Does your family know about your blog? What do they think?

Yes, they do. And how I found out they actually read it, although they don't often tell ME they do, was the subject of a post on Open Salon. "How Google Analytics Proved My Parents Love Me."

http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=45265

Aphra
http://www.relevantmom.blogspot.com

Fri, 2008-12-19 01:49

My husband knows about my Blog but that is about it, since its a fairly new blog I dont think anyone cares really for Now... I will wait and see.

Mon, 2008-12-22 14:04

Sarahusuk, I hope you'll reconsider your need to keep your true thoughts private, if only because there are thousands of women who are struggling with the same things you are. I have a private blog too, and it definitely serves an important and separate purpose, but sometimes there's no better cure for what's blocking you in life, than validation from people who've been there. God bless.

Thu, 2009-01-01 12:20

As a growing fan of public writers/artists, there's an egotistical element, but there's also an "I'm putting myself out there for YOU" sort of arrangement. I don't personally like to bleed my business everywhere, but I do believe a moderate amount of sharing of some of the superficial things, like I drink hot decaf everyday, can open us intuitive women up to each other, without having to spill other gritty details.

There's definitely a leap from censoring yourself, to deciding that you have a right to express yourself however you wish, without fear of repurcussion from the people around you. It's a sticky technology, that's for sure. But from my point of view, you would benefit immensely from a strong band of internet savvy women who would respect and protect your chosen pseudonym until their dying breath.

But that's just me. Being my motherly self to a mother-in-waiting.

Thu, 2009-01-01 19:15

dear sarhusuk,

i agree with growingupartists (I tend to do that). it's hard to find your comfort zone with blogging. I mean, your real comfort zone where you feel affirmed, focused, creative, and self-directed. This is a zone of power. i've only been blogging for about a month but one thing i've really enjoyed is the "coming out" aspect of it. i've always been hyper-private & distrustful. now, i'm blogging (using my real name), facebooking, twittering, etc.

it felt really unsafe at first & people i normally would have blocked (like my sister & coworkers) have read my blog posts & have given me a lot of good feedback. In fact, it's even given me stuff to write about ("3 Reasons You Should Never Invite Your Christian Fundamentalist Sister to Facebook . . .")

that said, i do not share in a straight-forward way. Instead, i like to satirize the messy reality of my life; people are left to draw their own conclusions & i hope people can project themselves more easily into the writing since i'm not so in the way.

my disclaimer: i've already decided not to have an online "diary" cause it's not my style but some people do this very well. and you never know who's out there, needing to hear exactly what you're wanting to write about.

Cynthia
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1222142827&ref=profile
http://twitter.com/RichMama
http://blackswanpapers.blogspot.com/
http://www.therichmama.com/

Fri, 2009-01-02 14:17

OMG, there are people out there who struggle with this as much as me?? Could it be true??

Sarahusuk, I think you've been reading MY private blog, because these are the very reasons that keep me from starting a public blog of my own, in spite of my own desires and my friends' repeated requests to do so!

I am a writer by profession, so it only stands to reason that I would be a veteran blogger, right? Wrong. Why? Because ultimately I'm afraid of the damage I can (and inevitably will) do to my relaitonships if I am true to myself and write exactly what I want to write.

It pisses me off to know that I would have to censor myself in order to keep the peace with my mother (Lord, I could create an entire blog about her alone that would attract thousands), or avoid alienating my sisters, or insulting my friends -- all of which could certainly happen if I allowed myself to write what I want. And I don't have any earth-shattering revelations about myself, either... nor do I want to talk smack about my family every day... in fact, most people think I'm funny and fun to be around and a great storyteller, which is why I'm always asked why I don't have a blog. The truth is, I simply don't want to feel like I have to stifle certain observations, thoughts and feelings. So utlimately, I guess I've taken an "all-or-nothing" position: If I can't be honest, then forget it.

In fact, just the other day I was talking to my mom on the phone and told her I was thinking about finally getting off the dime and starting a public blog... and she quickly replied, "Uh, you know, I don't think that's a very good idea." She doesn't think it's a good idea because I'm a bad writer. She doesn't think it's a good idea because I'm a VERY GOOD writer.

And what she REALLY means is: "Oh, that's nice honey... but really, we can't have a loose cannon like you going off on the Internet whenever you feel like it."

It's a sticky wicket, to be sure. So far I haven't had the guts or the energy to go there... so maybe my blog will never happen, which kind of sucks because social media is something that I WAS SIMPLY BORN TO DO. I'm sure many of you feel exactly the same way, and it's so fun to find a forum chock full of peeps like me!

Perhaps you can help me out and keep me incognito... I can take my baby steps here at momversation.com until I can make peace with compromise, or be completely fine with being left out of my parents' will. :)

Thanks for listening... and for sharing any advice you may have on the subject!

Peace out...

Wed, 2009-01-07 19:44

Yep the family knows about the blog and in the beginning the MIL blew her top over my publicly discussing things related to her son. After she came to terms with the fact that he doesn't have a problem with my blogging about our life she eventually came around.

Like others have said I to do not post too much personal information in the blog about others out of respect for them and their privacy. I do post lost of TMI about myself though and the family is welcome to read it if they can deal with it. I don't censor on their behalf though.

Wed, 2009-01-07 17:52