The EWWW Factor.
When I started blogging, I had no readers, so I had no worries about who was reading my blog, and looking at my children's pictures, etc.
Then, as my readers and contacts grew, it became a little disconcerting to find yourself linked through another person's blog, albeit slightly flattering.
When my friends from Iceland kept coming back daily, I made my blog private, and intended to stay that way.
However the twins stirred up such a ruckus, that I eventually went public so people could bask in their cuteness.
And forgot about it.
(Although I have 3 tracking devices so I can monitor who comes and what they read)
Then I had a few things that happened that made my skin crawl.
~People seeing us at the store and exclaiming, "I'm so glad you didn't move to Tampa!" OR
Then, as my readers and contacts grew, it became a little disconcerting to find yourself linked through another person's blog, albeit slightly flattering.
When my friends from Iceland kept coming back daily, I made my blog private, and intended to stay that way.
However the twins stirred up such a ruckus, that I eventually went public so people could bask in their cuteness.
And forgot about it.
(Although I have 3 tracking devices so I can monitor who comes and what they read)
Then I had a few things that happened that made my skin crawl.
~People seeing us at the store and exclaiming, "I'm so glad you didn't move to Tampa!" OR
"I would know those twins anywhere!"
Granted, most folks are normal, law abiding adoptive families that like us.
But some folks aren't.
And it brings out the EEEWWWW in me and makes me wanna never blog again.
Ever.
And it got me to thinking, that people read my blog and don't know me, and can form any type of assumptions about the 5% of my REAL LIFE that I portray on my blog.
And believe it or not, some people do just that.
Think they know what kind of parent you are by your writings.
Assess your marriage, your family, your faith and your values.
All by the little quippy stories you jot down.
It seems crazy, right? That people would make such sweeping judgements based on a BLOG of all things..
Until it happens to you.
And I have spent the last few days trying to decide "why" I blog and whether I want to continue blogging at all.
"Ummm... excuse me, do I even KNOW you?"
Nope, but you read my blog, so you FEEL like you know me.Granted, most folks are normal, law abiding adoptive families that like us.
But some folks aren't.
And it brings out the EEEWWWW in me and makes me wanna never blog again.
Ever.
And it got me to thinking, that people read my blog and don't know me, and can form any type of assumptions about the 5% of my REAL LIFE that I portray on my blog.
And believe it or not, some people do just that.
Think they know what kind of parent you are by your writings.
Assess your marriage, your family, your faith and your values.
All by the little quippy stories you jot down.
It seems crazy, right? That people would make such sweeping judgements based on a BLOG of all things..
Until it happens to you.
And I have spent the last few days trying to decide "why" I blog and whether I want to continue blogging at all.
I (obviously) made my blog private again, and I have no intention of allowing a person to read my blog unless I know them.
Because, I have come to the conclusion that I blog for family and for friends, and I blog for ways to capture memories of my children.
But I also blog for me.
Because, I have come to the conclusion that I blog for family and for friends, and I blog for ways to capture memories of my children.
But I also blog for me.
Which actually surprised me.
Sometimes, I need an outlet to write down the trials of having 4 little ones, and 2 special needs kids.
And my blog allows me to do that. I NEED to do that.
Privately.
With people who KNOW I'm joking when I say I'm hiding in a closet so the kids won't find me.
So here we are.
Sometimes, I need an outlet to write down the trials of having 4 little ones, and 2 special needs kids.
And my blog allows me to do that. I NEED to do that.
Privately.
With people who KNOW I'm joking when I say I'm hiding in a closet so the kids won't find me.
So here we are.
And I'm more relaxed about it all.
Isn't it cozy??
I know the EWWWW factor well. When S. came home (at a time when there were so few boys), we got recognized everywhere. People calling his name from across PARKING LOTS! It really did give me the creeps. While it lessened after a couple of years, I think it is why I don't really blog anymore. Plus, as he gets older, it is his life now and he is at a point of choosing what he wants to share.
ReplyDeleteIt was sooooo good to see and talk to you for just a minute yesterday. Miss you bunches.