In our first ever guest post from across the pond, Janie Emaus, tells us why baby boomers make the best bloggers, and how America's generation of 'mommy bloggers' had better watch out...
Janie Emaus won't be giving up the internet any time soon...
It's the 21st century and millions of grandparents are now retiring and becoming grandparents - and baby boomers are blogging!
Yes, believe it or not (and despite the stereotypes) those of us over fifty really are computer savvy. We may not have grown up with cell phones or laptops, but as the media portrays, we learn quickly.
Today in the United States, we are quickly catching up to the mommy bloggers. Granted, they still have a larger fraction of the online population (which I attribute to their coming of age with this technology) but we baby boomers have a large advantage: more experience, thus more topics to blog about.
And blog we do!
On everything from sex (Yes! We still do it!) to anti-aging miracle creams (when one exists, I’ll be the first to let you know). We blog about how to survive the empty nest, how to increase brain power, hot flashes, the hottest spots to visit, retirement, grandparenting, living with disabilities, relocating, second chances, books, death, love. In other words, we blog about LIFE.
And we blog for a number of reasons.
To educate: Walker Thornton says, "I began to see a need for serious conversation about sex, menopause and dating geared to boomer adults. I think our demographic is hungry for information that is written specifically for our needs, is age-appropriate, matter-of-fact and educational."
For me, at any given time I can log on and find a friend with whom to share my thoughts. It makes me feel comfortable knowing that as I grow into old age, I'll always have someone to communicate with.
For self expression: Linda Wolfe eloquently explains, "Having something for me after all those years of putting myself at the bottom of the list, as many mothers do, and having a voice that could be heard beyond the confines of home or century and millions of baby boomers are now retiring, playground felt incredible."
To share: Being a novelist, one of my favourite blogs is Books is Wonderful. In Helene Bludman’s words, "I started blogging as a prelude to writing a book. I came to enjoy expressing my thoughts and sharing them with others by way of my blog. Because I am a book lover, I decided to make book reviews part of my blog as well."
To empower: Many of us feel the same as Cathy Chester. "I want to leave this world knowing that I made a mark on someone else's heart."
Let's be clear we have no intention of leaving the internet any time soon. In fact, after moving my mother into a retirement village this past year, I realise even more than ever, the importance of blogging and my online friends. My mother's friendships are limited to those around her. As she grows older, her circle of friends grows smaller.
For me, at any given time I can log on and find a friend with whom to share my thoughts. It makes me feel comfortable knowing that as I grow into old age, I'll always have someone to communicate with. I'm not sure how that communication will exist. Probably not by blog or vlog. But by a medium not yet invented. Something currently inside the head of a preschooler who loves taking apart his mother's iPhone!"
Read more from Janie on her blog.
By Janie Emaus
Twitter: @janie5010
I've never blogged (I'm not that interesting) but I communicate via Gransnet, Facebook etc. all the time. If I can do it, anyone can. I always thought I was a Baby Boomer, thanks for confirming it Starling. 
I'm not a baby boomer! Fantastic! They don't mean me.
Nor me
I'm too old 
Or jing for that matter
I thought you'd appreciate the irony
Love you all!!
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