First off, I’m still here and still writing. Last week’s piece led to some big thoughts about respecting my kids’ privacy and sent me into a tizzy, asking the important question: “Is it okay for me to share their story as it is intertwined with mine, or is it a breach of privacy and boundaries?”
I, of course, spent way too much time bemoaning the fact that I was going to have to stop writing altogether when I finally grew the courage to talk to my kids directly about the dilemma. This should have been the first step and not the last, but consent-based parenting is a lifelong learning session, and I still have far to go.
The little guy was fine with everything. He was happy to share his stories and his pictures far and wide. The older one was a bit more reserved. He’s had experiences where seemingly strangers have commented to him on a picture that was shared on Facebook, and it made him uncomfortable. We talked for maybe half an hour about why I share our stories and what his boundaries might be; what was too much information; and what online privacy meant to both of us.