February 23, 2008 12:28 PM
To my readers
Managing this blog is very much like being the mother of a big family – so many conversations going on at once. I find it all – as I find my daily life going in all directions with my kids – exhilarating and energizing.
But then again, I am an ENTJ so this is a perfect life for me. Not for everyone, for sure. We’ve talked her about different mothering/personality types (Motherhood and Personality Types - I'll rerun that next). There are just as certainly different blogging/personality types.
Just musing on this this morning as I realize I’ve posted 20 entries in the past two days. There are several reasons for this: My broken wrist slowed me down tremendously – and was actually kinda depressing. Plus I went to Seattle for a couple days (plus two travel days) to see Greta. In the meantime – though I sifted and sorted each day – my Inbox grew to 150+ emails that needed some kind of attention.
I am SO grateful for all of your input, questions, and opportunities to serve. I pray that my Inbox is always full. I love what I’m doing and love having a forum where we can share ideas and work through problems together. Please never hesitate to send me anything you think might serve MommyLife readers. Please never think twice about sending the kinds of questions you’ve been sending since the beginning. Although I may be farther along on the motherhood learning curve than most of you, I continue to learn and grow as I read the comments and encouragement left for each mother who shares here.
I know I publish a lot of material and I hope that is not a turn-off for anyone. Hope you read here guided by the Holy Spirit about what is important for you as an individual to read. I don’t want to monopolize anyone’s time. I’m beginning to see MommyLife as kind of a magazine – filled with different departments and meeting specific interests and needs of many different groups of people.
That said, I want to emphasize how much I appreciate the readership of those of you who do not see eye-to-eye with me on every issue and yet feel no need to boycott the parts that may be helpful. I’m glad you understand that when I log about things that are dear to my heart that doesn’t mean I am putting down other individuals for making other choices. You can be pro- something without being anti- something else. Does that make sense?
We live in an age unparalleled for rich communication opportunities. I am so not about narrow-mindedness. I really think we profit from casting our nets wide and then allowing the Holy Spirit to help us determine the best path for us and for our families. If we are secure in this, then there is no need to be defensive or angry toward those who think differently than we do.
So what do you think? Am I publishing too much material here? Are you comfortable sifting through to see what matters to you? Do you use the Categories or my personal Google search (in the right sidebar) to find other stuff I’ve written on specific topics? Did you know there are over 2300 entries here and nearly 11,000 comments? That’s like having a mothering encyclopedia on your bookshelf.
I still have 30 emails left to go. And am launching two exciting projects here next week. Just want to take a minute for some feedback from you. If you have any suggestions or comments, please let me know.
Posted in Blogging | Permalink
Comments
I think you should continue to publish just as you are doing. I have no problem skipping over parts that aren't of interest to me right now or that I don't have the time to read. I like being able to come back and look articles up as I encounter new things along my way through the mothering journey.
Thanks for what God does through you to encourage us!
Alicia in MO
Posted by: alicia | February 23, 2008 1:25 PM
Barbara, I'm a reader who doesn't see eye-to-eye with you an some issues, but I still enjoy reading your perspective, and your mothering information has shaped so much in my life with my child. Keep it all coming! -- Amanda
Posted by: Amanda | February 23, 2008 1:42 PM
Post as you have time and motivation! I use bloglines so I always know, in advance, whether you've posted just one post or several. In all honestly, I don't always read everything, but I read most of your posts in their entirety. And though we don't see eye to eye, we do serve the same Lord and Savior and I find much to ponder here in the things that we don't quite agree on. That's a good thing, no?
Posted by: Cheryl (Copper's Wife) | February 23, 2008 1:51 PM
Barbara, I think you do perfectly fine with the way you blog. Sometimes I read everything you post, sometimes I skip over things that aren't really of interest to me. Sometimes I even go back and find an article that didn't appeal the first time around because situations change or I meet someone who would be interested.
Many of your blog posts have opened my eyes to things I wouldn't normally read about, like Down Syndrome. I never really had an opinion -- or thought -- on DS until I began to read your blog, but I have laughed and cried with you plenty of times as you write about your darling sons.
Keep writing just as you have been. Obviously you are doing something (lots of something) right -- look how popular this blog has become!!
(Oh, and update MizReport! I have it in my RSS reader. :)
Posted by: Michelle Potter | February 23, 2008 1:56 PM
first of all i have to share that i have been down with the flu the past few days so blogging and reading for me has been slim. having said that when i logged on and saw TWENTY posts from mommylife i whistled and said "whoaaaa mama!" just loud enough for my youngest to hear me and repeat me. dang girl but you have been busy! i'm glad because i always enjoy reading your blog.
barbara already knows but i will share that i am one of her faithful readers who doesn't always see eye to eye on a few things. we have enjoyed what i hope is a healthy exchange when we have disagreed. frankly i am thankful for an on line friendship like that which i share with her. i try to raise my children to be thinking individuals, to have good moral values and strong beliefs and to know what and why they believe what they do and to be able to articulate those to others. they know too well that people with opposing views can co-exist and even love and respect one another as they have their parents as proof of that. the way that i see it is that God has created us to be different from one another as well as to be thinking individuals but we still must always obey His greatest command while living together in this lifetime in this world. i am so thankful for barbara and her gift to us all through this blog!
muuuaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!
