I’m having a blogging crisis, of sorts.
Ever since writing about my son’s troubles at school recently, I’ve hesitated to say anything about him on this blog that could maybe even slightly give an impression that my son isn’t “normal.” Some of the comments and emails (way more emails than comments) I received as a result of saying that my son is difficult and has always been difficult really stung. It hurt and scared me to hear words like “Autism” and “Sensory Processing Disorder.”
I felt like I cheated Carson by not painting a complete picture of him, but my style of blogging is usually to just talk about the issue of the day and not include every single detail that one might possibly need to know to form a conclusion. Therefore, with the scant information I presented, several of you concluded that my son was somehow disordered.
I can see how you would come to that conclusion. If I were to have read that post, as someone who doesn’t live MY life, where I went on and on about how Carson has trouble with groups, he doesn’t like to be around too many kids, and that everything we’ve ever done has been a battle, well…I would have come to the conclusion that Carson needed some sort of professional help, that he was maybe autistic or sensory impaired or suffering from an anxiety disorder.
At this point, I’m not really sure what I should say about Carson and school. I don’t want to jinx the progress we’ve made (because everyone knows that sharing on a success on your blog immediately activates Murphy’s Law). Also, I really can’t take anymore advice.
I’m saturated and feeling overexposed.
I feel like I need to guard my son.
I feel like I need to guard my heart.
The other day I posted a picture of Carson with his hair in pigtails. Before publishing the photo, I considered whether or not this would embarrass Carson one day. Obviously, I went ahead and published it, but I’ve gone back and forth with myself, “hey it was pretty funny!” to “I should be ashamed at myself for posting a potentially embarrassing photo of my CHILD to get comments.”
Everyday there are hilarious things that my children do that would make BRILLIANT blog posts. The poop on the floor that someone tried to clean up with the mini vacuum, but luckily I intervened in time…The story of how the highlight of someone’s day was learning to pee behind a tree outside…The threatening to hit a certain unmentionable body part when they are angry, “I’m gonna hit my {redacted} if you make me eat lunch.”…
I don’t know anymore what I should and shouldn’t post. Will I embarrass them, overexpose them? Now that my children are no longer babies, there is no longer a clear line of what constitutes an appropriate, but still funny topic. A story about poop involving an infant: Funny! ALL infants have poop stories. A poop story about a three-year-old: funny…maybe, embarrassing…definitely. In no way do I want to exploit my children’s privacy and embarrassing moments for the sake of this stupid blog, for the sake of comments.
I shudder to think that my children would ever be angry with me for PUBLISHING for ALL the Interwebs to see on MY blog something that could potentially horrify them.
Something tells me that this is only going to get even more complicated as my children get older. I’m certain that Ella would be mortified if I talked about her getting her first period. Carson probably wouldn’t appreciate if I wrote in detail about his first hearbreak.
I mean, I’m supposedly a *GASP* mommyblogger. I’ve always blogged about my kids. (Most of the time) I love talking about them with all of you and hearing your experiences. But if I don’t talk about my kids , then what the hell do I talk about?!
There’s also this whole expectation about what you as readers expect when you read this blog. Playgroups are no place for children. A (mommy)blog about a mom who writes about her many moves, her two kids, silly marital strife stories, and pure nonsense. For awhile I wrote blog tips, but only on Saturdays because I didn’t want to annoy my readers who had no interest in the subject. I’d love to start talking about some of my other passions like photography and cooking, but I hesitate because “blogging experts” say that every different topic should be it’s own blog so as not to lose readers.
SIGH.
So I followed that advice. I started a recipe site about forever and an eon ago, but it’s just never felt like my home, THIS blog. I’ve considered beginning to post recipes with pictures, because I LIKE cooking, I LIKE photography, I LIKE photographs of food, and I LIKE to talk about those things, but haven’t because I didn’t want people to think I was just copying other people who’ve done the exact same thing.
Can you see why I’m having this blogging crisis?!
I fear the repercussions of talking about my kids and I fear venturing into new territories because I don’t have any NEW! and ORIGINAL! ideas.
Where do I go from here?
