I noticed yesterday that my blog was receiving three times the usual number of visitors and because my inquiring mind wanted to know, I did a little investigating to find out where the traffic was coming from. I was led to a French website and a blog post containing a couple of my photographs (taken without my knowledge) along with what I think was meant to be a review of sorts. Being curious, I copied and pasted the text into google translate. The translation wasn’t great, but enough for me to get the impression that the words were meant to be flattering, but flattering in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. The article had been shared numerous times on facebook, and then there were comments as well. I should have just closed the site at this point, but instead I started copying and pasting comments into the translator, afraid of what I might read, but wanting to know. Most people commenting were not reading my words here because my blog is in English (although I did add a button in my sidebar today so that it can be translated now.) They were simply looking at my photographs, and forming opinions about me and my family which feels terribly unfair whatever the opinion formed is. Again, the translations that I obtained weren’t perfect, but I think I was able to get what people were saying. Many had nice things to say, although false assumptions based on my photographs were numerous and made me feel like a fraud. I do enjoy photography and of course my favorite subject is anything surrounding my family and nature, not because I want to “show them off” but because I love them. However, “Lovely and inspiring” photographs do not translate to the perfect life being lived by the “perfect mother” on the other side of the lens. I’ve made my share of apologies to my children during this week alone. One commenter noted that I obviously have a very large home amongst other luxuries (there are eight of us in 1500 square feet, and to get a needed second vehicle my husband is trading labor for a car because we can’t afford a car payment. We’re pretty ordinary.)
There were lots of negative comments criticizing me for painting my life as perfect, for sharing what is unattainable by most, and refusing to show the “runny noses.” I was accused of staging my life for this blog (Precisely what I enjoy taking photos of and sharing here are the real moments that make up a day. I am just good at grabbing the camera. This is why I could never be a portrait photographer. I am not inspired by staged photography. Although I do specifically take somewhat staged photos of finished objects of course.) One woman compared my family to the family of one of her neighbors: people who homeschool seven children, keep horses, and somehow drop horse dung on her property while simultaneously waking her up too early in the morning. I am not upset by these judgements because I too have been guilty of making my own judgements based on the surface, or what I choose to see. And I should add that some of the women commenting left completely non judgemental comments appreciating what this blog is meant to be and defending that. What upset me is that I could only be a spectator of this running commentary about me and my family. I couldn’t say, “But wait, we’re not all that different!” You must be registered on this site to leave a comment, and of course I don’t speak French.
I didn’t get to look any of these women in the eye and say, “Please don’t compare yourself or your life to mine. I am just a mom, like you. I am always a sinner, rarely a saint. We’ve made many a sacrifice to live the life we do, and while it may look different than yours, it is neither inferior nor superior. We are simply living our calling to the best of our ability and only by the Grace of God. I carry joy through both my good days and my bad because I know the love of my Creator, and I can literally see His love all around me: in the faces of my children, in the flowers that grow on the side of the road, in the bees flying to and from their hives. Please understand that I take and share my photos because they reflect for me the Author of life, and His gifts to me (and to you!) I share them here to hopefully make you smile, to share my joy with you, not to fill your heart with comparisons or shame.”
But you know, then there would be those who would simply discount me as a religious lunatic. That’s okay with me. I don’t come here to preach, but when things get personal, I can’t remove my faith from my response.
I accept that keeping a public journal opens me up to judgement of all sorts. I have to either be okay with that or quit sharing here. I hate the thought of someone visiting this place and walking away discouraged or angry. My purpose in writing this is not to say, “Poor me, I was judged.” My concern is for the mom who saw a handful of pretty photographs and looked around her and saw the laundry piled up, the kids still in their pajamas, and the handprints on the windows and made a comparison. I have those things as well. But, I am not going to start documenting runny noses, or messy rooms in my photographs. We’d all get tired of that quickly. But sometimes it’s good I think, in this strange world of blogging and online sharing, that we remind ourselves that behind the screens we are all human: flawed and frail and with feelings. We are meant to try and love each other despite our shortcomings and our failings. We’ve all got dirty laundry.
I must add that Jonny was greatly amused by all the bad translations spit out by Google Translate. While he wasn’t bothered by the comments themselves, he feels slighted that the words, “handsome husband” never appeared. “That’s just low.” “It’s mean,” he says.
updated to add: The author of the original post on the French blog contacted me with an apology for taking my photos without permission and also for the way the comments turned, which obviously was out of her control. She was very kind and offered to make amends in whatever way I chose. (Her kind words were enough.)
