#KhulkeboloWithMaa
I don’t know if any blogger has done this ever. I don’t know how it will affect my future but I do know I had to pen this down. I have a responsibility as an influencer and a blogger, so here spitting out a few facts about stuff you should know;
Are Packaged Goods Really Healthy?
There is no healthy replacement for a good, fresh, home cooked meal but can we really 100% of the time devote ourselves to the kitchen? And don’t the kids like a change in palette too? So it’s ok to feed your kid processed food once in a while but definitely can’t be in excess or complete replacement.
How To Find Out If A Cream/ Soap Or Shampoo Is Mild For Your Child?
No matter, what claims the company, bloggers or celebrities make about a product, when it comes to your kid’s skin don’t take chances. Invest in PH paper, something simple you might have used in your science classes and always test the product for its PH value. You can order this from Amazon.
Also, when you buy a product read the ingredients at the back. There is a comprehensive list roaming on the internet on what is safe and not safe for use in a kid’s products. Check that list. Also, remember some percentage of those ingredients will be required to bind the product or keep its structure in place. So then what to do? PH scale test is your answer and also reviews from the internet. Read up and ask other moms as well.
Menstrual Cup, Tampons Or Pads?
Padman made many aware of menstrual hygiene and it’s benefits. Yes, many women in India living in the rural space face menstrual hygiene issues but what about also educating women on the correct method and tool? So here it is unbiased, unpaid, and from having used all of these here is what I have to say. Sanitary Pads are uncomfortable but a cheaper alternative, plastic lining pads are bad for the environment and for your skin too.There is always a chance of stain. Yes, one of my largest viewed videos is about a sanitary napkin, with over 1 lakh views but that is when I used to use them. Tampons are better in terms of comfort, but have known to cause cancer in many cases in a long run. I don’t find these comfortable, there is always a feeling of some foreign body in your body. Again not good for the environment as it creates waste. Menstrual cup, is reusable so creates no wastage, once inserted you don’t feel it, no stains, leaks if inserted properly, safe for the skin and no chances of cancer. In the long run, it also turns out to be cheap. I made a video on this one but didn’t use it myself, I was still figuring out. I finally, moved to Menstrual cup four years back and never ever went back to pads. It has been a revelation and I urge all women to try it once.
Some statistics that may help you understand this better
So Why Do Bloggers Promote Certain Products And Do They Get Paid For It?
India has seen a whole sea change in blogging. While bloggers started out as the voice of the people and largely they still are, the brands found them as a source of advocacy marketing and started milking their credibility. Now this doesn’t mean that bloggers only talk what brands ask them to. They do this because as a medium to convey the brand message to their followers and they also get paid to do this. Yes, they get paid because every post, every review means time and effort. Taking pictures, writing content around it, running a website everything costs and to keep bringing you good content even when not paid they need to accept some sponsored posts. It is for you to identify and believe in a blogger’s credibility. Do they only talk when the brand asks them to? Do they have a voice of their own? Do they take a stand? These are questions you need to ask but also cut them a slack once in a while if they endorse a brand to keep running their website.
Is there a question you have been meaning to ask me as a mother or a blogger? Do comment below and I promise to write back to you. If I really like the question, I will feature your question in the next blog. Do let me know if you liked my candid post, it helps me write more :).
Signing off,
#KhulKeBoloWithMaa
Your answers are refreshingly honest and candid. I’d like to know how you say no to a brand to endorse a particular product you don’t like, while still maintaining a good relationship with the brand for the future?
If the brand doesn’t have a product I don’t support, I tell them upfront and why. Most good brands understand and those who don’t I can’t help. It’s a hit you have to take if you want to be genuine.
Interesting post, I have not yet switched to menstrual cups, despite knowing that this change would be great for me. Would see your video though
Must do Jhilmil, you will thank me :).
I too love home cooked food only but many times due to time i cant manage so sometimes i too prefer packed food for my kid.
Hi Neha,
Exactly, everything is good in moderation.
No we don’t really always speak about the good things that brands want us to say. We also talk about things that we genuinely dislike and let other moms know about that. You are true. It’s the audience’s discretion if they want to trust the blogger’s credibility.
Thanks Jhilmil, I agree I wanted to talk about this because I hear a lot from people on why bloggers should be paid at all?
This is wonderful a thought provoking post. Honestly I used the menstrual cups for a year before I was ready to talk about it to my audiences. It’s really important to believe in a product before sharing with the world.
That’s the best way to do things. Support what you believe.
I liked your candid post and thoughts you shared. Agree..blogging has undergone a sea change. One must know about the product to share about it and promote it too. Hope to see some change in this regards.
I can’t tell you how overwhelmed I am feeling right now. You have answered so many unasked questions that we always had in our minds. Thank you for this brilliant work.
Thanks Nisha, it means a lot when you say this.
That was powerful and honest! Every word of it is true! Packaged goods are not always good, cups are better than pads but a need a lot of figuring out how to use and bloggers do need to post a few sponsored posts to run their blogs!
It’s so good to read an honest post, Prerna. There are some insightful points above. I agree about not following bloggers or celebrities blindly and asking a few questions to check their claims.
Thanks Purva.
That’s a interesting post. I agree with your points I always share honest opinion what i feel about the product.
Every genuine blogger must :). So glad you do the same.
I agree with the fact that we should check everything before buying anything. And bloggers are a medium for brands to convey their message to the people around the world.
True that.
Amazing topic and as a mom and a blogger I keep getting these questions… Discussion helps a lot. Lemme think of some questions that I can ask to fellow bloggers and moms like you.
Thanks Shubhs, as bloggers we need to pick these topics and speak honestly about them.