Even though I think that the name of this blog “Playgroups are no place for children” is frankly quite brilliant (if I do say so myself), I feel so boxed in by it. Every time I’m referred to as “Playgroupie” I want to barf. My kids are getting older and I haven’t been in a playgroup in a year and a half! The name, or really the BRAND of this blog, well…I just don’t know if it works for me anymore.
I don’t know if it is ME anymore.
What I really want to do is throw my hands up in the air and say, “Dammit! This blog may not be ME as much as it once was, but it is still MY blog. I can do whatever I want!” After more than two years of blogging, I think I’m finally in a place where I’m no longer really trying to grow my blog and gain readership, though if it happens, great! I do want to keep my readers, though, because I LIKE you. I really, really like you. It would be a shame to lose a bunch of readers because I decided to be ME.
Can I give myself permission to expand the content that I present on THIS site? Is it even allowed?
(This is officially the longest and most rambling post I’ve ever written. If you made it all the way to the end, I’d like to offer you a trophy.)
Personally, I like reading your blog because I’ve come to like YOU. So go ahead and write about whatever you want.
Besides, people evolve and change over time- learn new things, grow, etc… I know I certainly have. Why shouldn’t their blogs reflect that?
Grace´s lastest post..The House That Never Sleeps
I feel you on so many levels that you should be feeling quite violated right now.
Seriously. I get all of this, beginning to end. So many thoughts swirling in my own mind for the past 4 months or more have been all about everything you wrote here.
I think you’ve built a hell of a community around your blog, and you have some lee-way to alter the content to suit you, your style, and your tastes.
I’ve come to realize that personally, my blog is going to change and shift on a regular basis as I do. As we find our niche in life, our un-nichey, definitely personal blogs are bound to change to reflect us, right?
Sarcastic Mom´s lastest post..Lazy Douche Enablers: Jamie, Blonde Mom Blog
I posted on that first post and I apologize if what I said in any way hurt you. I was simply trying to relate my experience with my perfectly fine and healthy son who simply doesn’t get some things. Please know that we as commentors were simply trying to help you and not scare you or worse.
I think that we as readers come back because we like what you have to say. Not because of your title. I say branch out and post about anything and everything. If you want to do a mixture of blogging tips and recipes and photos and a sprinkle if your children thrown in, that would be OK with me.
Good luck with your blog and how you want to take it on this crazy journey.
simply anonymom´s lastest post..Random Thoughts Tuesday
My kids are 13 and 9 and I honestly rarely blog about them for the very reasons you have stated here.
I do think it’s funny that we are having a bit of swapped crises. I’m freaking out because I really am NOT a mommy blog but because I’m pregnant I am struggling with HOW MUCH to blog regarding all things baby and mom.
Thing is? It’s your blog. Verymom/kerflop/Balancing everything has radically changed multiple times in the almost 4 years I’ve read her and honestly? She’s FINE.
Do what you need to do to make this place yours, what you love and are comfy with and LIKE TO DO.
It’s a personal weblog. People don’t stay stagnant and neither should it.
Loralee´s lastest post..Sideblog: News I can handle. Finally.
Blogging experts be damned. Post whatever you want here. It’s your blog. If some readers drop off, that’s fine. Your blog is for you, not to cater to one sort of audience. Plus, who out there who reads blogs sticks to one type of blog? If they did, I’m sad for them. I think the majority of readers would appreciate or at least not mind a mix of topics and I think you would appreciate the freedom from being pigeonholed.
Moms who blog always worry about embarrassing their children when they get older. EVERYBODY’S parents keep embarrassing pictures and stories to show at a moment’s notice. We’re in an internet age. Instead of going through the photo album of naked bath pictures, picking noses, and spaghetti madness, many children will have an online version. Of course some things shouldn’t be written about ever or at least without the permission of said kid when he/she is older (like first kisses, failing the driver’s test, or bra shopping). But for the first years, it’s ok to write about all those silly and gross things kids do because every small child does silly and gross things. It’s ok to write about difficulties because blogging is a way of reaching out and communicating. The village used to be neighbors, but now the village it takes to raise a child is increasingly based on the wonderful interwebs, behind the glowing screen on a laptop.