Anyway…Do you want to see what we’ve been working on around here? Okay.
The bathroom has moved from the being ripped out phase to the being rebuilt phase. This could take awhile.
I am almost finished with Larkspur’s Bulle.
I am on track with my Winterwoods Sampler.
And, I made Silas some new pants. I’ve got a second pair cut out as well.
(The fabric is from the Moda Kasuri line. The pattern is from Handmade Beginnings.)
It’s amazing what having a house in chaos can do for my crafty productivity. While I am not about to show off our messy house, here’s what our front porch looks like right now.
And now I will close this “too serious for my taste post on what is supposed to be my lots of fun blog.”
Thank you, all of you who are able to visit this place and appreciate what I share here. I appreciate you all more than I can say.
Cary says
YOU are amazing because you keep it real. The people that commented on your photos are obviously not regular readers! Truthfully- I come here because it feels like home. You guys bare your sicknesses, your failures, your good times and bad. Don’t let this get you down!
PS- Working on Charlotte’s sunday sweater!!!!
Gina says
Hi Jenny. You clearly have many visitors who enjoy your blog for the appropriate reasons and as a Catholic mother of three and Soldier who is currently deployed to Afghanistan, and missing my children in the most terrible way, I often visit your blog as a way to mentally and spiritually connect with the facet of my life that I am currently missing. Luckily, my children are with the very capable father and my husband, but the torture of being apart is hard to bear. I am also a domestic being, so knitting has really helped pull me through this deployment. I go home in 90 days but I just wanted to let you know that your photos, words, images, and anything else you share as your life, has never projected an image of falicy or smugness. Your posting was eloquent and I appreciate you sticking to your guns in a very respectful but serious manner.
Brittany says
Big hugs Ginny. I can completely relate to your frustration of being misunderstood. For what it’s worth, I’ve never felt that way when visiting your blog and I think that the feelings that the negative commenters expressed are a reflection of their own insecurity, not what you really share here in this space. I love coming here to visit you. Thank you for sharing your faith and family 🙂
Jessa says
That picture of the little one and the cat is the cutest thing ever!
Marina says
Hello Giny,
I discovered your blog and your fantastic photos via Le Baby-Blog, the french blog you’re talking about here. I’m so sad for these bad comments you read, just inspired, I think, by envy, jealousy and despiting (hope the words are right, lazy me to translate via google 😉 ).
I think that, as some of us like share joy, beauty, and love to people, and try not to be jealous, some just compare to other, and instead of being happy for other happiness, just jealous them.
You’ve got real talent for photo ! Even your “bads”, trying to show us “dark side” of your life, are just splendid !
Maggie says
I love coming to your blog, I’ve always appreciated your willingness to share your struggles, and you’ve never pretended to have a spotless home (and really, if I want to see messy home, I could look at my own). If my house is a wreck, I hope no-one comes knocking on the door, so I’m certainly not going to post photos of it on the Internet.
What I love about the family blogs I read is seeing how other people manage, and I always feel that if they can do it, so can I. So thanks for being part of my inspiration 🙂
Ruth says
I love your blog! I really enjoy your pictures, especially the ones with your children doing crafts and running through the garden. You are such an inspiration to me and so many others. Thank you for sharing your beautiful gifts Our Lord had given you.
Sofia says
I’m a reader of your blog from portugal. I think I have commented something here already and now I’m doing it again. just to tell you I admire you a lot. clearly those people made judments based on a part and not on the whole of your blog. I admire you precisely because of your ability to show the good and the bad times and also your weaknesses. I think you are a great person and a person I could look up and I come to this blog often to be reminded of the beauty of a simple, meaningful life. and I thank you for showing that. lots of luck in your life!:)
Ju (french) says
❤ Tu es toi, le jugement est l’expression des gens qui se nient eux même.
Continue d’être toi ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Bisous et bonne continuation
MArilyn says
You know what is funny? I have never thought your life looked “perfect” and I am surprised that those French women criticized it for seeming so! I do think you discuss both the good and the bad of your days and life as a parent, and that your pictures reflect lots of chaos as well as wonder, beauty and appreciation. Maybe that is what makes your site perfect — it just reflects a nice, real family life. Keep it up and don’t fret!
