Across the Pond Archive Page   

Yes, it’s really me. I know y’all have given up hope for me ever posting again but I have really wanted to blog during the past few months. I just couldn’t. For reasons I’ll explain below.

It’s not really about not having things to say, but for me, having the time. The whole Virginia Woolf “room of one’s own” thesis I think can be transferred to blogging by saying “time of one’s own”. Some of the best bloggers, or even the most prolific ones, are blokes. That’s not really being sexist here, btw! I think because men tend to have more free time on their hands—or else they sit in offices with easy access to a ‘pooter in order to dash off a quick post. With a toddler running around and a gazillion things to do during the day blogging becomes low on my priority list. This is a rare time while I’m waiting for a bath to run that I am writing! Nowadays I usually go to bed around 9:30!!! How sad is that?!

BUT the other more important issue for me is privacy. I want to talk about my son and tell the world about how cute he’s being and post the photos to prove it but unfortunately there are enough internet pervs out there and I realize I have to protect him in some way. Over here in the UK, a lot of schools and churches and youth organizations such as Scouts/Brownies aren’t allowed to publish photos online of their charges doing innocent activities because of data and child protection laws; unless the parents say they are allowed to post the photos of their children. I find that sad, but if churches are under those sorts of constraints then what does that say about blogging? The laws have a point about protecting those who don’t have a voice and can’t give permission about what gets put online. I know some of the blogs I read find it OK to post photos and detailed stories about their kids and personal lives. For me, right now, I just don’t feel comfy with that. But Junior is my/our pride and joy right now and consumes everything we do so everything else is just gravy. I just don’t know where “the line” is right now. So hence no blog. I don’t want to shut it down completely but right now I can’t do the whole medium justice. So rather than blethering on about stupid stuff, I’ve chosen to not say anything at all.

I hope you understand and I hope that I can get some perspective from others out there in similar circumstances. Where is “the line” for you, regarding openness vs. privacy, especially where your kids are concerned? Do you worry that any personal information you divulge would be misconstrued by some online creep? Any personal experiences with that? You can email me privately if you prefer. I really want to start blogging again as it’s such an enjoyable, personal part of my life. But I really am in a bind about this.