I am considering going private with my blog. For some reason this is a very hard decision for me that I have thought about for a long time! On one hand, I don't want to exclude people because I have family members and friends that have specifically thanked me for not going private because they can quickly check the blog without logging in or worrying about their invitation expiring! On the other hand, I really like the idea of knowing who is all reading my blog and having some control over the fact that only a group of people that I consider safe will be looking at pictures of my children and reading about our lives. I also realize that my blog can be a witness to people who happen accross it, but is that worth it for the risk? I would love to hear some feedback from both those of who who have gone private and those who haven't. Even if you don't have a blog yourself but have an opinion as a reader, let me know how you feel about the issue and why so I can have some help making my decision!
Sunday, July 20
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Hi Brandi. I have been checking in on your blog for a while now... I am Erica's sister in law's sister in law (does that make sense???? Petara Panabaker's sister in law). My blog is private although sometimes I wish it weren't... there was a person looking at it that I didn't want to see it. SO I had to go private. I have "met" lots of people through blogging so I wish it were open to meet more, but at the same time I like the security of knowing who sees it. Especially because I have young kids. So I don't know if that helps you at all... I guess I am for it since I'm private myself, but there are definate advantages to both. Just do what you feel is the right choice for you and your family, and your sanity. It definately will give you more peace of mind.
Hi Brandi,
I guess the thing I think about when considering going private is that you don't know who all checks your blog.
For me, I've been AMAZED at how many random people tell me they check my blog (they're people I've known throughout my life). Just today I ran into Tara Forster from Prov, and she told me she always checks it. So the thing with going private is that you don't know all the people who you'll be cutting off that you actually care about.
Hey Brandi!
I've been having the same struggle as you...I was looking over some of my past posts and realized how personal and intimate some of them were...how much detail about Kallie and our life are in those posts. It's a little unnerving to think that absolutely anyone in the world could be looking at that kind of information! But I've also thought of all the reasons not to go private too...I think to avoid what Mandi was talking about, if you do decide to go private, I'm sure you'll post about it beforehand and everyone who does read it will be able to get the 'invite'...on your approval of course:)
Bottom line, you have to do what feels right for you and your family, and what you think is best for them!!!
I'm still debating....but we'll see:)
I've really enjoyed being private - and throughout this year I've had several people email me for an invite, who've maybe looked at my blog in the past and now miss reading it. I also just made sure I sent an invite to all those family members who maybe didn't read my "going private" post...that way they for sure got invited. I recommend going private - but I also know how you feel abot going private and possibly leaving someone out. I like knowing the 80+ readers I have on my list...its more freeing, and I feel like I'm writting to only a group of people, instead of the WHOLE WORLD! Good luck with making the decision - and know that I'll for sure want an invite if you decide to do the private thing! :)
i wouldn't go back to not-private ever again. i love that i can write or post pictures of whatever i want and i know exactly who is reading it. the thought of someone being able to right click on a picture of Kamryn & then have it on THEIR computer & i don't even know who they are was really scary for me. now i know i am safe to post whatever i want. but i do understand what you are saying about meeting new people. i'm sad that new people can't find my blog...but if i find a blog i really like, i invite those people anyways. and it was a good trade for me - safety for Kamryn versus meeting a few new people...you know? but do what you feel right doing! :)
Brandi, I went private over a year ago and it just makes me feel so much better since I know who is reading it. Wendell also was much happier when I went private. I can talk about stuff like going away for a week end and know who will know about it. Before when I talked about stuff like that I was always nervous as to who was reading it. And even now that I am pregnant, I am free to talk about what I want now and not have to worry. I hope that you will be able to make the right decision for you and your family. I would love to be a reader if you do go private.
thanks for all of your comments guys! It is really helpful with deciding, and I am definitely leaning towards making the blog private.
Christine - Scott also would prefer if it was private (I guess maybe that should be reason enough . . .) and I never thought of it that if you write that you're going away people could use that info against you!! Yikes! Luckily no break-ins yet!
And Janelle - you really helped me put it into perspective that your family's safety comes first.
Mandi - your reason for not going private is mine exactly, I guess it would just bother me to cut people out that I know from school or whatever, but that didn't know me well enough anymore to be "brave" enough to ask for an invitation. Hmm, and what about people that want an invitation but don't know my email address and only find out I went private after it's done?
Hi Brandi, My reason for going private was much the same as Christine's.... I just feel comfortable knowing who is reading it.
About the people wanting invites and not knowing your email... You can change the address of this blog, and then put up a message on your old address with your email and stuff saying you went private... that's what I did, and I think alot of the other girls did as well, i just don't remember how it all works, but I am sure someone remembers.
I too would like an invite if you do go private. My email is klassencg@hotmail.com
I don't think I have invited you to mine either, so if you give me your email I can give you one if you like.
Sorry for the long comment!
hi, my name is Verna, private is a good idea when there are kids involved, who cares if it takes a bit longer to access.
Hi Brandi! I've done both, actually....I was private for quite a while, and I liked that I knew exactly who was reading my blog (it was a very small handful I think) anyhow I found it nice to know, especially since I post a lot of pics of T&N on there!Now I have un privatized and I have found it to be alright as well...I go back and forth on this one..>if I notice on my blog tracker that I have a lot of ppl visiting whom I don't know, those are the times when I really consider privatizing again..it's a scary thing these days where kids are involved..you can never be too safe! I love reading your blog (I found it through Erica and Amber about 6 or 7 months ago) I also hear you on being a witness to others through your blog....Hopefully you'll be able to make the choice that works best for you!!
I like going private because with us out of the country we know who is reading it. I do miss random comments though and find that I have even less people leaving messages now that I am private. But it's not all about comments. I just like knowing my family is safer and that I can really be real with what is going on in my life.
At this point, I won't consider going private. I have met so many moms through blogging, and with over 100 hits per day, I would have a hard time cutting them off.
I also use my blog to make money and share cool products that I have found. So, I would lose all of that if I went private.
Obviously there are advantages both ways. If you really do feel uncomfortable with a public blog, then change it. But I am quite comfortable where I am.
Think of all the 'famous' blogs out there. Some of the ones I read have hundreds of readers everyday. They post about their children, and all the details of their lives. I have never heard of any of them having trouble.
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