Alex says
Ginny I love your blog. I am not religious and most of my children are older than yours but I LOVE your view of the world and how you share it through writing, knitting and pictures. Almost every post leaves me with a warm feeling and filled with love and for that I am grateful. Truly, the cranky comments and judgment say more about the commenter than you. Thank for all you do and who you are.
Kerri Warmus says
For me, your blog is an inspiration that has shown me what is possible. So for those of us who often feel that we are so far from where we would like to be, you are showing us the way. I think that more than makes up for the fact that some people choose to take something beautiful and inspiring and pick at it. This just happens because we’re human and sometimes not at our best or trying to comfort ourselves through criticizing and judging others. It doesn’t work, comfort never comes that way. But it happens because we are human. And you can’t fix those shortcomings, but you can keep shining a light and I sure hope you will. It has meant so much to me and my family. We are all benefiting from your generosity. It takes a generous spirit to keep putting yourself out there, opening yourself up to criticism and negativity. Anyone with any common sense knows that you have your struggles and that your kids aren’t perfect, etc. And you are right, it would be dreary if you posted about that all the time. I think you have found a great balance between focusing on the beauty and love in your days and sometimes sharing your struggles. I hope you can choose to focus on the positive feedback and let the negative stuff and the fact that you can’t reach out to those who might be feeling inadequate or envious and just trust that God will help those that you can’t reach. I feel like God helped me so much by leading me to your blog. I read it every day and am thankful for it every day.
karen sue says
I have enjoyed reading your blog for quite a while. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t worry about the downers. I know this is easier said than done. I don’t like people to judge me either. But those who read this often, know better than those who just jumped it.
Murielle says
Hello Ginny,
I discovered your blog yesterday on a french website and spent hours reading about your life and watching your so beautiful pictures.
You’ve got a wonderful family and your way of life is realle pleasant to my eyes .
I am sorry that some people got to hurt with hard words…but your blog is like a gift from god ( I know you’re a woman) to people who dream to afford to live in and to raise children in such a beautiful and lovely environnment ( trees, pets, flowers…).
Please, go on with your life, your blog and… thank you for everything you share.
Isabel says
Hi Ginny, I’m from Belgium and discovered your beautiful blog thanks to Stadire’s post in the Baby Blog.
I wanted to tell you that I really really enjoyed reading some of your posts. What struck me most is the way you show the beauty in Life. Like you said, we all have dirty laundry and moments of joy and love but sometimes we focus too much on what’s negative and ignore the beautiful things in our lives. I first read one of your posts then another and another, for at least half an hour..
So, thank you for sharing these pieces of your life with us, do not worry about negative comments, there are sadly often too many of those on the Baby Blog but most of the mothers there are not like that (I hope).
I even feel like knitting again, something I haven’t done since my grandmother died when I was 12..
Thank you again and keep on writing 🙂
Take care,
Isabel
Katherina says
“We are simply living our calling to the best of our ability and only by the Grace of God. I carry joy through both my good days and my bad because I know the love of my Creator, and I can literally see His love all around me: in the faces of my children, in the flowers that grow on the side of the road, in the bees flying to and from their hives” – thank yoy for sharing this – how important these words for me! And thank you for this idea that we should not compare your life and ours. It’s really very difficult for me, I live in Russia, and here my family of 7 persons live in appartment with small three rooms and it’s nearly impossible here to have an own house with a garden… But comparing it’s only small part of my attitude to you blog, because mostly it gives me joy and inspiration to do something new and interesting for my children. Because rather big house and garden are not the main things, that you give to your children, the main things are you love, creativity and faith and it doesn’t depend on money, house etc, and looking at you I can also find these things in my soul and give them to my children. So thank you very much!
illy says
Hello,
I am kind of French and occasionnally read “the baby blog”…
Some interesting things, some less interesting (for me at least…)
I usually don’t read everything, and chatting sometimes turns ugly…
When the case, I just stop reading…
I didn’t look at the first message about you, only at the response…
I’m not a photographer, but I really like your photos (especially the ones with your sun and your cat !).
I think you shouldn’t worry about you read (easy to say, I know…)
Sometimes some people just need to let go after a hard day… and start having a dirty behaviour…
They just forget a human being like them is behind the screen… and he or she might have had a bad day too…
I don’t know why I’m writing this… Maybe because my house is half built too… and some people I am sooo much luckier than them…
That’s life !
