Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Control Orders

[This was a beautifully topical title when I first planned to write this entry. The entry is composed in my head while showering most mornings but even the residue is gone by the time a small boy is in bed and I get to the computer.]

After I started this blog I was, naturally, fired with excitement about all the things I was going to write about. I have lots of things of a non-world-shattering nature that are still a big deal in my daily life that I want to talk about and think about (with help). I hit a problem: they were all things I would have had a problem with my husband, Eb, posting on his blog.

About a year ago I was concerned about the things he was putting up for all and sundry to read. I didn't 'get' the blog thing. I was paranoid, privacy conscious and generally obstructive and controlling. I may have ranted. At least I managed to realise my double standard before putting things up but it means I haven't posted for a while.

We haven't yet resolved the problem of what things about each other and our son should make it to the world via a blog. I don't think the answer is that just that because I now want to blog too it is all OK. I do have some privacy concerns, particularly when it comes to Son One. By virtue of age he has no say in this, no ability to participate or reply, and a blog could (although unlikely) hang around as a record for some time. I am sure other people have thought about the privacy and family thing with blogging - any ideas?

I have seen a couple of blogs by couples but this isn't going to work for us. Pseudonyms are obviously in use already (no consensus on one for our son though). I know my family will read the blog intermittently and others who know us will too. Strangers might by accident.

As a PK I know how awful it was to worry about having your life appear as a sermon illustration. Are cute anecdotes on a blog any different? Any wisdom gratefully accepted.