Posted by: laura | February 23, 2008 3:29 PM
I love when you post... if there is too much for me to read in one sitting, I just come back later:)
Posted by: Emma | February 23, 2008 4:06 PM
There can never be too much MommyLife.
Posted by: the other Amy K. | February 23, 2008 4:53 PM
Ditto all of the above. I read all of your posts ( some I may just skim) Yours is the only blog that I can say this of. Sometimes I have found a great interest in things that were not previously interesting to me. I have changed my mind on at least one very significant issue after being challenged by some of the thoughts you have so eloquently expressed.
You do it so well SO PLEASE KEEP ON DOING IT!
Posted by: Clare | February 23, 2008 7:01 PM
Keep it up! I love it when you post a lot.
I admit I do skip over some posts, but I get so much out of this blog. It is unbelievable!
You give me so many things to think about, try, think more about, revisit, talk about with my husband and friends. I believe that you have made me a better mother, wife, citizen, and daughter of God.
We haven't conversed much at all, but I have gotten so much from you. I am an Introvert which may explain my lack of conversing. Btw...thanks for the personality post.
I can't wait to hear you talk in March. In fact, if you have some free time, I would love to have you over.
Posted by: Lisa | February 23, 2008 7:34 PM
I am a "newbie" to your blog since last Fall. I was initially drawn to your blog when you announced your journey back to Catholicism. I am now a faithful reader via google-reader and have enjoyed all the entries. I find myself doing searches through your categories and forwarding posts along to friends that I think may benefit. So thankful I "stumbled" upon your blog through Danielle Bean's blog.
Posted by: Margaret | February 23, 2008 10:46 PM
Love it. . .Love it. It's like candy for me--especially helpful during this Lent! And so much better for my soul. ;-)
I, too, find myself skipping some posts which do not seem to be pertinent to me right now. But, I confess, to more often than not going back at naptime or after bedtime to read those very posts which I skipped on my almost daily morning visit to your blog.
I love the panoply of post topics and, most of all, the freedom with which you express your thoughts in this forum. Bravo.
Posted by: Fran | February 23, 2008 11:52 PM
Be what you is. Post what you want. You never know what might be just the thing somebody needs to hear. ;)
Posted by: Kim | February 24, 2008 12:40 AM
I read almost everything you post, unless I get behind for some reason. Some things I skim, although not much. I love reading about your family life, your spiritual journey and obviously, the mothering posts. You have been so influential in my parenting since I encountered you about a year ago. You have been something of a mentor to me, even though we've never met and you have no idea who I am. :)
I have used your categories and search features to find articles about various subjects. I've emailed you a couple of times with questions, but I've usually done at least a cursory search to see if you've already answered my question. And I love the way you have your categories set up with the beginning of each entry. It's so easy to look through!
I love your blog. Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Lucy | February 24, 2008 2:51 AM
I agree with a previous poster - there can never be too much Mommy Life! I have been a reader for a year or so and I am so thankful for the insights and support I have gotten from you, Barbara, and also from commenters. I can always skip over and come back later if I don't have time to read something - but for me, the topics that are less relevant to me are still meaningful because they have helped to establish in my mind who you are and why I respect your opinion. Please never limit yourself; I know that God is using you to encourage many women who may not be able to find that encouragement elsewhere. We can always skip over things you write, but I love it when I wonder, "what would Barbara think about this?" and I can come actually find out instead of guessing!
Posted by: Shelly | February 24, 2008 11:08 AM
I have you on Bloglines and scan the headlines of each post.
I don't necessarily read the posts on Loudon County or those on children with Downs since those issues don't really affect my little world. But, I do read each of your Montessori and general parenting posts with a keen eye and your atheist-evangelical-Catholic transition posts with interest since I am a "denominational mutt" by life history too.
I have never used your Amazon (I have my own LOL), Google search and/or archive features. However, I've been to your other site often.
Hope that input helps!
Posted by: Beth/Mom2TwoVikings | February 24, 2008 11:23 AM
I'm a daily reader, and I don't think you are publishing too much. If it doesn't pertain to me, or doesn't pique my interest after the first paragraph I scroll down to see what else you have to say. I do not use your search to find articles. I just read them all! Keep em coming as long as you are led to do so.
Posted by: Kristin | February 24, 2008 8:13 PM
I love your frequent and varied posts! Very much a fan of the "magazine" feel and love to sift. Thank you again for sharing your life.
Posted by: Keri L | February 24, 2008 10:35 PM
Barbara,
Not too many posts. No way. I come here everyday and learn. Keep posting away.
-Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Best | February 24, 2008 10:48 PM
I agree with you, your site is like a magazine. I get a feed into my google reader. If something doesn't interest me, I pass it by. Or I may star something to read later. Keep posting. Everyone is at a different point in the parenting journey and you never know who needs to hear what!
Posted by: Thia | February 25, 2008 8:35 AM
