Comments on: Tip #17: How not to bore your friends on social networks

By: Kristen Holden

Kristen Holden — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 07:20:48 +0000

1. I find labor fascinating and ugly and beautiful, despite having not been in it (on the outside anyway) and I think it’s frankly sadly old-fashioned for women (and dads-to-be) to keep mum about such a “taboo” experience that we’ve all been through at least once.

On the other hand, if you’re a boring writer you’re just gonna bore people. Topic hardly matters.

By: ShadeShaman

ShadeShaman — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:49:26 +0000

Puh-leez. There’s an assumption here that the status updates of non-breeders are intrinsically, somehow, more interesting than reading about what young human beings are doing. “I need a beer.” “Show tonight at____ bar.” “Celebrity Death du Jour” “I’m on a vacation that you will never be able to afford”–every status update can be perceived as wonderful or as boring, depending upon the reader. Since my FB friends are FRIENDS, I do like to read about what they (and their kids, dogs, crows, cats, bandmates, etc.) are doing. I also like to share what my kids and pets and bandmates and I are doing.
I don’t see the point in telling parents that we need to censor ourselves in order to mollify others. Should I tell my friends who are going on tour with Dethklok not to post too many updates, in fear of boring other FBers? Why should we parents hide the simple fact that we think our kids are great? Why should we hide our love and pride for our kids?

By: Jill Mizota

Jill Mizota — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 23:11:39 +0000

Another option is Plumkeeper (www.plumkeeper.com). Think of it as a more private version of Facebook where you keep a family journal and only allow your close family and friends to see it.

By: top-c

top-c — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:49:35 +0000

FB asks, “What’s on your mind?” My son is on my mind the majority of the time. I’m not going to make up something else to fit in with the non-parents that are my FB “friends.” Most of my real friends on FB are also parents, and they do actually care what me and my kid up to, as I do for them. Like pp said, anyone who doesn’t care is more than welcome to hide me or de-friend me.

By: Tegan and Tage

Tegan and Tage — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:21:46 +0000

I don’t know what’s funnier, the fact that we all know people who do this, or the fact that they don’t even seem to realize how MUCH they do it. My solution? Start my own blog, hahaha, so read at your own risk…

By: Lorrie

Lorrie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 03:14:32 +0000

It’s my twisted hobby–writing about my kids, and it’s a good tool. “Be nice to your mother,” I say to my sassy 17 year old, “Or, I’ll blog about you.” He snarlls–in a cute kind of way. “and” I add, “Then I’ll post my link on your facebook page.”
His jaw drops. “Moooom.”
Okay, I’m kidding, but only by a molecule.
So my fb friends/ enemies, can read me or hide me, or dump me if they really want. But a little bragging or bitching about one’s kids is to be expected from time to time. Thanks for the site. nice topic for contemplation.

By: Caroline

Caroline — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:23:05 +0000

I do my Facebook updates like Star Trek captain’s log updates. I am the Captain, my husband the Chief Engineer, and my son the Pilot, since he dictates a lot of what we do and where we go now.

“Captain’s Log, star date 09-23-09: Today, the pilot and the Chief Engineer spent the day in the park quadrant training to use the new equipment, like the swing and small slide. The Pilot thinks sand would be a good addition to the Mess Hall menu. I’m not so sure, since he stored a lot in his shoes when he came home, and its not that appetizing. Also, he found it quite itchy in his standard issue undergarments.”

This lets me boast about my son’s latest “cute moment” with a bit of humour to engage people who may happen across it. People get a kick out of them.

By: Jodi B

Jodi B — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:28:33 +0000

Quite frankly, I don’t care if I am boring people. If you don’t care about it, “hide me” or don’t follow me. I don’t follow what my old college and high school friends say/do any more because I don’t care about the way they are living their lives.

By: RookieMom Heather

RookieMom Heather — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:49:10 +0000

I remember a bit from a comedienne who said that when parents say "you're never going to believe what my baby did," that its almost Never True. All those milestones (rolling over, steps, talking etc.) are pretty much expected. So, unless your child is a 10-pound-still-swaddled valedictorian at Harvard, she's gonna believe you. And for those "I want to sell my children" moments, there's truumomconfessions.

By: TA Mom

TA Mom — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:12:14 +0000

LOL. I’ve been guilty of this despite the fact that I’m an older mommy who had to listen to friends’ tales when I was still single. Bottom line: I should know better. Thanks for the reminder.