The blogging platform Tumblr opens up a world of opportunities for communities to represent themselves as individuals, but meets as a whole on specific points.

Many Tumblrs are made by high school or college-aged students blogging about the woes of school, growing up and all sorts of media.

But one of the more interesting blogging communities are the “Mumblrs.”

Mumblrs are mom blogs. These blogs chronicle everything from pregnancy to the terrible twos. Mom blogs give insight into 21st century motherhood and show viewers the mother as an individual and as a parent.

There is an openness and intimacy with blogging, and Mumblrs use that to the fullest advantage.

Mothers express themselves reblogging or posting things that relate to them — without relation to their child — and just as easily incorporate their own challenges as mothers. Many write of their faults as parents, lessons they’ve learned, tricks they mastered and their love for their children.

There is this ever-growing push to correct the misrepresented cultures, beliefs and peoples in our society, and blogs give us distinct individual experiences to follow. Mothers are one of those misrepresented peoples, and Mumblrs help clarify and introduce many notions of motherhood.

Mumblrs fight the popular stereotypes about young, stay-at-home and working mothers. By blogging about their personal and family lives, they allow people to get up close with their constantly changing and unique lives.

Mumblrs show that even with children, you don’t have everything figured out. You learn everyday, whether it be with an explosive diaper or a nap filled trip to the beach. You struggle and seek help, just like anyone else.

But you also celebrate the little things like an averted tantrum or a moment alone in the bathroom. These blogs are more than relatable, because they catalog the same emotions and thoughts that everyone feels.

A mom blog I follow, Footfirst, chronicles the adventures of Canada native Nicole, who has 2-year-old and 3-month-old daughters. She provides photos and videos with most of her post, allowing her followers to see not only her personal moments and interest, but also the time spent with her girls. Through her blog, I have had the chance to see glimpses of Vancouver, biking culture and the life of modern stay-at-home mom.

Even as a college student who may not have kids — and may not have them for a while — Mumblrs are still worth the follow. You get an inside look on this life that has changed in its looks and method, but hasn’t changed in its heart. You get to watch the lives of everyday people unfold, in ways similar to yours but with a cute little person attached. You have a first-hand source on a different way of living — no misrepresentation or false claims.

There are always possibilities to learn more about yourself and the views you’ll take later on in your life, and Mumblrs are one such way to do so.

Paula Kaledzi is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected]