1. 10 Lessons your child could teach you for a change.
Every once in awhile when my head is just not in the creative space or I’m too tired to type, I look back on previous blog posts to see if I can sneakily re-publish something I wrote in the past. I have to be careful though because if it’s too recent, my current readers might recognize the post so I always look at the comments or check out who linked up for the week. I was excited to see that I had already tackled the “10 Lessons Your Child Could Teach You” prompt three years ago so I scrolled down to see who linked up that week.
There were 15 blog posts linked up to that one and as I hovered over each icon I realized that many had stopped blogging altogether. We had a fun run, but I know how hard it is to stick with this hobby as the years go by. When I saw Another Cookie Please, The Sound of One Hand Typing, and Achieving Clarity…I knew I could not republish that piece because you’ve read it already!
I have had every reason to quit this space. My kids are older now, I can’t (and don’t want to) write as freely about their lives. It’s different when they were five years old and pronouncing words adorably wrong, I have to respect their privacy a little more now. I like to write, but what does the mom of older kids write about? I think part of me doesn’t really know. So my 5 day a week publishing schedule has slowly diminished down to one or two. Where once my blog was quite a bit more personal and heartfelt, it has become more so a humorous distraction. It’s a fun place for me to share recipes and family outings, my love for fostering pets and then maybe a trickle in of some of the funny things my kids say. It’s definitely not as “poppin” as it once was.
And still, you all are here!
You show up for our weekly writing days and we get to touch base and flex our finger muscles. Even when it’s just two or three of us playing along it’s still really nice to have a thing to write and to have some things to read and stay connected. So thank you for being here with me for the long haul! And I’m not just talking about Writer’s Workshop participants, my lurking friends who comment and/or send me emails, my favorite Aunt Diane who has been here since the very beginning.
Thank you so much!
As long as I have you here I think I will keep staying too!
(PS We made it to the Alpaca Farm. Check!)
Patty says
My heart started to sink as I first read your post but I quickly realized how so many of us writers/bloggers aren’t as consistent with sharing our work. Your workshop has always managed to keep giving me a necessary creative “push” to stick with it! Beyond your terrific weekly prompts, I have been plugging-away with my writing and adding same to my website.
We all have excuses. Not enough time, endless distractions, subject matter….takes me back to school and “the dog ate my homework”, etc. Honestly, all of the thoughts that run through our heads, daily experiences, good and bad memories…hey, there’s a story waiting to be told, shared, behind each one!
Thank you, Kat. Thanks for giving us all a place to play!
Kim says
I couldn’t agree more, and I think I’ll stay, too! (I ought to; I keep making new blogs!) I hate that blogging wasn’t what it once was. I was never really a “mom blogger” – my sons were tweens when I started blogging, and I reached the point of protecting their privacy a good five or so years before most of the other blogs had to think about it.
I still miss when it was more personal, though. And we all got to know each other through our blogs. I know the different social media platforms make accessibility and interaction so much easier, but there’s also so much we miss when the latest algorithm decides we don’t need to see posts from this person or that anymore. I miss the good old days, and keep hoping blogging becomes popular again.
So….yeah. I was too late to participate this week, but have an end-of-summer wrap-up coming soon at the new blog I just launched! I hope to be able to participate more often. I *think* life might be easing into a place where I can do that again.
Kim says
My blog was mostly about the challenges with The Boy. But for several years, he has asked (or maybe demanded) that I not write about him. And I’ve listened to his concerns, and have respected his privacy. I wish there was a place where I could vent, mentor, educate, get tips about parenting an adult – I guess I’ll have to talk to myself to get over the hard spots.
Your children are lovely, and I’ve enjoyed watching them grow. I’ve missed a lot since I have slacked off. I’d hate to see you go away. And I was gone for quite a while. But now, I’m back. I have things to say that have nothing to do with The Boy. I am an old lady, and I don’t have a filter, and don’t care if anyone likes me – a dangerous combination. I can’t wait to offend someone! :)
Mama Kat says
testing
John Holton says
Also testing.