In Regards to Leaving Comments on Blogs
Jan 24th, 2009 by Cynthia
I have been putting off leaving my own comment here as I wanted to express everything I am feeling very well and it has been hard as everyone’s points have really got me thinking.
When I first started this blog I was overwhelmed and so grateful for all the encouraging comments I received. (Thanks in a huge part to Blotanical and all the amazing bloggers that can be found there!) I wanted to show my appreciation for all of these comments and vowed to myself that I would respond to each and everyone as a way of saying thanks. Sort of like sending a nice little thank you note.
That worked okay for the summer when I had more time on my hands but once school started back up (we homeschool our 10 year old and I am beginning to think about preschool with my toddler) things began to get a bit more challenging. I then began to find myself pulled in too many directions when I decided to start up a little online shop selling my knitted items. I began to feel like I could no longer do it all. At least without staying up way too late at night! Couple all of that with the fact that my husband now has to work many long hours away from home and you find me feeling like I am trying to pull off being Super Mom.
I have been feeling quite torn over this issue as I do want everyone to know just how much their comments are appreciated here. I was actually a little unsure about even posting this poll and in fact had to make myself hit the publish button. I was not sure how it would be received. I can not tell you how much of a relief it is to read that many of you are facing the same dilemmas I have been in regards to blogging. It always pretty amazing to me to read and realize that one is not alone in one’s thoughts.
As of today I am still not sure how to handle the comment issue I feel I am facing. I believe I will still attempt to answer comments when I can. And I will ALWAYS answer a comment when a question is asked within it. I may not answer each and every one like I previously was attempting to do. It was beginning to take the fun out of blogging! I also feel like visiting someone else’s blog and leaving a comment there is a nice gesture as what blogger does not like to receive comments from their readers?
Please let it be known that I truly appreciate each and every comment left here and even though my presence in the blogging world has not been as strong as it was a few months ago it is still nevertheless out there reading and enjoying so many of the great blogs that I continue to find.
Thanks to everyone that participated in the poll. It has been very insightful and will remain up a little bit longer for those who have not yet viewed it.
An interesting question. How I missed your previous post I don’t know. I’m going to go check out the poll now.
I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you running that poll- I learned a lot. Maybe I can even avoid the blogging blues that so many have experienced concerning this- I certainly would never want my blog to become something that causes guilt or any bad feeling, or become to hard to handle. I know how life- and home schooling for that matter (9years now, for us) can get busy, too busy some times. Just know that this fairly new blogger appreciates it! Happy Gardening!
p.s There’s is no need to reply…he, he
I don’t know how you manage to get it all done and home school. It sounds like you do have your priorities straight. The comments are small potatoes in the big picture:)
Hey, it’s supposed to be for fun, not an obligation, right?! When you have as much going on as you do, something has to take a backseat. I have had to cut back lately too, and although at first I felt bad about it, I’m trying to to let that go. I am horrible about responding to comments but try to comment on others’ sites when I can instead. Makes for a somewhat fractured diaglogue sometimes but oh well! If I could take away one thing from myself and other moms, it would be GUILT!!!!
No worries at all. We know you love us! The garden blog world is huge and we are a very social group. Just keep remembering that we are encouraging people daily even if it’s just one new gardener a day. I bet it is much more than that. I think we are starting to be heard. If they read mine–yours–or ours….then we get some good information on gardening and almost always a kind word or two. So keep it up and don’t be discouraged. You have a grand blog!
I home schooled up until my boys were in middle school. I loved it. One has graduated college and is an engineer and the other is on his 3rd new degree. He loves everything and has been accepted in to every school he wished to attend.
Even Harvard has recognized that home schoolers are terrific kids. It’s no longer a back burner issue. Our kids rock!
I agree with Karen, it’s supposed to be fun! Relax and do what you can, your readers understand.
You just have to have priorities in life and let the rest of it go at the times. #1 is always family for me, then job and friends, the blog always comes after. In the blogsphere, #1 is writing my blog #2 is reading other peoples blogs, comments come in a distant third. Hmm my garden isn’t even on that list. I suppose it ought to come before my blog. I swear it usually does, but not always.
First, I have to say that I found your blog before I ever started blogging and really like your style. I also have a 10 year old and a 2 year old. How you have time to have this blog, knit and homeschool is amazing!!
Regarding the comments, I think you are right about prioritizing. You just do what you can, I think people that enjoy your blog will continue to visit whether you have time to acknowledge each comment or not. I know I will.
Hey, you just do what you can. I remember a friend who has since passed use to say to me, “You do the best you can with what you have.” We mothers of grown children certainly understand the demands of young mothers. Don’t stress yourself and try to do it all. One day you’ll be seeing it from our viewpoint, and know just what we mean! We’ve been there too!
Brenda
You’re not alone. We are so busy these days, we all need to choose our priorities. It sounds like you’re doing a good job.
Comments are a tricky subject. Sometimes there’s nothing to say in reply to a comment except “thank you!” So what I do now is answer comments that have questions or are particularly funny, but mostly I simply go to the commentor’s blog and leave a comment after their post–especially if it’s someone new-to-me, or a new blogger. It’s good to encourage other bloggers. And you’re right. This is all meant to be fun, not an additional stress in already-hectic lives.
I agree. I’m in somewhat the same spot as far as home school, gardening, blogging, etc. I love comments. It is nice to know your blog is alive. But I don’t respond to many of them. Sometimes, when I have time and there is something that needs saying. Sometimes I go visit the commenter in their own space. Usually I just enjoy the acknowledgment that I’m not alone out there in the universe. I smile, laugh, think, whatever the comment inspires, and then get on with the important things in life. If commenter need more than that they will ask more pointed questions or they will not come back. Keep on blogging.