I’ve recently been hired to write a blog for a leading parenting Web site, FamilyEducation.com. We’ve been testing and tweaking for the last two weeks and, although the blogs aren’t yet “public” (e.g. linked to from the home page), they do show up on the message boards. Because the postings have basically been tests, I’ve more or less just posted the same content here and there (with a few exceptions and edits).
Today, however, I apparently hit a nerve. One of the readers, apparently upset that the blog postings appear alongside the more serious discussion topics, said (basically) that she would no longer be coming to ParentEducation.com. And, she said others would follow suit if I “keep up (my) inane prattle about the inconsequential minutae (sic) in (my) life.”
First of all I hope she’s okay. Clearly, to be so offended (read the rest of her rant here), she must have been forced to read my post at gunpoint. I’ve heard about these rogue bandits that break into people’s homes and make them read blogs (when all they really want to do is weigh in on life-altering issues like, “Should I force my son to be right handed?” Yes, that’s a true discussion on the site, which was allegedly started by a doctor, but I have my suspicions otherwise.)
Assuming she’s okay, next I owe her a debt of gratitude. Will there ever be a better title for an autobiography (mine, for instance) than, “The Inane Prattle About the Inconsequential Minutiae in My Life”? Holy cow! I don’t care what’s in that book – I’m reading it (or, perhaps in this case, writing it).
There may be, of course, a bigger issue at play here (yes, more than the fact this woman may, in fact, just be slightly off balance and a danger to her community). It once again points to this need for parents to take the whole parenting thing WAY too seriously.
Yes, it’s important to raise well-adjusted kids. Yes, there are very serious subjects that require very serious help. I’m not making fun of those issues or those times when such help is needed. What I am doing, however, is commenting and analyzing my day-to-day life as a dad. Two things I’m reasonably good at: Writing and Fatherhood. When you marry those “skills,” you get this blog. (Which, by the way, was basically “my audition” for the FamilyEducation.com blog. They not only like my inane prattle, but they pay me for it!)
Where’s the harm in bitching about the fact that, as a parent, being sick sucks? This same woman got all bent out of shape about the fact that I not only allow K-Man to wear Nike apparel, but also wrote about it (thereby supporting the exploitation of child workers – a mistake made by Nike years ago and subsequently fixed). She even had a problem with the fact that I referred to K-Man as “the kid.” What’s wrong with that? It’s what he is! Just like Lisa is “the wife,” Harley is “the dog” and I’m “the dad” (or some other less savory descriptions from time to time). I’m forever fascinated by people who are not forced to watch, read or listen to something (people who KNOW they won’t like what’s being watched, read or heard), but they still do it anyway. And, then they complain. Huh?
I certainly don’t expect everyone to like what I have to say or write about. And, if you disagree with something – feel free to start a nice debate about it. Who knows? I might even change my mind. (Stranger things have happened.) But, I have to admit, I was a bit taken back by the truly personal assault of this reader. She doesn’t know me, and though I don’t know her either, I would guess that she fancies herself a left-leaning, open-minded person who decries hate. It’s a shame she doesn’t practice what she thinks she preaches. (Who is to say what’s inconsequential and what’s not? By deciding to sell my Harley – who knows how many lives are affected?)
The real lesson is to make sure you lock your doors and windows. There’s no telling when those “Blog Bandits” will bust into your house and make your read the inane prattle about the inconsequential minutiae of someone else’s life.
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