Hillary Chybinski: Blogging and Authenticity

Wednesday, May 08, 2013

Blogging and Authenticity

Laptop Keyboard - Blogging and Authenticity via My Scraps

authenticity - adj. - of undisputed origin, genuine

You may or may not know that in my previous life, I was an Internal Auditor. I was held to a professional Code of Ethics and was responsible for ensuring the Companies I worked for "towed the line" and were in compliance with accounting and regulatory requirements. Our writing had to be factual with opinions and conclusions, clearly identified as such.

So after doing that for 20 years, it's hard to "turn off" . . . thus I feel as if I have always been authentic here on my blog, with you my readers and followers. I promise I will never say I like something if I don't. I may write about it - and if I was paid to write about it - I may point out it's good qualities to you and let you make your own decisions. But I promise that every word I write here is the truth, or what I believe to be the truth.

Which brings me to the point of today's post. . .authenticity . . .and have I breached mine.

You may or may not know that I am a Breastfeeding Advocate. I volunteer and tweet for The Breastfeeding Resource Center in Abington, PA.  I believe in their mission 100% and have seen what a wonderful service they provide to the community. I breastfed my own kids for a total of 5 years between the two of them. Yesterday, I attended an event in NYC that was sponsored (I'm assuming paid for) by Similac (yes - the formula company).

The agenda was NOT about formula vs. breast. The agenda was about Strong Moms Empower. About being confident in the choices we make for our families. (homeschooling, discipline, TV, chicken nuggets, etc.) When I responded to the invitation - I did not realize it was sponsored by Similac. I found out the day before, after my plans had been made.

I contemplated cancelling. . .truth be told, it made me feel "dirty". But the speaker list was amazing (two of my favorites - Danielle Smith and Dr. Michele Borba) and I was curious about their messaging. . .would there be subliminal messages about giving your baby formula?

So I went. . .I was not paid, they did not pay for my travel. I was fed a lovely lunch and given a bracelet as were all the attendees.  I was not advised to give my baby formula. I was not required or asked to write about the event. I know that Similac was said to have co-opted messaging from Best for Babes. Of course, that is wrong . . .taking someone's words and using them for your own is wrong. We learned that in grade school.

And I also agree with those of you that tweeted me that we don't need a "Big Pharma" company to tell us how to be empowered . . .and you know what, you are right - some of us don't. But clearly, not all of us are empowered to do what we think is best for our families. Empowered or not, we are met with criticism and judgement at every turn, some of it meets the definition of bullying. So the messages and ideas presented by moms, Doctors and writers. . .were good ones. They were positive. They were encouraging. So while I am glad I went, I am still wrestling with whether I "should" have gone.

Funny - that's the same message we got at the event. Be confident in your choices. But sometimes. . .that is easier said than done, no matter how strong we may believe we are.

So if some of you are upset with me for going . . .I apologize. My belief in breastfeeding has not changed. I have not changed my mind about Similac's marketing practices. But I had the opportunity to hear some great advice on being a better mom and a better woman. Advice from professionals on how to support my friends, and strangers alike and how to identify my own judgements of other women and other moms.

And to me . . .that seems pretty authentic.

catch you soon -


13 comments:

  1. I get how much this must have been eating at you yesterday. In this space (especially lately) you never know what someone will jump all over you for, but knowing you well I would NEVER hold that against you!

    I think it brings up a good point, though. Since when does attending an event sponsored by a certain brand mean that everyone will become an instant convert? The brands know this is not the case, so why should anyone else?

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    1. Thanks for your support Jessica . . . I've watched this happening in other spaces recently. . .and truth be told, I worried yesterday about the messaging - wondering if I should leave. . .but it turns out I didn't have to - they didn't want me to say anything about feeding babies - and empowering moms and women is something I can get behind.

      Hillary

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  2. You didn't put your beliefs on hold tho.. thats whats important. Being an advocate for a cause also means listening to other messages. Doesn't mean you have to tout them or help promote them, but you can listen to what they are saying...

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    1. Thanks - I do try to be open minded . . .but sometimes. . .lol

      Hillary

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  3. I got an email from Similac after attending a blogging conference that covered this same topic: empowering other mother's choices. It felt icky to me too and I have fed all of my children formula. I also think that supplementing with formula allowed me to pump until my youngest was six months old--something I'd never been able to do before.

    And I do so support the idea--I guess I can't help but look a little side-eyed when a big company suggests something, anything.

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    1. Interesting Katy . . .big corps are really only interested in selling product and making money. . .for the most part - there ARE exceptions. . .and I tend to be skeptical about most things anyway - LOL

      Hillary

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  4. this is an excellent discussion. I understand and sympathize with your struggle. You see, I personally don't believe formula companies should market their products. At all. They should be sold as supplements if breastfeeding cannot work. But Similac goes pretty far and I just have no respect for them.

    This was a PR move and I admire you for going. I respect you for sharing this post. I know you are intelligent and saw this for what it was. No it wasn't for them to sell their formula, but it was to hopefully make you and the other bloggers feel all good and happy the next time you see their brand name.

    I know you realize this....I'm totally preaching to the choir here....Just letting you know that I still respect you and will never doubt your authenticity :)

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    1. Thanks Annie - it seems to be coming up more and more in this space . . .thinking about things and asking questions is always good . . .open discussion and debate - also a good thing. Whether I (or someone else) chooses formula is besides the point - it's a choice, and in America we have the right to do that . . .but giving woman ideas on how to feel good about the choices they make for their families - that's good stuff - regardless of who it comes from. And these were professionals that spoke - not one company spokesperson or employee.

      Hillary

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  5. I didn't realize Similac sponsored that event. Very interesting. I think it took guts to write this post, and I commend you for doing it. A lot of times, these events are not cut and dry. It's hard to know the right thing to do. I hate GMOs and support labeling, but i attended an event at Nemours, owned by DuPont, who has poured millions of dollars into the campaign to beat the labeling campaign. Am I a shill? I dunno. It's a hard call sometimes. Cuz if my kids ever need treatment at duPont hospital? You bet i would take advantage of their stellar care. Anyway, to my point, sometimes these events and our involvement in them are not clear cut, but as long as you know your position and don't compromise that by sending an alternative message, I say you're doing okay. :-)

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    1. Thank you - that means a lot to me. It is hard to know sometimes. . .and as we realize, these corporations have agendas . . .mostly not in the best public interest, but in their own interest. . .so sometimes it's a slippery slope. =)

      Hillary

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  6. I think the best that you can do is EXACTLY what you did and that is be open. This blog is your space for your thoughts and your observations and your perspective. Having someone that is a breastfeeding advocate attend an event sponsored by a formula company is actually a good thing - checks and balances, baby!

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    1. Thanks Dresden - I admit I was curious about their messaging . . .and I TOTALLY agree with the woman that tweeted me that "we don't need a big corporation to tell us what to think" . . .but maybe some women do. . .so maybe there is no harm no foul . . .

      Hillary

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  7. Great post. I like how you approached the subject. I too was with you and did not realize the sponsor til the evening before. I discussed it as well on my blog it is interesting the point of very we both took. I think you are fine, and authentic as always. It does bring up a discussion.

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