Take care !
allyson says
they must have missed the blog about the chicken poop all through the house. i like all your readers love your honesty, your pictures, your open motherly emotions it give me a sense of belonging to this great community called motherhood. thank you for all you do and for not letting the comments get you down.
Angela says
Hi Ginny,
We get that a lot too. Some huge surge of traffic will come, I’ll go check it out, and unfortunately I don’t bother trying to figure out what they’re saying. Especially if they’ve never been to the blog before OR they don’t try leaving a comment or interacting…which I feel is key to any blog. (Wish I had more comments LOL)
My blog isn’t about my children, but it is about our lives. Okay, not in the sense that people can become voyeurs, but they will make judgements based on what I post.
I don’t stage photos, but instead readers see things from my perspective, both in writing and in photographs…you get to see and feel how I do in those moments. I’d take it as a compliment to get so many French mothers discussing your photos. French women/mothers have a style all their own when it comes child rearing and values, which is why so many are most likely drawn to your blog. Nature, family, exploring and the wonder of youth, are all important to us. Some can express and capture it better than others, and those that can capture it (like you) inspire so many others who feel the same way.
It’s true that we can’t see the laundry or runny noses, but I’d be hard pressed to see that in other blogs unless it was a post about being ill. Even then, some bloggers may show a cup of tea and knitting needles rather than show their sick children. Not because they don’t want you to see the “ugly side” but because we respect our children enough to keep somethings private. We don’t need to capture on film every moment of every day to make our lives valid or somehow real. It’s called privacy, decency and honor.
Cari says
Ginny, I think it’s way too funny to think that these women thought that you staged your photos or tried to show a false picture of your life. So very obvious that they haven’t read your blog as you are more than honest with your struggles in your day to day life. I, for one, would like to thank you for your honesty as it has helped me to confront my struggles with depression, less than perfect mothering, desire to do more with less time, & helped me try to focus my thoughts on the greatness of our Lord & all that He has done for me (even in the midst of my struggles!!) I hope you truly can keep the comments from bugging you, I don’t think I would be able to. Please just know how much we, your readers, appreciate your blogs. Hugs & kiss to you & your lovely family!!!
Leigh says
Well Ginny, I love your blog, I love your photographs, I love your children and I love the organised chaos you have all around you. Who needs neat and tidy. And tell Jonny he is a handsome fella even if the Frenchies don’t seem to think so. I am smiling while I write this.
Elisabeth says
Hi Ginny,
I’m also a french babyblog reader, and I wanted to tell you that I LOVE your blog! I agree with my fellow frenchies that the french are not the best for criticizm and are at best rude, especially in their comments. Hence the fact that I never read them.
I love your photos (I myself always try and put nice photos of my works on my blog), and I envy the life you have, it looks so calm and close to nature! I feel also very close to you, being myself catholic and having two children under three and another one due next spring. I also like the fact that you let your children experiment with their surroundings, as I do, but I always get told off for it because apparentely it is dangerous!
Thank you for being who you are, and don’t change a thing!
Karine says
Just one word from france from a french mum.
Do not care about the negative comments, French people are like this.
Basicly, we love complain, be ironic and negative, it’s our way of life and nothing will change. It’s a bit rough, but not far from the reality 😉
Have you even seen a french server smiling in Paris, no, it’s normal LOL.
The photo you’ve done are fantastic. You have a real gift to catch magic moments. Thanks to share it !
Kara @SimpleKids.net says
I’m so glad to read the update and that you got an apology. That was nice, and rare thing in that type of incident.
My take on it? I think the blog reading public, at large, is a fickle species.
I know for myself, I’ll hear comments about how the public wants things to “be real” or more “down to earth” and not so “picture perfect” but I also know that the moment I share a picture, either on one of my blogs or on instagram, where there is a plastic toy or a paper towel or a twaddle-filled comic book in the background somewhere I’ll get at least one (often many more) email or comment calling me out on it, as if I have to apologize for my life being real and things not being picture perfect. I once got a long hate-filled email about a Hot Box pizza plastic cup in the sink in one of the pictures of my kitchen.
I know I’ve stopped sharing as many of my children’s homeschool projects on my Rockin’ Granola blog as I used to because of certain comments and criticisms (I make my kids do too much, no wait, they do too little!)
