my hard earned knowledge that I have to share today about Twitter.Happy Birthday Twitter!I’ll give you your present later. And now that you have the power, I hope you will all join me at the Twitter party and I look forward to tweeting with you and getting to know you better:) Happy Tweeting! And if you do follow me, say hi @TruthfulMommy on Twitter so I know you are there!

Twitter

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2011/03/21 45 comments

Weight Loss

Nutrisystem Update~Week 19

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/21

written by Deborah Cruz

Good Morning! Why yes, yes it is! Why, you ask? Because I got on the scale and lost another 1.5 pounds bringing my grand total of weight lost on Nutrisystem to 20 pounds!WooWoot! I hate to say finally but that’s how I feel. That being said. I also feel really motivated.I feel like someone has hit the restart button on my weight loss button!

Since last week, I’ve been a lot more aware of what I am putting into my mouth. Trying to follow the guidelines and , for my own benefit, I have started to write down the calories of everything that is going into my mouth. Which is very helpful to me since I am a very visual person. Seeing everything written down, in front of me, helps me to stay the course on this journey.

Birds are singing and I can smell the smell of grass wafting through the air, spring is here! I’m looking forward to the fresh air work out that I will get walking around my neighborhood with the girls. Here’s hoping the rain stays away. But really, now I’m gunning for 30 pounds. A little rain will NOT deter me. It shouldn’t deter you either. Get out there and do a little singing in the rain. Life is Good!

Also, Don’t forget, Nutrisystem is running it’s lowest prices since 2003 but it won;t last forever. If you have been interested in giving it a try, NOW is the time!

Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689. There is no better time than the present to get started on your journey. Bathing suit season is right around the corner! Believe me, I bought one already. It’s adorable and I plan on getting a LOT of use out of it this summer!

2011/03/21 14 comments

Throat Punch Thursday

Throat Punch Thursday-New York State of Mind Edition

by Deborah Cruz 2011/03/17

written by Deborah Cruz

It’s getting down to the wire and I am so tired. I was up until 3 am last night trying to get my Project Mom Casting video to upload to You tube. At this moment, I’m typing with one eye open, texting with my other hand, and keeping up with my twitter tread (I’m beginning to think that I may have some sort of social media addiction.There may be a 12 step program in my immediate future.)I’ve had to think about this one for awhile. There has been a lot going on in the world this past week but I don’t think I have the strength tonight to give a roundhouse kick to nuclear reactors, deadly weather, or even all the doomsday prophets. But , fret not, I have someone that I think deserves a good swift kick in the head, punch to the throat and then maybe 1 more to the head.

I am referring to Nicole Imprescia, the mother who is suing the preschool that her daughter,Lucia, was enrolled in because she felt that they were educating her substandardly for the elite elementary schools of New York city and therefore ruining any hope of little Lucia ever attending an Ivy league university. Ms. Imprescia is demanding that her hefty $19,000 tuition be refunded since she was forced to remove her child from the school only after 3 weeks because the school had the audacity to let her 4 year old fraternize with lowly 2 and 3 year olds.

Look, I am not from New York City. I am from the Midwest. I’m not a bumpkin, we have waiting lists and qualifications too for the elite schools. In fact, my own daughter attends one of the most prestigious schools in our city. We were on one of those lists. Would I pay $19,000 for preschool? Not even if I had so much money that I were wiping my ass with $100s. It’s PRESCHOOL. It isn’t even the real thing yet. I know education is important. I work in the field. I’ve seen what dropping the educational ball can do to a child. Here’s my issue; parents you CAN work with your children outside of school to educate them. They are like little sponges.It actually takes more effort, on your part, to NOT teach them something.My problem is that, perhaps, Ms. Imprescia could have been a little more diligent in her exploration and selection process of a school for little Lucia before actually enrolling her. Had she simply, knowing her own daughter, taken into account what the school could offer or could not, perhaps she could have saved herself the $19,000. I don’t know the exact reasoning why this woman is suing the school. Blaming the school that her daughter may or may not gain entry into an Ivy League school at some distant time in the future seems to be reaching quite extensively. If she wants this to come to fruition, perhaps she should bring this suit in about 15 years when Lucia IS actually denied admission to some illusive Ivy League university.

As for now, I am positive that she signed some sort of paperwork stipulating that if she left the school of her own free will that she would forfeit the money.Apparently, she missed the boat on an elite preschool herself or she would have read the mound of paperwork that she signed in triplicate a little bit more closely. So,Mommy dearest, you get the throat punch for not reading your paperwork and getting mad and wanting to take your toys an go home.

But then again, these situations could not present themselves if we didn’t all fork out these ridiculous tuition fees. I think it has a lot more to do with mompetition and a lot less to do with believing that the wrong preschool is going to subtract valuable IQ points from our children.

2011/03/17 14 comments

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