Wednesday, August 13, 2008

the one who tells too much

My mother says that I can't keep a secret. She has always maintained that if something happens to me, I have to go and tell the whole world about it. And what's funny is that she's been saying that even before I started a blog.

At this very moment, I am sitting in a hotel bathroom writing this post. Glory be the wonder of a laptop computer and wireless internet access!

Because I am adamant that I do not want to wean Henry, nor pump, the whole family accompanied me on my most recent business trip. Today, while I sat in meetings, my children spent the morning swimming in the hotel pool - and then spent the afternoon racing the new Big Wheels that they inherited from my friend Debbie (who with her husband and three-year-old triplet boys have moved to England for a year), up and down the hallway ... on all 20 floors ... of the four-star hotel where we are staying.

At the moment, Charlie is off exercising in the hotel fitness room and I am hiding from my children who don't want to sleep. And I figured that while I'm sitting here, this is as good of a time as any to conclude the soul-searching that I had embarked upon last week.

For the record: I am not so naïve as to think that pictures and stories that I post on the internet are completely safe from any one that stumbles upon them, whatever their intentions may be. I know that if I want to keep something private, the last thing I should do is post it on the internet. But a large part of the joy that I derive from blogging about my life, is knowing that my stories are accessible to any one that stumbles upon this website. And I have held faith from the very first blog posting I created, that the vast majority of the people that will come to this website are good and decent.

(Even if they sit on a toilet in a hotel bathroom, hiding from their children, to access the internet.)

For the person that Googles about pediatric dentistry - or transitioning from a bottle to a sippy cup - or how to best organize Legos - or how to fly with triplets - or how to get a breastfeeding baby to sleep through the night - and they have found words of advice or encouragement ... that makes all of the effort it took to write these posts worthwhile.

Which, in case you were wondering, I calculate the amount of effort spent on this blog since it's inception in March of 2006, to be around 2,500 hours. Give or take 500. That is approximately the same number of hours that I have worked for my employer since 2005. I didn't realize until recently that this blog takes up about as much time as my actual career, but this is a true labor of love.

It is also the reason I never get to bed before 2 AM.

When I receive positive e-mails from people telling me how much my words have meant to them, that is what keeps me going. So when I received over 200 comments in less than two days time on my YouTube video, I felt sick. With each twisted comment that rolled in about my beautiful babies, it felt like a whole world of perverts had our number and all I wanted to do was throw our computer in bleach. And then, in the midst of that, I received an e-mail that someone had stolen my birth story and photos of my children.

Suddenly, the internet was very ugly.

With body odor and bad breath.

And something green stuck in it's teeth.

For the past few days, I have spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I'm afraid of with this blog. Am I afraid that someone might recognize my children and try to hurt them? Am I afraid of being stalked? Am I afraid that someone might steal my writing and try to make it their own, for gain? Am I afraid of criticism?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the only reason I would make this blog private is because I was afraid of something bad happening to my family. Come to think of it, I am afraid of a lot of things happening. But that doesn't stop me from doing them.

For instance, I am deathly afraid of flying, but I know that if I want to get from point A to point B in a timely manner, I need to put my fears aside. And I am deathly afraid of strange dogs and being involved in a car accident, but that doesn't stop me from taking my children to a park where dogs have been known to run free, or driving 7,000-miles cross-country.

Nelson Mandela has said, "As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

I have always maintained that this blog is a place where I can share details of the struggles and joys of parenting ... and life. And I have never been afraid to write stories that reveal some of my deepest thoughts. It is very important for me that I continue to do that, even if it means that I have to exercise extreme caution in the pictures that I post, or add safety features that will better protect the images that I upload.

Ultimately, my mother was right. If something happens to me, I have to tell the whole world about it. And I have yet to share how I organize our children's clothes and shoes, both of which I believe are critically important to the success of humanity.

I'm sure Nelson would agree.

