Ever feel like raising children is, yes, wonderful, but also kind of terrible sometimes? You'd never know anyone else feels the same way, to read most parenting publications. They're chock full of how-blissed-out-am-I-now-that-I-have-this-adorable-baby blatherings. Recipes for low-fat chicken fingers. "Best Birthday Party Ever!" decorating ideas. How to make play dough at home. Useless parenting advice for the clueless. Austinmama is a welcome antidote to all that marching in Supermommy lockstep, offering a look at the childrearing experience (and, duh, the rest of your life, too) that's a little more grounded in the truth, and far more interesting to read. Each week's austinmama.com features at least two essayists (many of whom are the Chronicle's former finest ), such as Spike Gillespie, Adrienne Martini, Robin Bradford, and Penny Van Horn. Male voices — Stephen J. Lyons and Michael Nabert — add to the mix. Need a new mama friend (who doesn't)? Find one on the message boards or in Yahoo! groups and head out for the new, weekly gathering of mamas at Ruta Maya. And yes, there are recipes, but for stuff like Persian Noodle Soup and Fettucine With Garlic Shrimp and Basil Mint Pesto. It's all put together under the critical eye of mama and Salon.com alumna Kim Lane.
