9.01.2010

Controversial Blogging

Since I have been meeting so many new friends in the bloggy world, I have started thinking more about the content of which I blog about. I have always been honest about things I write about, but I have also tended to be more selective in fear of offending people. (I have apparently offended people in past, regardless of how careful I was being.) I will also admit, however, that here and there I will throw caution to the wind and say what is on my mind (with the "it's my blog" attitude), and deal with the negative responses.

I am not sure how I feel about all this. Should I be editing myself in order to make the general audience happy? Should I use the blog to air out my everyday frustrations and be honest about what is going on inside my head? Should I keep it light hearted? Should I go with raw feelings?

This is hard.

Some of the topics I have avoided talking about, because they could give the wrong impression:

  • Being a stay at home mom. This is one of the hardest. I don't want to talk about how hard it is, because there are working moms who work hard at her career and at home. I don't want to mention how wonderful a gift it is that my husband works so hard for our family so that I can stay at home, because then people would get offended thinking I don't think their husbands work hard enough (which IS NOT TRUE). I am afraid of saying how happy it makes me to be able to be home with the kids, because then someone will think I am telling them they should be unhappy, or that they shouldn't be happy with their career.
  • Food. I do talk a lot about food, but not in the true sense of how I feel inside. I mention my side of things and how we choose to live, but I never share my true feelings about the general population and how they feed their children. I can be very judgmental about food, but I keep that to myself because I don't want anyone to think that I think they are terrible parents because they let their children eat X, Y, and Z. I also don't want to be judged (which I often am) because my children don't eat X, Y, and Z.
  • Money. We are not wealthy, we are not poor, but we do live very tightly. I talk about getting hand me downs and how we couldn't live without them, but we also have some nice things as well. My husband and I have strong opinions on how money should be spent and saved, which is very different from the majority of people.
  • TV. We have some very strong opinions about TV, which is a very hot topic, so I avoid it all together. 
There are many posts that don't get published, and many paragraphs that get deleted, in fear of someone getting upset.

What is a blogging momma to do? What do you do? What is your philosophy? 
Shared By at Wednesday, September 01, 2010
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10 friendly things to say:

  1. It's your blog. I think you should write what you want when you want without worry about if you'll offend someone. In my opinion, if people don't like what they're reading, then they can leave. It would be nearly impossible to write a blog that makes EVERYONE happy. I can understand why you would choose to leave certain things out but you have a right to share you true opinions. I, personally, don't get easily offended by what I read on other people's blogs.
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  2. I think it depends on why you blog. Since the girls were born, I have kept a pretty detailed journal of what they were doing, the milestones they hit, and my feelings. I started blogging to challenge myself to share some of those things in a creative and entertaining way (at least I hope so!). There are times I would like to veer from that a little bit, but I rarely do, and that's just what works for me.

    I read different kinds of blogs...there are a couple I read just as entertainment, but most are ones that I can learn something from in one form or fashion. I might get an idea for an activity or craft, a recipe, or I might just be challenged to stop and smell the roses. Of course I read things every day that I don't agree with...I either think, wow, that's an interesting way of thinking about things; or wow, I never want to do that; or wow, I should think about trying that.

    For me, as long as material is not presented too judgmentally, I'm game. We all have our different philosophies, and I love seeing how - and why - other people do things.
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  3. I certainly get this one. I am trying to be more honest about my feelings about things. That is actually one reason that I want to blog. Even so, I still find myself censoring what I write so not to offend anyone! I do agree with Kristen, the writer of his/her blog should be able to write whatever they want without worrying about offending anyone!
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  4. I have struggled with the same issues. I totally agree with Kristen that you cannot make the world happy. We all log on in order to "make contact," to be heard, to hopefully discover others like us or that challenge us....but it is ALL voluntary. I am honest about my feelings and thoughts--and have been thrilled to find kindred spirits. The only exception is airing your family dirty laundry--be careful venting about marriage or parents or siblings...words can sever relationships. People forget that while you may be typing in your private home....there's nothing private about publishing it here.
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  5. I just read. Been thinking about writing, but starting the habit hasn't been implemented. I say stick with who you are and what you want to say and let the pieces fall where you may. I've been reading long enough to say that who you are is not someone who wants to intentionally upset people, so embrace your good will and write away.
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  6. I think you should write about what you enjoy. That's what blogging is for, right? And if you offend someone, they can stop being a follower and you will be left with good followers that enjoy reading your blogs. :)
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  7. Its your blog, so you should write what you want. You just have to be willing take the criticism that some people will give. If someone is offended, that's okay, just know that they might have something to say about it and deal with it. If you can't take the criticism or offended people's comments, then.....
    Oh, and you might be surprised just how many of us might agree with you! I'm a stay at home mommy who recently started doing child care in my home. It was not an easy decision, but there were lots of reasons to do it, the biggest being we want to have more kids so we need to save some money to be able to do that! I love being able to stay home with my daughter! Also, on TV, I too have strong opinions, so strong in fact, that we do not have one! So, see you never know what others are thinking unless you throw it out there! Hope you have a great day!
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  8. I have been following your blog for a long time now and would say we have pretty different parenting methods, but that is one of the reasons I enjoy reading your blog. I find your approaches interesting and makes me think twice about things I do and incorporate learnings from your blog into our lifestyle. I'm not a SAHM and would never have your patience for making all the foods you make, but I like reading about it. So keep on writing!
    But I totally know what you mean, I hold back on some topics I feel really strong about as well! Not as much for the blog community because you will never satisfy everyone, but for closer friends who I see often that I don't want to offend.
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  9. I say just do it. You might offend, but you also might find a tighter community of readers.

    Honest is always interesting to me.
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  10. Post it, post it, post it!!!! You will find more who feel the same way you do, and some that don't! I have a regular reader who doesn't eat meat - I'm a turkey farmer. She has stayed by me anyway!
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