That was a really long comment. I guess it goes with your long post. :]
As Amy gets older, I find myself writing about her less and less.
To be honest? I would enjoy reading about your photography and cooking just as much as everything else. I read you because of how well you write, not your topics.
I can only echo what the others have said. It’s YOUR blog, we read it because it’s YOU writing it.
Write about what you want to – we’ll still be here to read it.
Marylin´s lastest post..Weekly Winners #haventgotaclue
Can you send my trophy to Israel? Thanks.
Post what you want. I’ll read it and so will many others, it seems. there were a ton of comments on your last photo post, so obviously people are interested. And recipes? I’m always interested in those, especially if I can make them kosher. So, try it! We’ll like it!
Rabbi’s Wife´s lastest post..new house, new kid, same old me.
Mom Blogs – Blogs for Moms…
…
I totally get this post.
I worry and fritter about what is right and what isn’t but in the end, I just put up whatever I want.
It IS your space.
People can’t corner you into one niche.
You are not just a Mum, you are a woman, a photographer, a cook, a person who is passionate, funny, sad, has good and bad days.
As for people passing judgement. Wow. All I can say is where do they get off? Are they and their kids so perfect that they can pass judgement? I think not.
I have had some nasty emails and comments and they do hurt. Alot. I must admit that I have pulled in my horns a few times because of those commenters.
Again though, my blog is mine. My space, my outlet, so I should be able to write about what I like.
Expand your blog.
I’ll be reading.
You were the first blog I found outside of my own and a couple of friends. I will always be here.
tiff´s lastest post..Blessed
I like you & would be interested in your life beyond mommying. Blogs that are all mommy all the time are great when the reader is also in that phase. We are looking for support confirmation as much as the writer.
But, the kids grow up. We eventually get more opportunity to take part in non-mommy activity. You do too. For this reason, to stay too closely identified with a single main topic would eventually lose readers for you. We are moving on, keep up!
I suspect there is a mini-generation affect to consider as well. Newly minted moms search for blogs by moms in nearly the same stage. So, at this stage, it’s a matter of keeping us, not gaining new readers. So, writing about other interests now that your mommying allows more time for them is reasonable, because that’s where we, your current readers, are too.
If only what other people thought didn’t matter…
I love reading you, and not because you’re a mommyblogger, but because I like what you write – all topics. And if I lived in your town, I’d definitely be on your doorstep asking you out for a walk or coffee (even though I don’t drink it). If I ever find my self in the US, I might just turn up anyway.
So, write what you want, and try to ignore the one’s who want to tell you how you should live or raise your children or have your marriage. (Does that include me?)
Sounds like you’re having a bit of success with Carson and school. Hope it keeps up.
@simply anonymom Please don’t feel the need to apologize! I’m definitely not looking for apologies!
I am not exaggerating when I say that I think I have the greatest readers in the world. I truly appreciate the time people take to offer advice and/or simply comment. That day was just particularly hard because for a few minutes some comments really made me question whether I was being honest with myself about my son. It truly scared me, but I know that wasn’t anyone’s intent.
Like Nemo says, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
I’m sure BlogHer will re-invigorate you.
In talking with you in person and reading here I NEVER had the impression that Carson was anything other than a normal 2/3.
Going to Danville today. Not gonna eat Mexican. Miss you.
Rayne of Terror´s lastest post..What am I going to DO?
First i would like to say that i am a newer reader. I think i only started reading about 2 weeks ago when i ran across the nae of your blog and found it hilarious. Then i started reading your post and loved your style. I am pleased to say now that i am hooked and would continue to read even if you change the name or the subjects.
I think you have to choose how open and how honest you are. I can understand the feeling of being too honest and putting yourself too out there for scrutiny. I have removed a few post from my blog over the last (almost) year for fear of what people would say.
I dont have a lot of followers and i dont really know if it is a bad thing or not. I enjoy the friendly faces i see on a regular basis and always welcome new readers but at the same time fear, as you do, losing them.
