I read a blog post recently where someone sheepishly said that they never posted about how cranky their kids are, and just posted the good stuff, because they figured no one wanted to hear it. Basically because it looks bad. They didn’t want to record it. There’s a new blog (the author has already been on tv) that posts how and why their kid cries. Every 15 seconds, it seems. I’m not sure that either one is a really good representation of their lives. Sure there are lots of highs: crafts that turn out well, A’s on the report card, potty training success, and there are lows: my milk is in the wrong cup, so I’m going to cry about it, injuries and accidents, and sadness.
But hear this: Unless you’re posting both, you’re not being authentic. You’re putting on a show. It’s a virtual ‘Christmas card’ of your life, capturing only a few things that life has to offer instead of the fullness and glory of parenting these wee tormentors we call our children.
Post a craft failure now and then (and a real one, not like you missed one glitter sequin on the back of an otherwise perfect wreath), write about the tears, yes, take a picture of that first bloody nose. Because photo albums and Christmas cards are 2 dimensional. They don’t show the true life that is happening behind those tears. Behind that A that was struggled so hard to achieve. If we aren’t telling our own stories, no one will.
We’re in the time of 15 minutes of fame. Where almost everyone acts as ignorantly as possible, doing whatever crazy thing they can, just to get attention. Recently saw where there were teenagers doing the old gross ‘spaghetti’ trick where you snort it and pull it out your mouth, except they were using prophylactics instead of cooked pasta. Really? That’s what this world has come to? Obviously, there are some of us that will never get that 15 minutes, don’t want it, wouldn’t take it if it was offered. Do we really want those old you tube videos of c0nd0m up people’s noses to be what everyone remembers about our generation? Or the ‘duck lips’ in the mirror? Not attractive.
Some of the bloggers I respect the most and read with the most enthusiasm are the ones that tell the real story. Find the good. Find the bad. Post the truth….and warn your kids about shoving birth control up their noses.
Exactly what is so refreshing about your blog. I love this post and totally agree, although sometimes I think I have a tendency to make my blog look shiny. I don’t mean to. I just try to end a frustrating anecdote or crazy parenting story with something I can take from it, if that make sense? Keep writing. When you write pieces like this, you shine.
Putting birth control in your nose isn’t going to protect you anyway!! 😉
I like blogs that are a true slice of life. I read some that aren’t particularly well-written, some that are, some that are in between. What they all have in common is honesty and the ability to laugh at themselves and/or see the humor in most situations.
I’ve seen that ‘why my son is crying’ thing. It was funny, but got old pretty fast.