Well. That’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it?
But I suppose it is a little (just a little). This will be the last ever post on Mothering Mushroom. I could have just drifted off silently, as many blogs do, but this has been such a blast that I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye.
The decision to stop writing here has been a long time coming, and various things this year have made me rethink more and more both how much of Mushroom’s life I share online, and the amount of time and energy I can afford to invest in various parts of my life. The start of this year has been particularly challenging, and something (well, more than one thing but we’re talking about this, now…) had to give. Coupled with the fact that Mushroom is becoming an increasingly private person as he grows (he recently turned five) and more and more often tells me firmly “No”, when I ask whether I can share something he’s said, I decided it is time to press the stop button here.
I’ll continue to write Mushroom’s annual letters but these will be kept private from now on, only for me to look back on, and to share with Mushroom when he’s older. The rest – the reviews, the snippets of conversation, my personal parenting thoughts… All of this will stop, now. I’ll miss it. From my first ever post, I’ve always been warmed by the response to this little blog and I’m so grateful for the online mother sister friends I’ve made here, many of which I now even see in real life, too (you know who you are)!
If I feel on occasion to still write on my experience of parenthood, you will most likely find it in the form of more essays over at Raising Mothers. Otherwise, I do also write about writing, creativity and personal development (with an occasional ‘life lesson’ via my son) over on my business blog, Writing.People.Poetry.
So, maybe I will see you around? But from Mothering Mushroom, I’ll end with one of his favourite expressions… “We’re over & out”.
Sad to see you go but I can’t fault your reasoning! Glad that blogging (and Mel!) brought us together and that we’ve been able to connect.
Glad we’ll still be able to find you online in other places though X
Oh yes Tinuke you’ll still find me in plenty of other spaces online! 🙂 xx
I’ll miss your blog hon, but totally understand. Sending lots of hugs your way xxx
Thanks love. Will reply to your email later this week! x
Sounds like exactly the right decision although I’ll miss this blog. Glad it’s been such a positive place for you over the years. Thankfully I’ll still get to read your beautiful poems and words elsewhere though, not to mention hopefully meeting you in person again. xxx
Nice to meet you and goodbye all at once! This is really interesting to me as I am trying to finding the focus and balance in my blogging life with a nearly 2 year old. He is saying so much now and I’ve starting posting those funny things on facebook and I’m asking where the line is posting about him on my blog. He is too young to tell me his opinion.
I will be checking out your other blogs!
Nice to meet you too Kamsin! It’s a tricky balance isn’t it? And it changes as they grow, I’ve found. But it’s different for everyone…. Hope you enjoy the other blogs! 🙂
I completely understand your reasons. I have found since both my boys have started school, that it is harder to feature them on my blog for one reason or another, and while I will feature them (for now) it is secondary to my food posts.
Good luck with your life outside of blogging x x
Ah, I read this when you first posted it. Sad to see you’re stopping parent blogging but I think it happens to all of us once our kids reach the age where they become aware we’re sharing things about them. I know I stopped when me eldest understood what I was writing and it became uncomfortable to express her feelings online.
Good luck with all your other bits and pieces. You’ll be fab! X
Thanks Chrissie! Yes, Mushroom has understood that I’ve been writing about him for a while now and has become more specific about what I can and can’t share… I’m leaving the blog up for now but may make it private if he doesn’t want it up as he gets older…. Thanks for stopping by and commenting! x