I hope you are able to find what you decide is a good medium for you. Just know that some of us are faithful followers not of a mommy-blog with a cute title but of a well written blog by someone we like.
Courtney´s lastest post..Emotional Poetry
I’m feeling the same way about my blog title, and it would have been so easy to just start over when I LOST my blog during my WP upgrade, but….I still have the url and don’t have any ideas what would be better so….still there.
With teenagers, I DEFINITELY have to watch what I say on my blog. I’ve been doing that for quite some time now, just because they and their friends are at internet-using ages. But my children weren’t babies when I started blogging, so I don’t know how that eventually works out.
It does get more complicated, on the other hand, you eventually revisit your interests more in-depth, and find other things you like to blog about. It’s not so bad!
“Dammit! This blog may not be ME as much as it once was, but it is still MY blog. I can do whatever I want!”
Damn straight. I say post on whatever you are in the mood to post about. It’s your life and your blog! I think your readers check in because they like you and the way you write.
mep´s lastest post..She eats chicken.
would you change the color of your living room … without making sure that everyone that may possibly enter it at any given time … will like it?
then i say yes … go ahead!
i come back truly because you are a mama and an SLP and i like how you write … and i feel connected to that.
go for it!
jen´s lastest post..a knot.
I totally get this post, too. And as someone else already said, I read you b/c you have always been you. I don’t feel you’re trying to be something you’re not and I appreciate your honesty, esp in moments that may be unflattering at best. I don’t get how “mommyblogger” means all you can blog about are the kids. Does being a mom totally encompass our being 24/7? Well, okay, yeah, it does. But although you’re a mom, you’re also a friend/sister/aunt/photog/foodie/comedian/wife, etc. It’s all those other parts that make up the Mommy you, so I say you write about them too. I think you have developed a huge readership and the faithful fans of the real you will stay, or follow if you decide to start over elsewhere.
Smooches!
Shelly´s lastest post..Last Disney Week
Expand away! I read not because of your kids but because of you. So, if you want to change the focus then do so.
Katia / Crazy For Trying´s lastest post..Maja and the pool
Yes! Give yourself permission! Screw the experts and do whatever you want to do with your blog! Emphasis on YOUR blog. My favorites posts of yours were the blogging tips – not that I don’t like posts about your kids but clearly there is so much more to you than that. Let’s see all of Jennifer.
catnip´s lastest post..sick day, once again
Jen, I think you can talk about whatever the heck you want to on YOUR blog. And I bet you any money that as long as *you* are still here, writing the posts, your *friends* will be here commenting.
I understand where you are coming from about wanting to protect your children and my heart feels so black sometimes when I hear about people ‘diagnosing’ other people’s children through blog posts. Folks who don’t realize that this is a teeny little sliver of your life need to spend more time in the real world.
Misty´s lastest post..Water Bored
Hi.
Don’t loose track of the underlying condition here; you are a writer. If you try to write about something that you don’t care about or know about, your going to be bad at it. You My blog is really freakin’ serious because what I know and what I care about happens to be serious. I love humorous blogs like yours but I could never be one. You have to speak your truth, whatever that is today. If you write well, you’ll always have readers. Like me : )
juliet´s lastest post..Tyranny of Hedonics
For what it’s worth, I come here because I like you. You keep it real, no matter what the topic. I can identify with you on many levels.
Don’t worry so much about what people think or what you’re supposed to do. Keep the blog for yourself and write about what YOU are interested in. So what if you lose a reader or two by posting one too many recipes or whatnot…I’m sure you’ll pick up just as many if not more just being you.
Ashlie- Mommycosm´s lastest post..Life lessons in Poker
My small piece of advice, for what it’s worth…. Your son is a GREAT kid. I know him personally and he’s awesome (that’s more for your readers, you already know it) And 2- if you were the complete you on here, people would love you even more. Cause you rock…. and I miss you..
Heidi´s lastest post..Not Me Monday… the partners in crime edition.
I can understand why you were upset by that. And I think we spoke at Blissdom about how I felt like I’d outgrown my blog name too.
I started another blog this year for Hot by BlogHer so I didn’t annoy my regular readers with as many fitness posts. But I also feel like I’m not as open in sharing very personal stories about my daughters anymore.
