TO ALL MY READERS! (Be sure to indeed read this post)

I have decided to take a Blogging Hiatus for the Summer.

Due to different factors, including, but not limited to the fact that my readership is apparently down, and the time I take to piece some of these together (mainly on one of my other blogs), I think this is the best option for me at this time.

There's chance that I will post once in a while while on this hiatus. But I am looking for this to be once in a blue moon, of sorts. I have a lot on my plate. And I feel that I must remove some of my "activities", with Blogging being one of them. And quite possibly, using Twitter, as well.

I'm hopeful that you all will understand. But it's time to put my family, Summer activities (if any) and above all things, MYSELF first, above the Blogosphere.

Thanks for understanding. And I'll see ya around, my friends.

P.S. ~ I plan on posting this in all four of my pages.

The Mom Pledge..Take A Stand!

I'm a mother, a daughter, a friend, a "sister", a sister-in-law, a daughter-in-law, niece and an aunt.

I'm also compassionate, passionate, sympathetic and empathetic.

What I am NOT is hateful, demeaning, cruel or mean-spirited.

Over the years I have been within the internet world, I have seen some pretty wild, nasty, hate-filled and prejudiced words thrown at others. Complete strangers mind you.

Especially among fellow MOTHERS. And primarily between one "mothers-friendly" site and within the blogosphere.

Am I 100% innocent of not saying something out of haste or anger that was hurtful to someone on the internet? Nope. I'm no angel and will never claim to be.

But I also won't stalk someone and leave such hateful things like what I have seen and even at times (literally) got sick over.

Blogging in particular is an outlet for many different people, for many different reasons. Mothers are of the Blogosphere's top contributors.

As a mother myself, between this blog and my other blog, The "Mental"-ist Mom, I talk about my kids in one way or another. The secondary blog mainly revolves around my son who is disabled due to several mental health issues and what my life is like in raising him to be as normal as he can be. And to show that outward appearances CAN be and at most times, ARE deceiving.

If you are a mother, a blogger and a mom who is AGAINST other mommy-bloggers that can have "verbal diarrhea", leaving hate-filled comments on other's posts or "stalk" other mommy-bloggers (or any blogger really), as a means to TEAR DOWN others, instead of wanting to BUILD THEM UP and offer *support* or encouragement, then I *HIGHLY* recommend that you take the MOM BLOGGER PLEDGE today.

The Mom Pledge Blog features every weekday a fellow Pledge within the community who is standing up against negative mom bloggers.



The Pledge (via The Mom Pledge Founder, Elizabeth Flora Ross)...

I am a proud Mommy Blogger. I will conduct myself with integrity in all my blogging activities. I can lead by example.

I pledge to treat my fellow moms with respect. I will acknowledge that there is no one, "right" way to be a good Mom. Each woman makes the choices best for her family.

I believe a healthy dialogue on important issues is a good thing. I will welcome differing opinions when offered in a respectful, non-judgmental manner. And will treat those who do so in kind.

I stand up against online bullying. My blog is my space. I will not tolerate comments that are rude, condescending or disrespectful.

I refuse to give those who attack a platform. I will remove their remarks from my blog with no mention or response. I can take control.

I want to see moms work together to build one another up, not tear each other down. Words can be used as weapons. I will not engage in that behavior.

I affirm that we are a community. As a member, I will strive to foster goodwill among moms. Together, we can make a difference.

...Now, if only more of us women (mothers or not) can be like this. Women are known to be catty and cut-throat. But to be so to someone you don't even know is just despicable and disheartening.

There are REAL feelings being felt behind those screens, reading the words of hate and disrespect. Real tears fall EVERY single day because a fellow mother had the gall to spew vile from her fingertips.

What if it was being said to you (aimed at the guilty who may read this)?? How would YOU feel if those harsh, demeaning, hurtful, hateful words were "spoken" to you? You don't REALLY know the blogger's life. How much she is TRULY hiding away from the world, only letting out certain pieces.

So now, I beg you, choose your words carefully. You never really know how deep another's pain may be already. To add "insult to injury" can potentially end with disastrous results. Bullying should have been left behind in the school-age years. And stalking should NEVER happen.

Take the pledge with me today. MOMMY-BLOGGERS UNITE!

Blogging vs. "Too Personal" Writing (Also known As "When To Keep It To Yourself")

I'm all for airing out things if need be on your blog. And yeah, I do believe in "your blog, your decisions on what to write about".

But I feel that even in the world of blogging, there is and NEEDS TO BE a line of how much of your PERSONAL life should be divulged to the masses.

For one thing, I really do NOT wish to know about the hanky-panky you and your partner have in your bedroom (or anywhere else in the home). Your personal sex life should be left where it belongs..in YOUR home, behind CLOSED doors. Be it with your hubby/partner or with another man/woman. I really don't want to know in explicit detail of your "hot and wild night" between the sheets (or hanging from the rafters).

If you are losing followers/readers, then it may be for good reason. I don't like going to someone's blog I have gone to for quite some time, knowing that while they can get a bit crazy (in a good way), they won't go ALL out there. Plus showing ANY kind of "private" body part is a HUGE turnoff for many readers, including myself. I'll go to Playboy/girl to see some skin and raunchiness, thanks.

Though I must say, that MOST of those bloggers that DO write about way more than I and many others care to know about the writer's real (and private) life do have their pages set to "Adult Content Warning"...But when it is up for EVERY single page, be it "adult-like" or not, it's hard to avoid what you wish to NOT read about, and instead, you are too late and are "suckered" in to it. For me personally, I REFUSE to comment on such "open" posts and just hit the back button.

This past week, I had also taken the liberty of "un-following" some blogs. Mainly because of this very problem and because some just no longer held my interest or the content just wasn't up my alley. Like I had said, if I want to see skin, read about sexual innuendo and what someone did in their own home and life, I'll seek out Playboy/girl or rent me a porn movie.

I'm sorry if this angers anyone. But you are honestly hurting yourself and your readership, as well as your comment rating as a writer/blogger by posting things that I don't even tell my own father. And we tell one another everything. I just don't go in to THAT part of my life. I don't want anyone to know about my sex life. And I sure as hell don't wish to know about yours.