40 comments:

  1. I appreciate that you want to keep your family safe and still provide wonderful blog content to the rest of us. I don't envy you this task. I hope that the creeps go away, but most likely you will just have to protect videos and images. I always enjoy coming here and reading your stories.

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  2. Yay you're back! So glad that you are planning to keep on blogging. I missed your favorite thing post on Friday, you always have such neat ideas. I bet it is a sight to see the trips riding up and down the halls.
    Kathy

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  3. I am so glad I can still follow your journey. You inspire me with every post.

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  4. Sleepless over here so I happened to check in at 3 a.m....maybe I can go back to sleep now that I know you are still with us here in blogland. The world is a better place with you in it sharing your stories:)

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  5. Yea!! I don't blame you one bit for feeling sick about the YouTube video, or for wanting to be more cautious. You truly have a gift through this blog, and it is obviously making a difference in the lives of many, many people. Thank you for continuing to share your beautiful family with us.

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  6. SO glad you've decided to continue blogging! I was checking in several times a day this week, and was geting worried... :-)
    With precautions, hopefully
    you'll be able to protect your photos and stories.

    Jen, you've provided so many smiles to me during some really dark days in my life the past 2 years. I'm so glad you've decided to continue sharing your wonderful life with us.
    hugs

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  7. I'm driving through Denver right now and I can't tell you how happy I am that you are back! WOOHOO!! The people need you. I need something to read when I'm ignoring my kids on this car trip!

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  8. I wanna read about organizing the clothes and shoes!!! :D

    ~Cindy! :)

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  9. Well, I just checked your YouTube, and you haven't posted anything for 2 months, it said.

    I wouldn't worry about YouTube comments too much - if you look at ANY video, there are TONS and TONS and *TONS* of mean, rotten, vile comments. Only about 1/10 are nice comments. That's how it is on YouTube. I guess some people have nothing better to do than leave that disgusting stuff! :"( I don't no why they do that. It is sad. :( I think there IS a way to moderate comments, though...

    I DO no I wouldn't want YouTube to go away, because there are so many intersting things on there! :D I gave up TV!!! YouTube is better!!! :D I am *AMAZED* at all the things I have learned from YouTube videos! :D

    ~Cindy! :)
    ..

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  10. Yay! I knew you wouldn't go away. ;) This post is so well-put. I think you are doing a great thing with this blog. Keep up the great work!

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  11. I agree! Enough said....

    Thanks for coming back.

    Nicole

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  12. Yay, you're staying! The only negative I see to it, personally, is that you are costing me a lot of money with your "Favorite Thing Fridays." I have loved every item so far!

    Have you considered putting a watermark on your photos so crazies can't steal them?

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  13. I'm glad you here. My twins are 27 but I still love to read your stories about the kids. You have such a great outlook on life. I read parts of your cross country trip to my husband who use to stress about taking our two just to town.

    I am sorry there are creeps and bullies in this world who have to turn the internet into an ugly place.

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  14. Yippee! I'm so happy to read this post. After reading your last post, I was so sad to think that your blog might be coming to an end...I didn't want to post a comment & beg you to continue (which is what I really wanted to do) because I understand your fears and want you to do whatever you feel comfortable with. So I am so happy you decided to continue!
    I should have posted long ago to thank you for your blog. I started reading your blog b/c I'm dealing with IF, and your posts have given me laughs and inspiration during some dark days...you have a unique voice and I love reading your thoughts on everything from home organization to family dynamics. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!

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  15. Hi Jen,

    I'm so happy you were able to come to a decision you feel comfortable with. I look forward to reading about your continuing adventures.

    -Christine

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  16. YAY, you're keeping it public! What do you mean by adding safety features that will better protect the images that you upload? I would love to know how to upload pictures that people cannot copy and save.

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  17. im so glad you'll continue blogging. =] i check your blog everyday! ^^ you inspire me in so many ways..

