So I was really excited going into today because the fabulous women behind Curvy Girl Guide were posting one of my blog entries, Finding Peace. I read the Curvy Girl Guide often and am truly honored that they chose to use one of my stories for their amazing website.
So I woke up extra early to check the site, logged in and found a host of negative comments. I was shocked! Although in hindsight, I guess I shouldn't have been. When you choose to submit your personal opinions and experiences for the general public's entertainment, you should expect responses of all kinds. Especially when you're talking about Motherhood. Mommies are very opinionated beings. We all have very strong feelings when it comes to the subject of Motherhood. And why wouldn't we? It's a very important subject, and we all should be passionate about it.
What happened was that I unwittingly placed myself in the middle of the Working Mom versus Stay at Home Mom war zone, due to a poor choice of words. After reading the comments, I went in and edited my original blog post so that it would be less offensive towards working mothers. I definitely never intended to offend the Working Mothers. My own mother was (and still is) a working mom, as are my Mother and Sister in law, best friend and so many other women whom I truly admire.
Today taught me a very valuable lesson, one that I probably should have known all along: choose your words carefully and prepare yourself for whatever it is that the people of the world wide web are going to say about it. It's a crazy world out there, people, I'm just trying to live in it.
And on a small side note: As my Life-Guru (don't tell her I called her that- she says it's too much pressure) pointed out, my original blog post really didn't have anything to do with working mothers versus stay at home moms whatsoever. So, with all due respect, if that's all you got out of it, please, please read it again.
Love to you all. And mostly, thank you for reading. Whether you love me, or hate me, agree or disagree; I'm just thankful that you're reading. Your comments, both positive and negative let me know that, at very least, what I'm writing about matters. And at the end of the day, that's all I can ask for. So thanks again.
Until next time.....
3 comments:
It's a slippery slope at time, we writers walk. However, getting reactions, positive or negative, is what I want. Sure, negative sucks but if you felt that you were writing from the heart, well, so be it. It's just like that old adage says, "you're never going to please everyone". And I think that if that's your consciousness, then you take away from your authentic self. (that was so Oprah of me- apologies.) I'm going to read your original now and see what the hullabaloo is all about. I say kudos and brava for putting yourself out there.
Don't let it get to you. We know how hard it is to be a Mother. To me, being a stay at home mom is the hardest thing I've done. The domestic things are a snap, I can cook, clean, change diapers and so on. I find it to be mentally draining. I worked my ass off for my education and career. I find my job rewarding. I've lost that idenity and pride in my self (of course it's replaced by a new pride I found in those bright blue eyes that follow me all day). Personally, (my OWN opinion) going back to work would be easier. Of course I would find a responsible nanny and have the comfort of know my children are safe. I could work, make money (every SAHM needs that), and that sense of pride has returned.
Typing on iPad with two little ones grabbing me, hope it makes sense.
I think no matter how careful you are, when you write online somebody is going to find fault in it. If you don't offend someone with the content, a grammar enforcement officer will take issue with your structure. Or a troll may anonymously stir the pot just for kicks. So I say write from the heart and don't apologize for it. Keep it real and your readers will respond genuinely. If you try to sanitize it it won't connect with anyone, and nobody will care one way or the other.
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