Policies & Privacy

Manic Mommies Media, Inc. is a new media venture dedicated to helping moms manage the chaotic combination of work and family. This support comes through a variety of mediums including, but not limited to:

• Weekly audio podcast
• Blog/Web site
• E-mail newsletter
• Social networks (eg Facebook)

When we refer to the “Manic Mommies” we are talking about Erin Kane and Kristin Brandt. Many people qualify as manic mommies, but we’re the ones with the fancy “®.”

What do we write or talk about?
It’s more a question about what we won’t write or talk about!

Our main focus is our families, our relationships, our children and our challenges as we balance work and family. Erin writes regularly about fashion, food and decorating, while Kristin enjoys video games, science fiction and cartoons.

As bloggers for RealSimple.com, the Manic Mommies also write on a weekly basis about technology and how it impacts our lives, both professionally and personally.

Why have policies?
Because we’re moms, and moms like rules. Plus, we wanted to provide our audience, and potential partners, with the editorial guidelines we follow when creating any content for, or about, Manic Mommies.

• Tell the truth. Mom always said tell the truth (and don’t pay ball in the house). In everything we do, the Manic Mommies will remain truthful and will never knowingly misrepresent any person, product or services.
• Admit to mistakes. If we do make a mistake, we encourage our audience to bring it to our attention by sending an e-mail to comments[at]manicmommies  [dot] com. We will, to the best of our ability, correct the error or communicate a correction utilizing the appropriate means at the time.
• Don’t steal. The Manic Mommies will create original content and will never plagiarize (because not only is plagiarism wrong, our high school English teachers would kill us!). If we reference materials created by others, or use quotes, we will give appropriate credit. If you send us material (eg photo, comment, text, video or voicemail) we assume we have permission to use it without further permission, unless you tell us otherwise.
• Follow the rules. The Manic Mommies will not break the law. We don’t even like getting parking tickets! So, we will not violate trademarks, copyrights . . . you get the idea.
• We’re not experts. What we say, or write, as a part of Manic Mommies and other related publications is the opinion of Erin and/or Kristin and not of the entity known as Manic Mommies Media, Inc. When appropriate we do research our topic, but we still may not know the whole story. So, you should consult with someone who actually knows what they are talking about before acting (or not acting) on any information or opinion we’ve presented.
• Protect (everyone else’s) privacy. We’ll use the names of our husbands, kids, show guests and sponsors. If we do use the names of listeners (as in reading an e-mail) we will use, at most, first name and hometown, unless instructed otherwise. Otherwise we will do our best to protect the privacy of our friends, neighbors and others by limiting the use of names and other identifying information. We encourage our audience to do the same when leaving a comment or voicemail
• No potty mouth. We consider Manic Mommies to be rated PG, with some episodes and blog posts slipping into the PG-13 range. This self-imposed rating is based on use of slightly naughty language and potential adult themes. We will do our best to keep it clean, and will provide proper warning if we discuss themes we consider only appropriate for adults.
• We ask you to do the same. While comments are encouraged, we ask that you refrain from using profane or off-color language; and that you keep the comments constructive in nature. Comments containing unsavory language, or which are considered inflammatory or off-topic, will not be published.
• Don’t forget the golden rule! When all else fails, we’ll fall back on the golden rule – “”Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

“Take Down” policy
If you find material on any Manic Mommies controlled property that you believe belongs to you, and for which you have not given permission to use, please send an e-mail to comments[at]manicmommies[dot]com with the URL of the item; an explanation of why it should be removed; and a statement that you are the owner and authorized to request removal of this item. Don’t forget your contact information!

We will contact you as soon as possible to discuss the request. Unless we can come to an agreement for use of the item in question, the item will be removed as soon as possible.

Advertising policies
Advertisers help pay the bills and keep the lights on at Manic Mommies Media, Inc. Of course we do need to have some rules related to advertising and advertisers, right?

• Advertisers are accepted solely at the discretion on the Manic Mommies. Our goal is to work with sponsors who support the values of the Manic Mommies and provide added value to our audience, and does not conflict with current advertisers.
• The Manic Mommies will accept funding for travel and accommodations to ensure our attendance at events. Acceptance of this funding does not ensure the Manic Mommies will publish any content related to the event. If we do choose to publish content as a result of the event, the funding will be disclosed.
• Content from sponsors may be presented to the Manic Mommies audience through the use of clearly disclosed “Sponsor spotlights”; sponsor news and sponsor Q&As.
• Our listeners and readers should get lots and lots of gifts! We are happy to accept contributions of items to be distributed as the Manic Mommies see fit. Giveaways should provide added value to our audience, and are accepted at the discretion of the Manic Mommies.

About contests
As we said, we believe our listeners and readers should get lots and lots of gifts! We regularly run contests through our web site and podcast.

• No purchase is necessary to participate in contests.
• Winners must live in the continental United States unless otherwise stated.
• Winners will be notified by e-mail. If prize is not acknowledged within one month of notification, the Manic Mommies reserve the right to reassign the prize.
• Employees and immediate relatives of the Manic Mommies are not eligible to receive prizes.