psalm 90

Loving these words today: 

In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge

journaling

I am aware that this blog is a bit of a hodge podge, that I haven't kept up with entries, and that I haven't written that much about the topics that made we want to start this blog.  Being a mommy is time consuming! In retrospect, starting a blog just prior to the birth of my first child was not ideal timing.  On to the random post of the week/month...

I decided I needed to get back to prayer for myself.  Reading daily reflections on scripture has been nice during long nursing sessions, but I have been left needing more reflection/time with the word.  Pinterest and Instagram are full of women who journal during prayer time or Mass and I have felt drawn to those who journal through lettering or art.  Full disclosure: I am not an artist-even stick figures are challenging for me.  I also do not have beautiful handwriting, yet I decided to start journaling/lettering one of my reflections weekly.  I have taken words from daily scripture and penciled it out in my graph paper notebook (thanks Target clearance!).  Below are some pictures of my amateur work.

I have enjoyed the length of time that this takes.  It makes me read the words over and over again.  It allows me to pause from the business and reflect on the beauty of the scripture and focus on the meaning of God's word.   

Follow me on Instagram or Twitter for more of my journaling journey!

social media

I love some social media.  I enjoy sharing photos on Instagram and following friends on Facebook, but you will not see my baby on any of those platforms.

The Parent Zone (UK based site that promotes Internet safety and provides information on modern parenting) shared that the average parent will post almost 1,500 photos of their child online before he/she turns 5 years old.  Some even say 1,000, but that is still a lot.  The term "sharenting" has been coined to describe this oversharing of children.

I have to say-I really enjoy seeing pictures of growing families of friends, family, and even strangers. That being said, when I really think about it, it freaks me out.  As parents, my husband and I have decided not to share our little one on social media.

4 Reasons You Wont Find My Kids on Social Media:

(this is my opinion-not shaming anyone who chooses to share their kiddos online!)

1. Access to pictures: So this may seem a bit extreme but I've heard many times at the VIRTUS trainings I help facilitate that there is not a picture on social media of a child that a child predator hasn't seen.  Even with passwords and security settings.  When I got to thinking about it, I realized how many children of friends of friends had popped up in my newsfeed and how easy it would be to screenshot these precious babies.  Not something I want for my little one.

2. Truth: How many times have you seen pictures on Facebook or Instagram or whatever and felt jealous of the perfect life someone is living or deeply saddened by the hardships people keep feeling?  Social media really presents a false truth. It seems like most people only share the extremes.  I don't mind sharing some aspects of my life, but I want to live without the pressure of "keeping up with the Jones" (their extreme happiness or their extreme sadness).  

3. Privacy: How many random friends are on your Facebook?  Someone you met once in college? "Friends"?  from high schoolYour college roommates ex-boyfriend? There are so many people that can connect with you online (for better or worse).  Why do they need access to my most precious thing and the ability to share it with others?  

4. Living life through a lens: This one is the most important to me.  I noticed recently just how many people around me were living life through the lens of their personal devices.  At dinner every table at a restaurant has a phone out (NO CONVERSATIONS occurring).  At a concert, people enjoy the show through their phone.  I don't know about you, but I want to enjoy life as it happens.  As a new parent the temptation to capture each moment is so strong!  But, what am I missing as I try to capture that first giggle on film?  Or that adorable frown?  Imagine having a phone in your face all of the time.  I want my child to know my face not my phone.  

These are just a few of the reasons we decided to be "media free" for as long as we can decide.  When our little one is old enough to have his own accounts, we will guide him through making safe choices.  But until he can make those decisions, we will help protects his privacy, help his future job searches, and keep enjoying him in the present.  We'll keep capturing some of these moments for ourselves and for grandparents :)

Live life to it's fullest and put down the phone this week. Show your child how much you love them!