Comments on: Get thee a blog!

By: Fun with Dick and Jane | What About Mom?

Fun with Dick and Jane | What About Mom? — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:11:50 +0000

[...] the interest of following my own advice and in my quest to be more creative, I’ve decided to begin using fake incredibly clever [...]

By: Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria | What About Mom?

Dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria | What About Mom? — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:08:40 +0000

[...] started out as a response to tarable’s comment to my previous post, but it got a bit [...]

By: Grampa

Grampa — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:18:54 +0000

On the Avery-blog topic, I’m very supportive. It pushes you and Tom to be even better parents, and what she learns in cyberspace (including W-2, I suppose) would be priceless. I believe that ignorance is never a strength; it in fact makes one vulnerable.
You’re such a great writer, Shannon, not to mention thinker.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:18:52 +0000

Great essay!
Keep them coming.

By: Marie

Marie — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:18:47 +0000

I totally agree, Shannon. But even if a child starts a blog without all the parental involvement it would be a good thing. I think a reason many teens get in trouble in the first place is that they are repressed and don’t feel they have an outlet for all the things they want to say, and that no one cares about their ideas or opinions. A bog is a great way to just throw everything out there. And, as we all know, having a blog doesn’t necessarily mean anyone’s going to READ the dang thing.

By: tarable

tarable — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:00:35 +0000

Well Shannon, you’ve given all us women lots to think about. I agree with all your reasoning on allowing and helping children keep their own blog. But I don’t think all parents are like you and Tom. Not all parents would use it as a chance to spend more time with their child and as a way to get to know them better and encourage them. Some parents might see it as a way to keep their child independently occupied (like Alden watching Calliou right now while I blog).
And most parents are not as tech saavy as you and Tom. Most pre-teens and teens know far more about computers and technology than their parents now-a-days and their children sometimes take advantage of this and use blogs, chats-rooms, etc. to have their own personal lives, kept secret or hidden from their parents. Sometimes it’s innocent but you know often their are hiding things their parents wouldn’t approve of – to many varying degrees, some of which are pretty scary.
I can understand why some parents would be afraid of their daughter wanting to start a blog. And I respect their right to make decisions for their own family – right or wrong. Isn’t that what free-agency is all about. Even if it limits the agency of your offspring – that’s the responsibility and right of a parent. I have been impressed with how the LDS church has embraced technology – but they are careful to warn about the dangers too. Parents have to do the same.
As for your family – I’m sure Avery, who’s only 6 and not into too many bad behaviors yet, will be encouraged to start a blog and that it will go exactly as you said – with Tom and you spending a lot of time with her over it. I hope Alden follows in Avery’s footsteps someday.