Nirasha Jaganath (aka Mommy Niri), a mom to 2 little girls, exchanged her rat race life as a software engineer for her rug rats. Having had a love for journalism forever but not daring to pursue it in the turbulent South Africa (where she was born and bred), she is now writing to her heart’s content from her current hometown of Boston. You can also find her writing at Retrevo.com (as a parenting angle on technology) and MomsOfHue.com (featuring women of color) and has worked with companies like Hooked On Phonics, iRobot and Disney. She has been featured in several newspapers including Parent's And Kids Magazine. You can find her speaking at the upcoming Blogalicious conference. Her writing has gained her popularity as Mommy Niri has been nominated for the Nickelodeon Parent's Pick Award.She doesn’t do anything she isn’t passionate about (except maybe diapers)!

Why did you decide to quit your job and become a stay at home mom?

I had always decided that after becoming a mom I would play it by ear and see how I felt. I did go back to work for a while but felt that the fast-paced, late nights and lifestyle were not conducive to a nursing mama. I also felt that I was doing two jobs badly so decided to do one job badly (lol, I mean better). Part time work was offered but I did not feel that it was worth the stress.

Was it a hard transition?

It was the most difficult change in my life. I still remember the first day, it was halloween that I was home and I called Ramesh a gazillion times at work. The non adult time was scary and being at the beck and call of an infant, who I might add did not know how to stop crying.

Why did you take to blogging?

It was a a bet! I wanted a Flip Video camera and my husband said I should maybe blog (he knew I could write well) then buy it. I resented anyone telling me what or when I could buy it so I bought it. Then I felt guilty so I just started writing about my day. I once wrote a post on What Not to Say To A SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) and it drew so much attention that it shocked me that people all over read my blog.

Do you feel odd sharing your personal life in such a  public way?

I try to be careful as to what I share. I try to keep details of my children private that they would feel embarrassed looking at if they were older, but I focus on common issues that other parents may have so they don't feel alone. Revealing only aspects of my life I am comfortable with is a tough balance, and one that is still a work in progress.
 
What has been the greatest reward of the blogging experience?

That's a tough one as there has been so many, from a breakfast with Sarah Ferguson, to being part of the Disney/Pixar UP movie's media effort to be up in the air on an armchair, to meeting the creator Angela Santomero of Super Why, or speaking to celebrities of from Saving Grace and Raising The Bar, to being nominated for the Nickelodeon Parent's Pick Award, or recently meeting Carson Kressley at a Nikon Party, there are too many to name all but I guess enough reasons as to why I barely sleep.

How did you get to meet so many important people? Was it only through them reading your blog?

The power of blogs and how much it affects choices is really being addressed. All of those events were planned by companies itself or PR companies for the companies. They hope that we would write about the companies/experience (in a positive light I expect) and also to share with our readers. Like the meeting with Sarah Ferguson was with done by the producers of the Today's Show (both of whom I also met) as they were launching a book, Carson Kressley was during a Nikon party, etc.Similarly Ford recently took us for a day to tour their plant, and covered all expenses.

People trust fellow moms and brands finally recognize that. The amount of PR pitches I get in a day is amazing. Of course all of this is much more work than it appears.

What advice do you have for first time bloggers?

Just do it. You can learn as you go but be you. Too hard to keep up being someone else so just be you. Write a post (they make it really easy to do so) and you will be hooked. There is no right or wrong thing to write, and that is the beauty of it. Nothing more wonderful than bumping into people and they say they read your blog. Life is too short for what ifs.

What do think is the wave of the future - Twitter, Facebook or??...

Love it and live on it. I guess I should not  be one to talk on all social media tools since I am addicted. The amount of companies at the recent BlogHer (where I was sponsored) clearly shows that this is where the new energy is. With the economy being what it is tv or print advertising is so expensive so dealing with bloggers (especially mommy bloggers) is much cheaper.

What is in the near future for Mommy Niri

I am on a big project with iRobot which launches next week where the prize is a iRobot product and $10,000 to charity (through a school) which is very exciting. Also next week will see the launch of videos. I will be live hosting a show through Snazl where each week I speak on various topics. Stay tuned to my blog for details. Hmm, did I mention that my blog has contests for the most fabulous prizes?


Thanks so much

Thank you

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