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Blogging About Your Teen: How do you handle privacy issues?

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I was a little surprised by the results from my question on my blog the other day, and then again I wasn’t.

When I asked what people would like to see me write more about, not surprisingly many people said they liked my posts about photos and social media. I say not surprisingly because both of those types of posts have always been well received.

But several people said they’d like to see me write about running (which I have never done, although I have been running for close to 30 years) and quite a few people said they’d like to hear more about….drumroll…parenting teens.

Blogging About Your Teen

There’s a lot of people writing about parenting issues with young kids. But there’s not nearly as many writing about teens. And for good reason! I think it’s harder to write about teens. For one, they tend to be sensitive about what you say about them online. I know I would have been mortified if my mom had written about some of my antics and then put it online for the whole world to see. The other issue is that anything you write is out there forever. Well, maybe not forever (who knows what will change in the future), but for a really, really long time. So I think long and hard before I post something that talks about my teens. After all, it’s their privacy that is at stake, and I want to respect my kids’ wishes to not live in a fishbowl where everyone is looking in at their lives.

I find when I do write about my teens, it’s about these sorts of topics:

Mistakes that I have made: Classic Mom “What Was I Thinking?” Moment

Something I have learned along the way: {Guest Post} Allowing Children Independence Teaches Self Reliance, which was actually written by my daughter last year

Issues that affect teens in general: Youth Sports: Teaching Good Sportsmanship.

If you have teens or tweens, how do you handle writing about parenting in your blog? Do you pretend to be speaking hypothetically? Do you speak about the issue, but not about your child? Inquiring minds (mine!) want to know! Please share!

 

 

 

Dana

Saturday 1st of June 2013

My teen is very supportive of my blog (she's a subscriber!), but if I write about her at all I run it by her first. I only post pictures she approves, and I don't use my kids' real names. I prefer to write about my own experiences and feelings, so they don't usually involve her directly or in a personal way. It is hard to write about a tween or teen without embarrassing them, and that is certainly not my goal. I'm going to check out your daughter's post; mine is going to guest post for me when we are on vacation - I'm excited!

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 1st of June 2013

That is so cool yours is going to guest post for you too! I loved including my daughter's essay and I am sure I will do it again sometime as she loves to write! Thanks for the feedback too -- it's really helpful!

Chris Carter

Saturday 1st of June 2013

I don't have teens yet, but my daughter is now ten and I find myself asking her permission to write certain things that are more personal. I want to respect my kiddos through each turn in my blog, and I don't know how it will eventually unfold when they get older. I love your points about it- will probably do the same!

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 1st of June 2013

I'm so glad I asked the question because it validated how I've been feeling about all of it. I'm not one of those people who can write snarky comments about the teen years but I am just worried about how it will look to them (and reflect on them) down the road. Parenting teens is definitely a challenge but it's such a short time in their lives...they're trying to find themselves and define their place in the world (which of course is a never ending process). I think its important to respect their privacy as much as possible as they go through this journey.

AnnMarie

Friday 31st of May 2013

It's funny because when I was going to quit blogging, it was because my son was going to be in high school and I wanted to give him his anonymity back. He was the first one that encouraged me not to quit. I don't write anything in detail. I might tackle topics that have come up but never in relation to him or if they are in relation to him they are about CF, sports or social media. I wouldn't put anything on there that he would be made fun of or get in trouble for. It is such a touchy subject but raising teens is hard and if weren't for the bloggers that were writing about some of it, I'd feel pretty alone in doing it so for that I am grateful to those who do and the ones that comment on my posts about raising teens because they help me know I'm not the only one that finds it challenging. I'm going to have to start doing that for the twins who are 11. When Belle loses her temper, she always yells, "And don't put that in the blog!" Tommy LOVES being in the blog. Loves reading about himself. Loves to relive the stories.

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 1st of June 2013

My daughter will say don't you dare, but I don't think the boys care as much. Regardless, I'd never want to post something that would show them in a negative light. Most of the challenges with raising teens are so fleeting anyway...they are looking for independence and they are trying to find their own identities. We've got to give them space to do that.

Joi

Friday 31st of May 2013

I can see where you want to respect their privacy. I think I would have hit the roof had my Mother tried to write some freakin blog posts about my teen experiences. Yep, this is a tough one!

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 1st of June 2013

Me too! My mom would have had plenty to write about too! It IS a tough one!

Leah Davidson

Friday 31st of May 2013

I do talk about my teens/tweens/kids quite a bit. But, one of the main reasons I blog is to record our lives and adventures. All my kids actually like it; they often read it. BUT, I am careful about what I choose to blog about and how. I always think "if they were to read this about themselves would they feel they are loved and admired?" I never would want them to feel disrespected. Sometimes they tell me not to blog about stuff, and that's ok. Sometimes I choose not to blog about stuff that I think they would not want to have a record of down the road!!

Michelle Nahom

Saturday 1st of June 2013

I think you've hit it right on the nose...this is exactly the strategy I want to have!!