Cordy’s autism is well-known, but I try to keep the most embarrassing information private.
SO this is a long way of saying I understand and write about what you want. People will stay, some may go, but you may also get new readers with your new topics.
Christina´s lastest post..Middle-of-the-Night Ghostly Visits
I don’t know if this will help (because I have 1/100000 of your readers and when it comes to blogging we’re not only not in the same boat we’re in different oceans) but I recently went through a similar blogging crisis. I have cut back on posting about my son because all of the adorable stories about him now seem less “cute” and more “emberessing” now that he’s eight. Even with my daughter (who’s three) I find myself second guessing what I post about her. So I did exactly what you’re thinking about doing. I expanded my blog to include cooking and crafting sections. I don’t update them a ton but it’s nice to have that outlet to post on when I have nothing but poop stories to tell otherwise. (Just so we’re clear, I still post my OWN poop stories. I just keep the one’s involving the kids to myself.) I don’t care that some big names have done it all before and I don’t think you should either. Whatever you do, whatever you post about will have your own unique spin. You’re a great writer and I, for one, would enjoy reading your blog no matter what it was about. And that’s code for “You could use more poop stories up in this joint”.
Jen´s lastest post..Interview with the boy child
I will happily accept my trophy and say this is your blog, post what you want. The people you’ve come to know and love in the blogosphere will stay, others will probably come and go over the course of time anyway. Take the blog somewhere it makes you happy, because if you’re not happy and comfortable doing it anymore, maybe it’s not entirely worth it.
I have to agree with what others have posted. It’s YOUR SPACE, do what you like. Your writing, your personality, you being you will flow through.
The one time I have met your son, I would have never thought he had anything wrong with him; aside from being a kid. Come on, you’ve met mine…EEEEEEKKKKK. And that’s all I’m sharing on that one.
Amo´s lastest post..And yet these people keep talking to me…
I read because you write. Your posts about moving, about Tate are as funny, spot on and touching as the ones of your kids.
Jennifer, you’re a talented lady and I’ll keep reading whatever you write.
courtneyryan´s lastest post..Courtesy of Mini-Me
I’m not a blogging expert. I read your blog because I’ve been reading it long enough that I feel as if I know you. And it’s interesting to follow along with your adventures. If you want to post a recipe, or a photography tip, please do. It’s your blog, after all: if I don’t like the recipe I don’t have to make it, but it won’t cause me to run screaming away from your blog. Of course, I’m one of the readers who has benefitted enormously from your blogging tips – that’s actually how I found you. Blogging about your kids: that’s trickier. Personally, I blog the stuff that I want to remember, or that I think they might want to know some day. If it’s over-the-top embarrassing, it isn’t going in. That means I never reach out to other bloggers with concerns about my kid’s development. I’m a mom of four, so by now I’m reasonably sure that most of my concerns will eventually cease to be. As will yours- Carson will eventually find his comfort zone in a classroom, and you’ll laugh at how worried you were about it. Every kid is different. Advice for you? Don’t worry too much about your son, and don’t worry too much about your blog. Both are finding their way in this world of ours. And both are probably going to turn out okay in the end. Please keep blogging in whatever format you choose, and I for one will keep reading.
Donna´s lastest post..Boys
I made it to the end! And I like you and your style. I’ll be here to read whatever you choose to write about.
Amy´s lastest post..apartment vs. condo living
It’s so funny (and comforting) to read that I’m not the only one having a blogging crisis. While my silly little collection of ramblings isn’t nearly at your level I too am feeling the pull to protect anonymity while still expressing and exploring myself. . .
From these comments it seems that people like you for you. While I don’t have a ‘following’ anywhere near yours I think that their posts have shown me that I’m just going to go for it. Until such a time as I can afford a pretty and shiny hosted blog I’m just going to keep spewing my thoughts because for me the reward is the ability to vent and share and create- not amassing readers (not that I’m saying that’s your goal at all).
Keep being you!! We are all changing every day. Maybe some people will decide to drift away but I’d guess new people will be attracted to you and will learn and benefit from what you share.
