Blogging & Family
If you’re connected with me on Facebook you’ll know that I’m a bit of a fan of some current Sunday night tele. Over the years some of my favourite televisions shows have included Beverly Hills 90210 (yes, I’m owning that!) and Dawson’s Creek (yep, i loved it!) Friends, Desperate Housewives and the new, New Girl.
Each of those shows has one common theme – they centre around a group of friends who are there for each other time and again, becoming like family for each other. These friends spend each and every day with each other and have what looks like an awesome, fun life together!
I’ve often thought that these shows do a disservice to the rest of us who, living in the real world, don’t get to hang out in coffee shops each day. There have been brief seasons in life (Uni days anyone?) where life has bared some resemblance to this type of comerarderie but for the most, my life has very little to do with what I see on TV. My guess is I’m not the only one.
Maybe I’m stretching a long bow with this but as I have reflected on the blogging community, certainly the one I am part of in Australia, I realised that in many ways, blogging brings this sort of community to life.
We don’t hang out in Central Park; our meeting place is twitter, and we can be found there 24/7. Our lattes come in the form of kind comments. The family is found in the financial and emotional support we offer in times of crisis.
It’s not perfect, and as far as I’m aware there are no scandals or love triangles so again not a true TV comparison (um, thank goodness?!) but it’s a really lovely thing to be part of.
With the Digital Parents Conference coming up next month I’ve seen a number of tweets and updates about bloggers feeling nervous about meeting their friends in person. I can relate, I felt a bit nervous last year myself.
But to those feeling nervous this is what I want to say you don’t need to worry – you’re about to meet your online family.
To the non-bloggers who read this and think I’m nuts, the best way to explain it is imagine that you go to the park everyday and each time you go you see the same people. As the days go by you start to get to know each other, your children play together and you chat…as the weeks go by your conversation gets more personal until the time comes that you are supporting each other through illness, new babies, divorce and death. You look forward to getting to the park each day, eager to see your friends and catch up on news because they are people you “get” and who “get” you. You simply can’t imagine not going to the park. That’s what blogging is like.
With some beautiful blogging buds and our boys.
So blogging and family? They have a lot in common after all.
Is this what your experience of blogging has been like? How would you describe it?
Mummble
Stitch Baby + Kids
*nods* yep totally. I like the park analogy.
I also want Kelley’s necklace in that photo.
Toushka Lee recently posted..Of Funerals and Music and Parades and Stuff
Blogging buddies are different to friends, different to family, but no less important. I haven’t met many, but I kinda like it like that. The times that I have met them it have been super dooper wonderful. x
Maxabella recently posted..52 Weeks of Grateful: Food
Different but important. Love it. Will be looking forward to meeting you in person one of these days lovely xx
Look at those gorgeous mamas with their gorgeous boys… xx
SquiggleMum recently posted..Routine Charts for Easy Starts
Can’t wait to see you in person again beautiful! xx
I haven’t yet met up with anyone (something with my family came up last minute and I missed out on the recent one), but I definitely appreciate the connections I’ve made online.
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Yes, We are Living in a Digital World
Are you going to the conference next month Debbie? It’s super fun meeting in person but the connections made online are just marvelllous x
Unfortunately no. The date clashed with prior commitments. Fingers crossed for future ones!
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Yes, We are Living in a Digital World
Blogging is exactly like that! Looking forward to my first conference next month but also feeling nervous about all those people I’ve chatted with over blog comments which are sometimes much more personal than if I was chatting to a friend or even a sister! Hopefully they forget some of the things I’ve confessed…. ;}. Look forward to meeting you there.
Becci recently posted..Bloggers’ Big Bash
Oh how exciting!! I’ll be looking forward to meeting you now that I know you’re coming :)
One of the biggest reasons I was compelled to start blogging was because I wanted to have the engagement and connection with the community. I totally agree with you on that one. I’ve met a few bloggers IRL too and it’s strengthened the connection. But not everyone was as I expected and whilst I hoped they would be, we are all human and things, our own insecurities, awkwardness, etc, get in the way sometimes. I do remember reading a post about a blogger who was totally hurt and disillusioned meeting one of their idols at last year’s Problogger event. I don’t know the ins and outs of what happened but I can imagine how strange it would be for the “idol” to meet a fervently devoted follower who knows all about their life, and to not know a thing about that follower’s blog. I guess that, and my experience, do temper how I prepare myself for meeting bloggers in future. I’m not an extrovert but I’d still be make an effort to be friendly. I’d just be more prepared not to expect the same back from everyone. I’d love to be at DPCON12 and meet you all, but maybe next time.
Veronica @ Mixed Gems recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – Being Pregnant
Hey Veronica, thanks so much for coming and commenting on this post. So much of what you have said here rings true, I’m really thankful to have made some good friends through blogging but it doesn’t always work out that way. Would love to meet you at an event/conf this year – you are such an encouraging positive voice in the blogging world :)