Offbeat Bride | Coming soon from the Offbeat Empire: offbeatmama.com

offbeat mama sketches by ellen forney So, remember a few months ago when I announced my pregnancy? And pre-answered everyone's question by saying yes: I'd already registered offbeatmama.com, but wasn't sure I was going to do anything with it?

Well, guess what? I AM DOING SOMETHING WITH IT. With the help of a woman you're going to love named Erika, Offbeat Mama will be launching in about a month, and I need your help…

Since I'm not actually a mother yet (have I mentioned we're having a boy, due around December 1st?), Offbeat Mama is going to be way more about YOUR voices. This is both exciting and a little bit scary — I hope y'all have a lot to say! Here's what we're looking for:

If you're a writer or blogger, I'd love you to read the mission statement and submit a guest post. Or two. Or three!
If you're a photographer who has maternity shots of nontraditional mamas, badass baby photos, or caters to alternative family portraits, I'd love to feature your work. If you're on flickr, you can upload your photos to the Offbeat Mama pool. If you're not, you can submit your stuff using the form over here.
And if you're a indie business owner who sells stuff like maternity clothes that don't suck, gender-neutral baby onesies, toys made from stuff other than Chinese plastic, skull-emblazoned cotton diapers, or other cool shit, get in touch so that I can get you in on the introductory ad rates.

One point of clarification: Offbeat Mama will NOT have a forum/Ning community like the OBT. If I've learned anything from my 15 years of using the web, it's that forums + parenting issues = drama, so Offbeat Mama will be a blog only.

Obviously, Offbeat Bride and Offbeat Mama will be very separate sites, so OBBs don't need to worry about their hardcore wedding porn getting watered down with offbeat family-friendly posts. But if you're thinking ZOMG YES I CAN'T WAAAAIT, you can keep up with Offbeat Mama pre-launch by following us on twitter or facebook.

Mostly, can I just tell you how excited I am about launching a site dedicated to alternative moms?!

Comments (41)

On August 31st, 2009 at 7:25 PM
Kristi said

yes yes yes!! i am so excited!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Whitney said

Awesome-just stumbled on your web site tonight and I love it! keep on rocking it!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Amy said

heyyy girl. I am not a mama (or even a bride!) but there is a website I really like called http://ecochildsplay.com/ that is offbeat and all about giving children a more natural upbringing!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Christine said

Perfect timing!!!!! I just got married and was a OBB member, and now we're trying to have a baby! I'm so excited!!!!!!!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 8:42 PM
Jax said

I'm excited about offbeatmama and one day having a baby…but just like my engagement all things come in time. Keep up the good work Ariel!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 8:43 PM
Claire said

We're not planning on having a baby for a couple of years, but as soon as we do you can be damn sure I'll be signing up for offbeat mama! Thanks Ariel for all your wonderful offbeatness!

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- On August 31st, 2009 at 9:12 PM
  OffbeatAriel said
  
  Great to hear, Claire! One thing to note is that there won't be any "signing up" for Offbeat Mama — unlike Offbeat Bride, there won't be a forum component. If I've learned anything from my time online, it's that online forums + parenting = HUGE AMOUNTS OF DRAMA, and Offbeat Mama is all about low drama.
  
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  - On August 31st, 2009 at 9:56 PM
    Jessica Lopez said
    
    I don't blame you. Parenting can be drama as it is. The mommy site I'm currently into right now has nothing but. The minute you give an opinion or write how your feeling 5 more moms are criticizing you and turning it into something waaaaaaay more than you expected. I go on there to relax, not have high school petty b.s. thrown in my face….. so in advance. Thank you.
    
    Reply to this comment
On August 31st, 2009 at 8:53 PM
Kristen said

Babies are a long way down the road for me, but i will be following this religiously!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 10:31 PM
Lindy said

Awesome! I'm expecting in March, so this is perfect!

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On August 31st, 2009 at 11:37 PM
sara said

yay so excited!!! This is so needed and I will tell everyone I know to look for it!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Michelle said

I am most definitely not an offbeatmama, but I absolutely adore this:
http://pacingthepanicroom.blogspot.com/search/lab…

The woman has already given birth, but essentially, her husband decided to take a picture of her every week during her pregnancy. I thought it was so cool when I found the site!

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- On September 1st, 2009 at 1:13 AM
  OffbeatAriel said
  
  Wow, I LOVE the series — but am a little weirded out by it being sponsored by American Apparel.
  
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On September 1st, 2009 at 12:41 AM
amber said

Cannot wait for the site to launch! I've followed your work for a while now (found your personal site through a raver picture search, lol, wandered over the OBB to read all the amazing content, got engaged and joined the forums….now I have a baby and am terribly excited for OBM).

I will most definitely submit photos and content as I am obsessed with taking beautiful pictures of my little girl with a new DSLR…and I write a "mommyblog".

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On September 1st, 2009 at 1:48 AM
Meg said

YEAH! I'm all about seeing the cool communities I've seen grow in the wedding section of the web grow into other/older parts of womens lives. So, h*ll yes.

Also? You know I've been all excited about steampunk babies (which ps, I saw at maker faire, and was trying to chase around and photograph for the eventual offbeat mama, but that was just too creepy.) So. Seriously. Steampunk babies.