So very well put. Viewing your blog as what you want to write about makes perfect sense to me. I think most readers stay with a blog because they’ve come to know the writer. Sure, I want to hear more about the kids — the near-vacuuming of the poop slays me — but I’m interested mostly in what you have to say and how you say it.
patois´s lastest post..As if More Proof Were Needed: I’m an Idiot
I don’t think being a mom blogger should limit us to just writing about kids. As mine get older and are now in school more hours of the day I find I am writing more about me and more about thoughts rather than activities. The boys are still there but they are not the sole focus anymore. It isn’t really about privacy for me. We’re all pseudonyms & very few RL people know I have a blog. It’s that they are running their own narrative now & there is less of it for me see and share.
I’d be delighted to see recipes and things here. Its your blog, it should reflect you.
Stacey~ComfyMom´s lastest post..Book purge 09 – Non fiction, part 1
Really, when it comes to the mommy blogger dilemma of whether what we write will embarrass our children one day, well you know what? Life has embarrassing moments. It’s full of them, really.
I think everyone could do with a bit more humility, more keeping it real so to speak. We’re all human and goofing up or doing silly things is all part of the game. To pretend otherwise is a pretense, and gosh, it takes up so much energy to keep up appearances.
And you know how I feel about blogging rules…to hell with them. They don’t really apply to diarist anyway. Be who you are, all facets. To pretend you’re only half of who you are is keeping a pretense too, no?
Explore all of your voices. You never know where one will take you!
I love your blog, because of your outlook on the subjects you talk about. You always make me laugh or say to myself “me too”. I think you should write about whatever makes you happy and not worry about the loss of readers. You won’t lose me. I also think it is our job as parents to embarrass our kids. I do enjoy the stories about the kids and Tate, because I also have small children and a silly husband. I never once got the impression that Carson was anything but a typical 3 year old, so no worries.
I would guess that you are over thinking it. Just write about what you want to write about. That is the real point of a blog right? Honestly I enjoy and stick with reading blogs that represent the person who writes it – as soon as they start to feel over produced or personal-brand driven I usually become uninterested. Simply put I came here because you and your experiences interested me, my kids aren’t babies anymore and yours are growing up too – if you kept talking about the same things it would seem weird.
Melizzard´s lastest post..Is it just me? …
it’s your blog and you should write what you want to.
period.
photography? cool. i’m always looking for helpful hints.
cooking? cool. i’m a lousy cook and it’s always interesting to see what help i can get from people who actually are good at it.
blogging tips? bring it on, baby.
i walk a very very fine line on my blog on embarrassing my teen and adult children on the internet. and i frequently can’t decide which way to go.
usually, though, i go for the punchline. i’m shameless, i guess. sigh
the planet of janet´s lastest post..My mother, the pole dancer
THink it may be related to how you see yourself as a person and how that changes too – you’re not the same person you were when you started this. It’s your blog – you do what you want.
(and don’t worry about what some crazy people say – we don’t actually know you or your kids or your life – we know only what you tell us).
Teri´s lastest post..UGH
I read you because you are funny, honest, and real. Write what you want to write about. YOU are the brand. I admit, I am not a blogger, and I don’t attend all of the conferences that tell you how you should blog and brand and all that stuff. I’ve never really understood the desire to do that. If you are writing about what you are passionate about, people will read it. I read a blog because I like the voice and I learn new things about myself and the world around me. I don’t care what other people on other blogs are writing. I tend to shy away from the mega-popular blogs, because I don’t like being one of millions. I don’t comment much at all, so I know I’m an unknown, but I like the feeling of knowing that if I did comment, the bloggers I read would notice. How can the Dooces and Pioneer Women even find the time to read all of their comments?
Anyway, I don’t think you should feel constricted by your title or brand. You made the brand, you can change it at anytime. I will keep reading as long as you stay interested and and interesting. I don’t really care what you write about, as long as you care about it.
I hate to be repetitive – but I love this blog and I’ve read forever and I like you – so I’ll keep reading!