I guess it just goes back to not being able to please all of the people all of the time, so we have to just please ourselves.
Developing a thick skin and having a safe place to blow off some steam over some types of comments, misconceptions, and emails helps to let those things go and move on, too 😉
I love your writing, the stories you tell, and the pictures you share here. Thanks for taking the time to do so, because I know it is a labor of love!
Best wishes!
Ginny says
Dear Kara, I really appreciate your words here, but it is going to take me some time to get over the fact that you have plastic in your home. hee hee 🙂 love, Ginny
Kate says
I love reading your blog and only leave it feeling full of love and inspiration. Of course there are people who troll the internet and make judgements on everything, but I have never gotten that vibe from your blog that you are trying to display this perfect life. I’m so glad you share with everyone & I hope nobody ever discourages you from doing otherwise!
Flora says
Hi Ginny! I am a babyblog reader, and I am glad I found out about your blog! It is very inspiring and bright. Your family is just beautiful! I am sorry about all the bad comments, it’s just how French people work, we do spend a lot of energy criticizing everything, especially happy people, we don’t like those… Lol. Most of us look down on religion, because we don’t understand it. Yes, we the French are globally very rude people, but some of us do stand out, I hope you won’t judge our all country just based on those very disrespectful comments. Our cultures are very different, and often lead to misunderstanding. It’s not like I hate my people, I just like yours better 😉
Have a great day Ginny Sheller, your are blessed to have such a beautiful family. And it is a great gift that you are willing to share it with us 🙂
Celine says
Dear Ginny,
I am a reader of the babyblog in France, and I feel so bad that you had to see the stupid comments let there. Stadire who posted your photos gave a very good impression of your blog and, as the silent minority, I find your blog absolutely gorgeous, nice, friendly etc…
On this particular blog, there is a bunch of girls who likes to criticize just for the sake of it. This is actually boring for the other readers but unfortunately we can’t get rid of them. Personally, when I don’t like something, I just go away but some like to show off.
I guess that it is easy to tell you to ignore them. But they don’t deserve any attention at all. Again sorry for the poor impression you got from some of our french mums, but I am sure it does not reflect the majority.
Continue your wonderful blog and enjoy the life as usual!
Kind Regards from France and Ireland
C.
Géraldine says
Hy Ginny !
I’ve just put my comment on google trads and it really changes it meaning !!
the original :
Moi j’aimerais tellement avoir sa maison, ou juste une maison, un bout de jardin… mais je n’arrive pas à décoler de Paris… de mon boulot, de ma famille, c’est une question de choix je suppose. Il y a des gens pour tout, et moi la vie a la campagne, ça me va 2 semaines, après je me fait CH**R. Donc zéro jalousie en voyant ce blog qui en revanche me fait rêver à mort, je le trouve beau et la maman est douée en photo !! Oui, en fait, je pense que je suis juste jalouse de ne pas savoir prendre de si jolies photos ! En tous cas, merci Stadire pour la découverte !!
the human translation (not google) :
I wish I had her house or just a house, and a small garden … but I can not leave Paris … or my job, my family, it’s just a matter of choices I guess. We are all different, and for me, living away from the city, I can do it for 2 weeks, but then I get bored. Therefore, zero jealousy seeing this blog which makes me dream a lot, I find it beautiful and this mom is a talented photographer !
Yes, in fact I think I’m just jealous of not beeing able to take such pretty pictures!
In any case, thank you Stadire for this discovery!
Ginny, I really think you are gifted ! Keep on blogging, and, if it’s ok with you, I will keep on dreaming looking at your pictures ! Your blog, your family (and your husband) are beautifull !
aude Lepareur says
Hello Ginny,
Je suis une lectrice du baby blog, et je viens m’excuser, non pas d’avoir dit du mal de ton blog, mais plutôt de m’être tue, et d’avoir laissé d’autres critiquer plus que de raison.
Tu peux être fière de tes choix de vie, de tes photos, de ta vie. Quelque soit le confort dont tu disposes, cela reste un choix de vie qu’il n’est pas forcement facile à vivre, et toi tu rends ce quotidien à travers tes photos si doux, si tendre. Je ne t’envie pas, j’essaie de vivre mes choix de la même façon que tu vis les tiens, et je reviendrais surement flâner par ici 😉 Bonne continuation et longue vie à ton blog et tes photos !!
