Be aware that anyone and everyone can read your words. The last person you would ever want reading your website will eventually find and read your website.
This advice from Heather Armstrong of Dooce appeared in a Babble.com article on the best blogging tips for mom bloggers. And it sums up why I identify myself only by the pseudonym decafmom. I believe that to be a good blogger, you need to create a sense of intimacy by sharing personal anecdotes and telling an honest, authentic story. (Incidentally, this paraphrases several bits of advice appearing in the Babble feature. Many others warn against saying too much about your kids.) I am acutely aware that my husband’s boss, my mother-in-law, and someday, my kids (and their friends!) could read my blog. That awareness breeds paranoia that personal anecdotes could be misconstrued — or worse, resented — by the people who mean the most to me. If my name were attached, that paranoia would completely paralyze my ability to blog anything. So, I’m just decafmom.
If you know me in real life, welcome! I’m glad you’re here, and I’d be happy to talk about this project in person. But please, don’t tell the internets who I am. I’d like to see where this blog goes.
decafmom 