And I’m going through this same thing. I think you are probably wondering if the name will suit if you change direction, and if you change names – well you have built equity and recognition in THIS name/brand and to start over seems daunting, even if lots of people will follow. (You hate Playgroupie -it’s so cute!)
I’m in mid-redesign on my little blog. Part of my problem is lack of focus. I’ve been trying different types of posts to see what resonates and what I like best. But some of it doesn’t fit with my name as well as I’d like.
I chose a design which is fun and might maybe possibly cast a wide enough net for me — but then I had an attack of the “serious” and the design suddenly felt too fluffy. What if I want to post serious things – and my header is frou-frou?
I’m making myself crazy.
I’ll be interested in seeing how you decide about all this!
amy´s lastest post..St. Patrick’s Wearing O’ The Green
I think this is a common concern with bloggers. I know it is for me. I go in spurts on my blog. But I’ve never really concerned myself with the number of readers I have, therefore I don’t have pressure to be a certain way on my blog. Really it’s just a space for me to network with other moms, vent, and share things about my life.
I think you’ll find your answer when you decide why you are blogging. It sounds to me that you already know your answer.
I will continue to read here no matter what you do. Or if you change the name, I’ll follow you there too. I like your writing, humor, and just you. Thats what makes me read people’s blogs…when I feel like I have some sort of interest/connection with the person.
Mommy Daisy´s lastest post..Shaun the Sheep DVD Winner
Jennifer-I love your blog-I think that whatever you write about will be fine. I think that you can and should be able to write about what you want on your blog. While you may be a “mommy blogger” I don’t really look at you that way. You write about your life & if cooking & photography are part of it then i think should could add that to the mix as well.
As for the kids, my girls are 14 &11. They know when I write about them. I think you are wise for not putting their names out there for people to know-to google. That was our biggest reasoning behind the nicknames. I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules that you need to live by when blogging, just be yourself & blog because you want to-not just to get comments (which I don’t think you do at all)
Well, I am not sure if my comment is making sense & I feel like I am rambling.
Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..Haiku Friday-Cherishing life with co-pays
Moms, last I checked, had varied interests besides their children. Mothers are frequently interested in photography and cooking and things besides children. I don’t think you should feel boxed in by the name on your masthead. You are Jennifer, a woman of many talents and interests. You have the right to reveal those on your own personal web page without judgment or anguish.
Your loyal readers will support you. As long as you continue to be honest with us, we will gobble up your posts they way we always do.
NGS´s lastest post..45 x 365 #122
We are more than “mommy” too and can relate to the WHOLE you. Besides, this blog is for you, not for us…write what’s on your mind. We obviously like what we’ve seen so far. You’re stuck with us.
Leighann´s lastest post..Awake
Your “season” is changing and everything changes. I would love to read about your photography and cooking I might get some great ideas.
We had dog poop on our carpet last week and I totally missed it… so my toddler cleaned it up with her toy vacuum. I didn’t blog about it. I don’t blog about a lot of things. I pick what’s on my mind and focus on that. Usually it is 3% of what is really going on in my life.
I, just like you, always think about the future and wonder what will happen with blogging. That is why I can not believe that some people are SO open and SO honest and SO over exposed online. Do they realize that their sons and daughters will be in high school one day. OMG… can you imagine. “Whoa, dude. I read that your mother had sex and then… blah blah…”
OHmommy´s lastest post..Naively optimistic
I think you should do whatever YOU like and what interests you because, after all, this is YOUR blog. Many of the blogs I read have different sections on their blog for different interests. Go look at Pioneer Woman. She blogs about food, her kids, her ranch, you name it. All on one blog.
I say, let your creativity run wild! Do what you think is fun and interesting.
Lastly, if I am not mistaken, you can shut down any blog and make it inaccessible. At some point, if you are worried about your children reading it, you could do that.
I’ve been blogging for about five minutes so my opinion may not be worth much, but here it is. People are here because of you and while this may have started out to be about your kids, people will be interested in the other parts of you. Assuming that you can only talk about mommy stuff assumes that you are only a mom, which clearly isn’t the case.
Mama Bub´s lastest post..Four Prescriptions Later…