Armelle says
Hi Ginny
I discovered your blog via le babyblog too. I hadn’t read the comments before, I almost never do. There’s too many angry persons all other the internet, jalous because they don’t like their life and can’t enjoy the beautiful little things that make it worth it. I went through your blog with my kid, 3 and a half, and could’nt pass a photo without him telling me “who is it? what is it? it’s beautiful!”, and I spent almost an hour showing him your picture. My english is’nt perfect, but I just wanna thank you, I had a great time with him, discovering small pieces of your life. Your pics are beautiful, and they didn’t make me envious, they just made me smile.
Evi says
Just stopping by to let you know that your words are oh so true and you have articulated what I was recently trying to get across! Thank you! You are one gorgeous mama and as every other mama should know, none of us put the daily grind on our blogs….. after all who really wants to read about every one else’s struggles? We each have enough of our own and we ALL have them! Whoever thinks you or any blogger, are perfect, needs to think again!
Oh and he sure is one gorgeously handsome husband…..!!
Sarah - Crafts from the Cwtch says
Hi Ginny,
I for one don’t want to see the snotty noses – I have enough of those at home!
Please keep doing what you do.
x
Roanna says
The internet (and facebook in particular) give people an excuse to say things they would never say in real life. I’m glad to see that you are strong enough to handle it.
as for the “runny noses” bit… I personally could do without the chocolate smeared all over the child’s face type photos. I see enough of them from a friend on facebook. I wouldn’t put them up on my blog. If I take them one day, they will be for just us. We have a right to keep some things private.
helene says
bonjour ginny,
je suis une lectrice qui vous a decouvert via ce fameux article, je suis navée je parle trop mal anglais pour vous ecrire dans votre langue alors j’espere que google traduira bien mes mots
j’aime vos photos, l’image que vous donnez de votre vie, je suis navrée que tant de gens se soient permis de dire tant de mal, merci de partager ces belles choses, ces instants de vie, ils donnent envie..
Datchounette says
And your husband is very beautiful (Hi Jonny) !!!!!!!!!
Datchounette says
Hello Ginny
Sorry for my so bad english … But I would like to say you that your blog is faboulous. Your photos are very beautiful and so realist. I like to see all these few happynesses.
You are very talented. Congratulation
Kath says
Hi! I love your blog, and read it almost every day, but I am not good at commenting! But I hope you continue to share your beautiful photographs, and inspire us:)
Susan says
I rarely comment, but regularly read your blog. I love the pictures, and your knitting (that’s how I found you in the first place). For me, the best part of all is when my own laundry and messy house is overwhelming, I can take a break and peak in at your garden, or the chickens, or the kids in the woods…. I appreciate your hard work in posting these, and sharing with us. Having grown up on a farm, I know its not easy…
Don’t forget, any publicity is good publicity… for every negative comment out there, you will be noticed and found by dozens and dozens more new readers… more people to appreciate your blog – and that is a good thing.
🙂 I hope your shoulder is healing.
Emma says
I agree with many of your other readers, that you do a great job, and we all know that no blog can ever show the whole picture. Why should it? It is your blog, your life, and your beautiful family to portray exactly as you wish. I have my own blog and I don’t necessarily show all the most mundane parts of my life, but we all know they are there. I’m not going to write “Today I cleaned the toilet, then I washed the dishes and the baking tray was really hard to scrub clean, here are the photos.”
One of your readers pointed out that Europeans are a bit more thick skinned, which I agree with, or rather, they (we) can be a lot more blunt, even discourteous. I also think that the cost of living in western Europe is way higher than in rural parts of the US. Owning property, clothing children and even putting food on the table is an altogether different proposition in Europe to what it is in the States, even for those on a very good salary.
Whatever the differences, though, as a long time reader of Small Things, I can see that you and Jonny work hard to provide for you kids, and you’re an inspiration to me. I hope you don’t let a few curt remarks change anything about the way you blog. xx
Sarah says
Hello
I’m one of the french-speaking persons who discovered Small things through the French blog post.
I’m so sorry to read about those negative comments! I loved discovering what you have to share. I’ll be happy to follow your blog, I’m sure. Blogs like yours are an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your small things 🙂
Christine says
Cross-cultural differences are so difficult sometimes. What is seen by us as just living life and getting by as best we can can be seen in a vastly different light by someone in another country. Hopefully the criticisms are coming from having a different cultural POV than what we are able to understand.