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  18. Jen,
    i am so glad that you are going to continue this blog. I always Loved reading your post on the ducky board and now here. You have a wonderful way with words and somehow always can put the feelings and frustrations I am facing with my three into words. You Favorite things are also costing me a ton too. I LOVE the bar mops. So does my husband he didn't care what they cost they are the best. It is sad that our world is the way it is. I am scared for my girls that is for sure. But you do a wonderful job in protecting yours and you will continue to do that.
    Heather CA

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  19. Glad to hear you are going to continue. I really enjoy your blog and you crack me up often. Raising children is an adventure and you make it funny!

    Darlene
    Wyatt & Paige 6
    Claire 5

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  20. Amen sista. I can again sleep at night knowing amazing trips will be there in the morning!!
    Ps i have that label in my family too. yucko

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  21. I deeply appreciate all the work you put into this blog, and your openness about sharing your life and that of your family. Even without children of my own, your writing is a tremendous inspiration. Thank you!

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  22. I am glad you're back! I appreciate your blog so much. Somedays I feel down and overwhelmed with life and I'll come here and read your blog and I feel so much better. I know there are programs out there on the net that will protect your photos and videos from being saved and copied. I hope you can find out where to get those programs and it will give you piece of mind.

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  23. I did not comment about the last post; I felt you needed to do what was right for you and your family. But I am so relieved that you are still going to blog. Reading your stories makes me laugh and cry and gives me hope. You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us on the internet.

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  24. Oh, what a relief! I have been checking back for a couple of days now and I thought since I hadn't seen a new post, that you went private. So glad you're still here!

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  25. I am so glad you're staying!

    Can you share with the rest of us how to keep our families safe by watermarking our pictures?

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  26. Yeah, yeah, yeah! So thrilled you are gonna stick around.

    The way you expressed your thoughts was so eloquent.

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  27. Grand your not going anywhere. I found your blog recently and I am throughly enjoying it. Totally understand your worries. Best Wishes.

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  28. So glad you have decided to stay. I have only just discovered your blog and think that your journey is great.

    Tracey

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  29. So glad you have decided to stay. I have only just discovered your blog and think that your journey is great.

    Tracey

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  30. What everyone else said - DITTO!! I'm glad you are sticking with us.

    I also wanted to say kudos to you for keeping Henry close so you can nurse. I nursed my first until she was 21 months old (I was pregnant - oh goodness, that was no fun) and my younger daughter is still nursing happily at 16 months. I have heard a lot of flack leveled at moms for nursing toddlers, but it's such an awesome gift. So, kudos to you for keeping it up, and staying public about it! I'm glad we get to stay a part of your amazing trip!

    Cheers,
    Sarah L

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  31. Glad you are back & sharing your journey with us.

    Lorraine B

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  32. Glad to see your back ~ need my triplet fix...wonder if this qualifies as an addiction. Oh well....It's Wednesday. Where are you?? Need that accountability. The Olympics are on!! AND I'm pumped ~ ya never know ~ might qualify it after all! Remember cart wheels on isle 6? ;-)
    Love, Marg.

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  33. well i was very sad about that thought i might not get to have my daily dose of trips...but i did understand if you made that decision...selfishly i am glad you decided to stay on board...:)

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  34. YIPPEE! Thank you for allowing me my daily enjoyment. You are a fantastic writer.

    SCC
    Fairfield, CT

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  35. I'm always impressed by how practical you are, and how you scare everyone with huge possibilities before settling on the most reasonable solution.

    Along the lines of your last post, though, a really interesting book for you to read would be "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin De Becker. Much of the book is devoted to knowing when to use your fear as a tool and knowing when not to fear.

    Not that you seem to have too much of a problem.

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  36. Hip Hip Hooray! Your super blogging saves my day! Oops, sorry...we watched too much PBS this morning. Seriously, though, I cheered OUT LOUD when I typed in your URL this evening and saw your new posts and your decision to keep blogging. Thank you for continuing to share your wonderful wit and wisdom!

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