Virtually Disconnecting

When social networking and blogging became 'the thing to do' a couple of years ago...I was a bit hesitant.  Maybe I'm just old-school that way, but I didn't want everyone in my business.  Why would I want the world to know everything I'm doing all of the time?  I was the last of my friends to join Facebook.

Even after I joined, I posted here and there....but never with any real commitment.  At least, not until Samuel was born.  Then, I felt like I needed to post everything and accept everyone as friends.  "I don't care WHO you are, as long as you pray for my son."

As you know, this blog has also been handy in regards to Samuel.  At first, it was the best way to keep everyone updated on what was happening while he was in the NICU.  When we came home, it became my outlet - sharing the joy I've found in him, the hurts that incurred with his early birth, and the healing I have found over time.  It certainly hasn't been like most family blogs - where the author paints a pretty picture of their family with their words and photos.  Although, I do hope I have conveyed how beautiful our life is and how thankful we are for it.

After a discussion with a friend about the dangers of posting a child's picture all over the Internet, I've considered restricting this blog to family and friends only.  I've also thought about deleting all of Samuel's pictures from FB.....but there isn't much else worth sharing if I don't share him.  Perhaps I will delete my account and leave FB altogether.

It's been on my mind a lot recently.  As my friend so graciously put, "You have protected him from everything else, why not protect him from this too?"  Of course, I feel like she has a valid point.  But a big part of me knows that we have shared this journey with others for a reason.

When Samuel was first born, I searched the web for stories of 24 weekers.  The only blog I could find was the story of Holland and Eden.  Their blog is read by hundreds - it's the go-to for 24 weekers.  I read all six years of their lives in nearly one sitting.  I loved that their mother was honest and open with her readers.  For the first time, I thought, "I'm not alone!  Someone else has gone through similar things and lived to tell about it!"

Occasionally, that will happen with THIS blog.  I'll receive an email, a comment, or a message from another mother who has had a micropreemie and they will invariably say, "I'm so glad I'm not the only one..."  Ironically, I received just such an email this week.

I also hope that this blog is a source of pride for those who have followed Samuel's journey and have invested many prayers.  If God has given us this miracle, wouldn't it be silly for me to say, "Ok God, You saved Samuel from countless near death experiences...but I don't want to share his story because I don't trust You to protect him from the people I share him with?"

All that to say, I'm leaning toward continuing the blog as-is.  But I'd love your opinion.  What are your thoughts about children's pictures and names on social media?