Questions About Blogging as a Mom

// 8.10.06 // Filed under: Parenting, Thriving

Miss Zoot has asked some questions about mommyblogging (BTW, who decided mommyblogging should be one word, and why? That bugs the crap out of me.) and these same questions have, coincidentally, been on my mind lately. Here’s my contribution to the discussion.

1. Do your kids know about your blog? If they’re too young to know, do you plan to keep it open to them as they get older?

My son knows about my blog and likes to look at it when I post pictures of him. He’s not that interested in reading, although I will certainly let him when he is interested.

2a. If so – do you worry they may get embarrassed later? What would you do if they asked you to stop writing about them? What would you do if they wanted you to take it down all together?

My children could very well be embarrassed. I mean, I have big plans to be a famous writer/ blogger/ purveyor of essential information, so I can totally see the day when my kids’ buddies are online and all like, “Dude! Do you know what your Mom wrote about back in 2006?” I would like to think this would be followed by “Your Mom is so cool! And hot!” But, um, I just don’t know…

If they explicitly asked me to stop writing about them or take down what I wrote in the past? Whew. That’s a tough one. I respect them and their privacy, but it’s my writing. And everyone knows that nothing can really ever disappear from the internet. I’d probably explain that fact and decline their request, but not write anything more that they did not approve of.

3. Do you think our kids will appreciate the archive of their childhood? Do you wish your parents had done the same?

I hope so. I spend so much time on scrapbooking and writing and I believe that as adults my children will treasure all of it. I SO wish my parents and grandparents had archived their thoughts. I would love, love, love to know how my Nana (who now has dementia) felt when her children were little. My grandfather was off to war. How did she cope? What were her days like? What did she make for dinner? You get bits and pieces of stories as you grow up, but you don’t really know the day-to-day details.

We all appreciate our parents more when we become parents. We finally get it. If I could have read my Mom’s blog when I had a newborn, it would have been the icing on the cake. Blogs are going to make a huge difference in that respect.

4. Do you go back and re-read your past parenting milestones? Do you realize you forgot a lot?

I don’t go back and read my blog very often. I don’t think I’ve forgotten a lot yet, but I do notice how I’ve changed. Blogging is a wonderful catalyst for change – for sorting out your thoughts and looking at problems in a new light. And, of course, there’s the support from those who read your blog and comment. Sniff. I just get all teary-eyed thinking about it.

5. What about your children’s friends/teachers/moms-of-friends? What if they found your blog? Do you tell your child not to tell anyone about it or are they free to talk about it? Do you worry their teachers or other parents will think it’s weird?

I tell everyone about my blog. It’s not a secret, although many times I wish it were. I sometimes think of the funniest posts, but then realize I can’t write them because I’d completely embarrass or piss off someone I know who reads my blog. I don’t particularly care if anyone thinks my blogging is weird.

One thing that startles me is when people mention things from my blog in real-life conversation and it takes me a minute to figure out how did they know about that? Then it’s like, Oh yeah, the blog. The one where I lay on the virtual couch in my underwear and use y’all as my therapist.

Don’t forget to visit Miss Zoot to read what other moms who blog have to say. If you’d like to participate, answer the questions and send your link to Miss Zoot.

Related Posts:
Blogging Can Consume You
How Did I Get HERE? Part III
Blogolution