To Post or Not to Post
The first time I was a part of a discussion surrounding a parent’s choice not to post pictures of their children, I remember being taken aback. Not at their choice, but because this is something I’d never even considered. It NEVER crossed my mind not to share the moments of my little’s life or the reasons why a parent would choose not to. So I asked myself why this was something I felt so innately comfortable with. Here’s where I landed.
Promo shot from 2006 when I was a Reporter for Star! Daily.
(The photographer was the guy who shot the bikini girls in the newspaper and assured me this was a great pose)
I’ve been on TV for about 17 years. In that time I’ve shared so many phases of my life through my work. I began my career fresh out of college, travelling the world hosting a children’s music television show. Finding my footing and fumbling my way through all of it for a national audience complete with questionable hair and wardrobe choices. Then to a daily entertainment show where I was immersed in the world of interviewing movie stars and working red carpets. Once again, I was in uncharted waters. While a lot of that was pre-social media and therefore less “permanent” (unless you recorded it on a VHS like my parents did and have kept to this day,) it was me sharing my life and experiences and I enjoyed it.
In more recent years, and in the era of social media, Randall and I shared getting engaged and the lead up to our wedding. Our wedding, like many, had a hashtag and pictures were broadcast on T.
Then came the baby announcement! We had so much fun brainstorming how we’d share the news. I posted bump updates all through my pregnancy and then of course, when Beatrix made her arrival into the world, she made her debut on Instagram on the same day. About a week after Bea was born my husband showed me the account he’d made in her name and the posts he’d been putting up. I had no idea and of course cried when I saw it. For me it’s a digital scrapbook of her little life so far and I often scroll back down her page when I’m feeling nostalgic.
Click HERE to see Bea’s page
All this to say, I guess I never considered whether to share or not because for most of my adult life, it’s what I’ve done in various forms and mediums. It’s why I wanted to start this site because sharing is how we as people connect. Countless incredibly kind people have reached out to say they love seeing Bea grow up and have thanked me for sharing a little bit of her with the world. I’ve also had so many of you who also have children ask me questions about sleep training, or potty training or what she’s eating/reading/wearing. If my little family can bring a smile or help someone out, well I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t feel good.
As for Bea, when she’s old enough I’ll ask her if she’s ok with it. And if she’s not, we’ll stop - no questions asked. But for now, I’ll keep posting my girl because she’s a little bit of magic and I’m one proud Mama.