Dee says
I’d be surprised if a popular blog never got negative comments. No matter how positive the blog or pictures there will always be someone having a bad day/year/life who has to say something nasty. Think of it as normal and don’t take the comments to heart. Or better yet think of the negative comments as a balance to all the positive ones. Things aren’t always all sunshine and roses.
I love to see your beautiful pictures and posts. So just know that with all the good stuff life always throws us a bit of vinegar to balance out the sweet.
Ummrania says
Thats to bad, comments can be painful. However another thing to remember is that there are probably many culture differences as well. Europeans are much more thick skinned when it comes to things like this.
I for one love your blog and your photography, keep it up, oh and being a devote Muslim I have never found your posts preachy in any way
Keep up your beautiful bog and ignore these comments, or at least just try to get a good laugh from them
Sarah says
Ginny,
I have recently started reading your blog and i think you do a lovely job!
I too am a Catholic, and love being at home with my children five. Oldest 10. I home educate and I knit! And I think you do a very good job of being real and frank in your posts. Unlike some blogs that truly look like there is no way all that is presented is possible- yours looks like you are expressing/ giving yourself and not trying to sell your family’s life style. I really enjoyed your post about celebrating October and seeing your family eating dinner outside with a photo of several of your children in the overhanging structure above the table. I could relate to this reality of children. It is refreshing to see it. And your husband has a great sense of humor in your blog. It is fun! So sorry people were rude to you and your blog. This is a definite detriment to this Internet life we all live. I sometime wish we could return to a time of more community and women sharing tea and conversation and knitting together. But then I would have to live in a completely different state to meet you and your family! Sometimes I think it would be interesting to organize a Catholic usa
bloggers conference. Probably too weird. I am glad you are blogging! Thank you for sharing.
Missy says
I read very few blogs any more but keep subscribing to yours specifically because I find it very positive and authentic without being fake or staged! Keep on!
Aimeed says
Ginny, as you said, we all have laundry. I don’t need a blog for that–I can look at the pile of it on my own couch. We all need each other to help us see the beauty that is all around us–the beauty that we might fail to see in our own lives because our eyes are too focused on runny noses and such. It’s called inspiration, and my life is the better for it because of the inspiration that I gain here and on other blogs.
That’s not to say that I’m not willing to hear about your problems and hard times. And if you share that here, we are happy to help you carry your burden, such as we can over the internet. But I think your blog is great–there are always going to be people who criticize, unfortunately.
Megan says
Dear Ginny,
Ha! Jonny is so funny! I’m not surprised to see that you’re taking this unkind internet interaction with grace. You and your family have inspired so much joy in my mothering in the past year.
Silas’ pants are AWESOME, these and the knit ones from a few days ago.
Lastly, I’m praying for your shoulder to heal and hopefully the doctor appointment goes well!
Megan
Joy says
Hi -I enjoy reading your blog but rarely comment. I don’t knit but love to look at others knitting. You seem like a sweet, average American family. The French are the French. If they don’t fing your husband handsome, they clearly don’t know anything. Have a good week,
Emma says
Dear Ginny
Your blog is pure inspiration, for me, for my children. You did so much to show us what is possible in America, how to live a good life despite all the distractions, and introduced me to so many friends. It is amazing how you have made a huge difference in our lives even though it is exceedingly likely that we will never meet in this life. And you never make me feel overwhelmed, to be honest, sometimes you make me feel as if I have it together :D. So please just ignore them. You have a special gift.
Christine says
Ginny- I have not commented before, but have enjoyed your blog for a while now. I guess I keep to myself a bit. 🙂 But I really wanted to share this with you. You have helped me through some pretty rough periods as a Mom of four beautiful children, the oldest being six. Simply by sharing your daughters chopped bangs,and marker endeavors. By letting us in on your daughters uncombed hair and your children’s love of mud. My children would personally thank you if they could on that one for the reminder! We lived in town and closely with our neighbors. But it was OH SO GOOD! And your dearly handsome Husband with his little Beatrix sitting on his head and humorous approach to life and even knitting, has inspired belly laughs in myself as well as my Husband. It is so easy to compare ourselves. Thank you for helping me to feel normal. I adore you and your family so very,very much! It truly is a difficult thing to be misunderstood. I think you handled this so well.