Sunday, January 18, 2009

Anony-whom

A reader asked me if I had considered that this blog might be exploiting Diver.

Her question gave me pause.  Raising Diver is the subject I know best.  The blog is about what happens with your significant other is a 12-year-old with autism.  But does it exploit him?  How would he feel about it if he knew?  Isn't writing about family and friends what writers do?  

Good questions.   I have already begun using a pseudonym for my son and removed my own first name from my profile.  To get even more anonymous, I would have to change the url for the blog and remove my picture.  Perhaps that's next.  Perhaps I don't write about Diver.  

Who is anonymous here?  Mom and son?   Mom only?  Or no one at all?

3 comments:

  1. I am not an anonomous person on my blog, but I use nick names for the family. I also have an 11 year old son with Asperger's and I find this a much easier access to actually be sincere about my feelings as well as trying to find the funnier ventures out of living what I deal with. I don't always write everything about my son, but more of a family life. www.notmedidit.blogspot.com check it out if you would like. I also have a blog that only me myself can access, and if I really feel like sharing it I can add people's names to it for viewing. Personally, I blog about it to help myself as well as others. Good luck and best wishes!

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  2. Tina, thank you. After starting the blog using my own name and my son's, I have come to the same conclusion and now do this blog anonymously. I would love to hear about your son so I will check out your blog.

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  3. I post with my own name and I use my son's actual name. I've had people flat-out tell me that I am exploiting Arie, because I am honestly writing about my own experience. She said writing about your kids is off-limits.

    While I admit I wish I'd made up a nickname for him, for safety reasons, I couldn't disagree with that woman more. I write about my life. My kids are part of my life. As he gets older, I will discuss whether I am _embarrassing_ him. But writing about your own life and the people in it isn't exploitative. It's being a writer.

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