30 October 2012

Over Sharing

Babies and poop are synonymous with each other, as every parent knows. Hell, even those without children know that babies are miniature turd machines.

Having a naked baby is just asking for an accident to happen as I learned tonight.

If a baby's gotta go, a baby's gotta go, and that's just what Natalie did during her bath this evening.

I texted my sister afterwards and said, "Natalie just pooped in the tub for the first time. Should I post a picture of it on Facebook, or do you think people would appreciate it more if I personally emailed it to them?"

My text was not meant to be taken seriously, in case sarcasm doesn't read well through the internet. I know that no one outside of me and husband want to hear anything about my child's bowl movements, ever.

There are parents who think that the whole world needs to know every disgusting fact about their child's bodily functions though and they happily share those details thanks to social media.

Besides being mentally damaging to the person who gets a photograph or written description of someone else's kid's poop, puke or snot in their news feed, it shows how self involved people are.

It seems so arrogant to think that 400 of your closest Facebook friends want to know about every daunting, disgusting or insignificant aspect of your child's life.

Sure, you can argue, "If you don't like what I post, then unfriend or unsubscribe from me."

It goes beyond what other people think and into how it may affect your child one day. Some of the things parents put out there are flat out embarrassing and should simply be kept quiet.

I.E.: Announcing your pre-teen daughter just got her period, or posting pictures of your potty training toddler with crap running down their leg because they couldn't make it to the toilet in time.

Who knows if those posts will ever come back to bite your child in the ass? Chances are that by the time your kid can read or has access to the internet everyone will have forgotten about your disturbing information or your account with said post will be long gone.

Think about it though, would you have wanted your parents to announce your most awkward and uncomfortable moments while growing up to all their friends and plenty of strangers with pictures and great detail?

 Would you want  to share private information about what you do behind closed doors with everyone about yourself now? Consider your child and how they might feel before hitting the "post" button to get a few "likes" or comments.

There's a controversial blog, STFU, Parents that's dedicated to over sharing parents. The site is submission based and it's content is taken from personal Facebook or Twitter accounts (nothing is from blogs, don't worry).

A lot of people criticize the author and accuse her of attacking "proud parents".

 Before you make any harsh judgments, you should really spend two minutes on there to asses things for yourself. I warn you though, some things cannot be unseen.

What are your thoughts? Do parents need to STFU on social media or is it their right to say whatever they want?


12 Thoughts :

Mama October 31, 2012 at 12:34 AM  

I know I had something intelligent to say... but then I saw that black and white picture of Natalie and my ovaries started screaming in my ears. I blame you.

Stephanie October 31, 2012 at 8:41 AM  

Ha, we had our first experience with the tub incident a few weeks ago too. Bleh. I guess parents have every right to share what they want, but I do find it pretty annoying on FB when they tell every little thing their kid did, how many times they woke up during the night, if their baby is constipated, when they nap, etc. It's like, who cares? But if they want to share, by all means. The pictures...I think that's taking it a little too far though. She does look pretty cute in the tub, I need to get some tub pictures of Chloe too.

Krista October 31, 2012 at 8:57 AM  

Excellent point about considering how it may effect your child one day. It is tempting sometimes to post about things your child does just to connect with other parents and know you are not alone, that others experience these same things too but due careful consideration should indeed be practiced.

Good Lord who talks like that? I sound like a dork. Simply put, I agree.

Megan October 31, 2012 at 9:15 AM  

I think parents over share. I've seen parents post pictures of their kid on the potty and you can pretty much see ALMOST everything. I know your child is 2. I know your potty training. I don't want to see your kid on the toilet though.

Also...this is a whole other topic but goes with embarrassing your kids. I have a huge problem with the whole trend of making your child hold a sign and taking a picture to post on the internet to "teach them a lesson." You shouldn't have to go embarrass your kid to teach them a lesson, and frankly I wouldn't think you would want to.

I don't over share on dirty or embarrassing details on facebook. I don't let the world know when one of my kids goes potty for the first time in the toilet. BUT I do over share with photos. Or atleast some may think that. And that's where the whole if you don't like it unfriend me thing goes for me. My kids are my life and people are going to see a lot of photos of them if they are facebook friends with me. Some people don't like it (I've never been told that) and to those people...they can unfriend me. :)

There's my essay answer to your question, haha.

Shannon October 31, 2012 at 9:15 AM  

I think there has to be some in between that is right. Do I think parents should show pictures of tub turds? No way. But oversharing is going to happen with social media, regardless if you're a parent or not. If Joe NoKids wants to tell me what he had for dinner, then I think it's fine to tell facebook that Taylor ate a piece of pizza or took her first steps.

Venassa October 31, 2012 at 11:03 AM  

I've never taken a photo of poop, and never will. I agree completely. However, the first time Chloe blew a huge snot bubble, I definitely photographed that one and facebooked it. If I ever blow a snot bubble like that, I give her permission to do the same to me.
You're lucky - Chloe poo'd in the tub like 4 times from newborn to around 6 months. Never lately though.

Sean Marie October 31, 2012 at 11:17 AM  

That's so true! Some people put way too much personal information out there, whether they're parents or not. I think talking about your child's appetite or milestones is perfectly okay too.

Sean Marie October 31, 2012 at 11:24 AM  

I agree. I don't wanna see your kid dropping a deuce while I'm trolling FB and eating lunch.

Yeah, you never know how damaging it could be to embarrass your kids so publicly.

I don't think that posting pictures in general is over sharing, it's just what those pictures are of. 100 pictures of your cute kids playing in the park? Awesome! One picture of your newborns diaper explosion? Not okay!

Ashley October 31, 2012 at 11:50 AM  

I admit that I chuckled a little while reading your post. I enjoy your sarcasm. However, I do get the point. I agree wholeheartedly that personal tidbits should not be posted on internet. I do have several naked pictures of my son and he is only 2 months old, but have I posted it on the internet? NO! No way! It is about the context and appropriateness that you post on the internet. Once it's posted...it will never go away even if you delete it. People don't realize that.

Sean Marie October 31, 2012 at 12:02 PM  

Hahaha, not at all! I agree that it's important for parent's to relate and know they're not alone but be careful what you expose!

marie October 31, 2012 at 1:19 PM  

It's like this, I never minded changing my own kids stinky diapers, but gross to the max when having to change other kids. The same for sharing, all our kids do the same gross stuff, it's bad enough when my kids do it, I love to talk and share in our similar grossness but no pictures, that's just too much.

Sean Marie October 31, 2012 at 2:13 PM  

Ha! Exactly. That's just how I feel. I don't mind talking to other people about (which isn't very often) but I DEFINITELY don't want to see it. Like you said, I don't even like seeing my own kids.