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On September 1st, 2009 at 2:20 AM
Michelle Gulick said

Well, I put in my two cents in the form of a potential "Getting It Out" guest blog. I have about a MILLION funny pregnancy stories if you ever have a place for them

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On September 1st, 2009 at 2:58 AM
Vanessa said

I have a 2yr old boy (im only 20) and i love i offbeat bride (cos im not the only one that wants a "diffrent fun outthere" wedding) and offbeat mama sounds great. as its somting i can helpfully contribute to..

p.s check out the babyclothes on rockyourbaby.com

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On September 1st, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Jamie said

Will step-moms be welcome and addressed on the new site? I am a step-mom to a wonderful little boy and I know there are other women on here are in the same boat.

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On September 1st, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Cat said

I have got to tell my best friend about this! She's due in January, and just as "weird" as I am!!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Brandi said

Okay, so I am not a bride… And I am not a Mama… I am just off beat. I read this wed-site everyday because of the awesome art, creative DIY and sexy photography…. Plus the general positive vibe of life, in current creation. I am so excited to see the new site.

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On September 1st, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Jenifer said

I totally support this. Does your offbeat baby have to be human or can my kitty cats count??

I also support the lack of forums as parenting discussions seem to bring the momma bear out QUICKLY!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Sara Blake said

I second both Michelle (on the awesomeness of pacing the panic room) and Brandi (on the love of OBB despite not being about to become an OBB or OBM). And I just wanted to say I am so psyched for the new site. I think you are really great at these things you do Ariel. Thank you for your awesome sites!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 6:16 PM
Cheryl Friedman said

I just want to say thanks for getting this started! It looks fantastic! I'd just suggest being careful about treating fathers specially, I'm glad that you're including them, but I think it's even more of a statement to not differentiate them from the offbeat mama's.

Again, thanks for the site, I've been off of my birth control and effectively 'trying' to get pregnant for the past few months. it hasn't happened yet, but I trust that it will when the time is right. ('trying' because i'm attempting to not get obsessive about counting cycle days and taking my temperature and just letting it happen)

CONGRATS on your own pregnancy! That rocks!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 7:31 PM
alice said

SUPER exciting!!! I will be sure to send you my 'Getting it out' story as soon as he gets out…. which should be any day now!
May the rest of your pregnancy be filled with restful sleep and may you be spared belly rubs from strangers.

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On September 1st, 2009 at 7:58 PM
Megan Powloka said

Oh my god me too! I simple can not wait, I have tons to add!

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On September 1st, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Beth said

I'm already an offbeat Mama who is going to be an offbeat bride – look forward to your new venture! xx

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On September 2nd, 2009 at 2:36 AM
Sabrina said

I am so excited about this, no baby on the way but i read OBB a long time before I got married, and always found it right on target, and i bet this will be just as cool! Can't wait to see another awesome site from you – thanks and all the best for your pregnancy and birth

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On September 2nd, 2009 at 6:58 PM
rosie said

I too, am already an Offbeat Mama, about to be an Offbeat Bride! I love this site (yes, and the book, too), which is proving to be suuuper helpful and useful in my wedding planning, so I'm doing happy dances for the Offbeat Mama site too.

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On September 3rd, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Holly said

Yeessss!!! I've been waiting for this!

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On September 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 AM
Lani said

Yay! I am pregnant and on my way to being an offbeat momma! Perfect timing. I'm due in April. I hope the site is up by then! I hope there is a soon-to-be-offbeat momma section!!

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- On September 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 PM
  OffbeatAriel said
  
  The site is launching in less than a month!
  
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On September 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Noelle said

well I know where I go the second FH and I start TTC! now I'm even more excited about kids coming into my life because I'll have somewhere awesome to be for help and humor through all of it!

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On September 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 PM
Melissa Maguire said

What about all the wannabe offbeat mamas??? Is there room amongst the offbeat mamas for all the wannabe offbeat mamas to have a featured topic occassionally?? or at least a category in the ning forums? All good and well becoming an offbeat mama but getting there is only 3/4 of the story!!!
Would love to see some featured stories on wannabe mamas too and support for those trying.

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- On September 3rd, 2009 at 1:43 PM
  OffbeatAriel said
  
  Absolutely pre-conception stories will be part of the site!
  
  That said, I want to clarify that there will be no forum/ning community for Offbeat Mama. In other words, it'll be like offbeatbride.com — NOT offbeatbride.ning.com. Moderating a forum is a massive emotional and time drain, and more importantly parenting forums are very, very difficult to keep drama-free — and Offbeat Mama ain't got TIME for no drama!
  
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On September 4th, 2009 at 2:13 AM
rebecca said

Finally, I might find some other parents to connect with, thank you!!
Rebecca

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On September 5th, 2009 at 6:56 AM
Zoria said

That is soooooooo great!!!

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On September 8th, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Shyla said

Perfect timing! I'm expecting in Feb. and me and the hubby have been seeking out the kind of clothes, and bedroom accessories we want the baby to grow up with. it's been surprisingly difficult and I was starting to feel a little alone and then bam! Other Mom's like me have a place to go. Thank you for that.

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On September 8th, 2009 at 11:16 PM
HunnyDu said

I cant wait! Im so over reading traditional mommy websites…

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On September 9th, 2009 at 5:42 PM
MargaretJ said

Can't wait! OBB is so positive, and I'm looking forward to that being part of off beat mama! yay!!
I have a two year old son, and we are trying again, so the timing is perfect.

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On September 11th, 2009 at 9:49 PM
Erika said

My husband and I are discussing starting a family at some point in the next year, so I am super excited about the new blog!

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On September 20th, 2009 at 1:48 AM
Zoe said

Can't wait to see it! Check out belly casts! http://www.proudbody.com/ is just one awesome website….

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