Lynne's Book Reviews: I Wonder...Does your Family Support Your Blogging and Reading Addiction?

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I Wonder...Does your Family Support Your Blogging and Reading Addiction?

It's been a while since I posted an "I Wonder..." and I've been wanting to ask this question of everyone for the longest time:

Do your loved ones support all the time you spend blogging and reading? Do they know how much you blog and read? Do you hide it? Do they read your blog?

My husband and 16-year-old son give me a hard time for reading as much as I do. Everyday when my son comes home from school I'm on the couch reading. He thinks that's what I do all day. Never mind that I've been doing laundry, cleaning, ironing, and grocery shopping the other seven hours he's been gone :) But it doesn't matter...I love to read and I don't mind if they don't support my reading. I think they're just jealous. As far as blogging, though, I try to do it when no one is home. I feel like a sneak! I guess I'm sort of embarrassed by blogging. Why is that? Is it not a worthwhile hobby?

So how do you all spend so much time blogging and reading, is what I want to know. I asked Sheila from Book Journey if her husband has any idea what all goes on on her blog and she said absolutely NOT. For how much she posts...you know, all her Morning Meanderings (which I look forward to each day), her giveaways, reviews, and author chats, I think that's so funny that he's in the dark.

So are you like me and do the bloggy sneak or do you blog loud and proud? Read out in the open or when everyone's asleep? Live alone so this isn't an issue? (*LUCKY*)

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diane · 758 weeks ago

It is just me and my husband at home--kids are grown and gone, and he does not mind my reading and computer time at all. He loves ALL sports and watching tv, so when I blog, I try to be in the same room as him, so we talk a bit in the process. Then I go in another room to read as I need quiet---it works.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Lynne · 758 weeks ago

Ooh, see I love sports too :) But that's what I try to do as well - I sit in the family room while my husband watches TV so we can at least be together. But you know what? I find it easier to READ with the TV on than to blog. I can't write and think while the TV is on but I've gotten good at reading and tuning the TV out somehow. Sometimes I'll even put ear plugs in.

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Nicola · 758 weeks ago

Well, I'm lucky, in a sense. I have Asperger's and blogging is my #1 current obsession. My husband understands this and is thankful my last obsession of mixed media art collage is over because that one filled the entire house with messy paints and supplies everywhere! Bookcases and piles of books are at least neater.

So going on three years now, I spend a huge amount of time reading and read whenever my attention can be given to it (while stirring a pot, waiting for the laundry to finish, etc.) Dh does not read at all, so he has no clue what I get out of it. He does not read my blog and does not understand the community thing about it. He just doesn't get it and wonders what the heck I get out of it. He does get irritated when I have giveaways and he sees how much the postage cost but other than that no other problems.

So ultimately, while not interested dh is supportive. Dh bought me a little notebook computer 2 weeks ago so I didn't have to wait my turn on the computer anymore and could blog whenever I felt like it and it has been so liberating!

The rest of my extended family thinks it's neat but they don't go so far as to actually read my blog nor do they realize just how much time I spend reading and blogging.

1 reply · active 758 weeks ago

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Lynne · 758 weeks ago

That's great that he bought you a notebook computer. When my husband is home and on the computer for a long time I start getting antsy. I do have an iPad so I can at least comment, reply to comments, read my Google reader, etc.

If my husband ever says something about the time I spend blogging I remind him, "At least I'm not out shopping and spending money." That's all I have to say :)

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Savvy Working Gal · 758 weeks ago

My DH doesn't mind my reading, but thinks blogging is a waste of time. Though he is more accepting of it than he used to be; asking what I'm writing about and letting me bounce ideas off him. We don't have children. More disappointing though are my siblings who don't support my blog or try to understand blogging. One said she thinks my blog is boring. When they call and ask what I'm doing I say working instead of blogging.
My recent post Moving on after a personal attack by co-worker

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Lynne · 758 weeks ago

I've done that before...told my family I was doing something other than blogging when they called! People just don't get it, do they. But that's why we love our community :)

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tootooroo 36p · 758 weeks ago

my family doesn't mind my reading so much. but then again i'm not married and it's just my parents and my brother and they could probably care less about what i do with my free time.

i'm a closet blogger too! it's weird but i even close the window of my blog when my brother walks into my room to ask a question or something. i wouldn't say i'm embarrassed of it, but its more that i don't want them reading it. hahah.

1 reply · active 757 weeks ago

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

That's how I am when my husband comes in the office where our computer is. He'll say, "What are you doing?" and I say, "Oh, just reading my emails."

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Staciajo 53p · 758 weeks ago

My husband thinks that all I do is blog and read. He has never read my blog...as far as I know. You saw his picture didn't you when we were on vacation? He's about as enthused about my reading as he is to have his picture taken. In all honesty, it bothers me that he's not interested in this part of who makes me...me. But my son Marc on the other hand is very supporting and thrilled for me when something interesting is going on in the book world. A lot of my friends on Facebook can't believe all of the books that I read, and often wonder if I do anything else!! LOL! :D

1 reply · active 758 weeks ago

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Lynne · 758 weeks ago

I DO remember seeing his picture from your vacation.

It's funny because I don't mind that my husband doesn't take an interest in my book blog - he does read my personal blog - because I kind of like having my own "secret" place to go. I just don't want him to give me a hard time about it and think that's all I do. (Even though it is...heh heh...just kidding)

That's great that your son is supportive and enthusiastic about it.

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chewdigest 47p · 758 weeks ago

My family already know that am nuts, so the fact that I am always glued to a book or have a laptop next to me is no bother. The thing that does baffle them though is the blogging events, like BBAW or Armchair BEA. I try to explain to them that it is like a conference, but I don't have to leave the house. That never really goes over too well.

Poor Art, he is probably pretty darn tired of me reading everything to him though. Not only does he have to hear passages that I find interesting or funny while reading, he gets to hear my post ideas, review thoughts, etc. On the other hand, I do listen to his tales of the wonderful world of managing a grocery store. I call that a tie:)
My recent post A Bit About MeMe I Dodge the Question

1 reply · active 758 weeks ago

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Lynne · 758 weeks ago

Your comments crack me up, Gwen..."I try to explain that it is like a conference but I don't have to leave the house." Hehe

And I don't know - listening to grocery story tales versus all things books? I'd say you win the prize. My husband is a car freak, so I have to listen to engine stories and get quizzed on Corvettes. Right now he's watching - and will for hours - the Mecum Car Auction on TV. I win the prize in our house.

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Lesa · 758 weeks ago

My hubby is a bookworm so never minds my reading-- he thinks my blogs are cool but says I should devote as much time to writing a book. I tell anyone and everyone about my blogs and have even inspired others to start blogging-- it is such a great creative outlet. My 5 yr old doesn't let me blog too long without a playbreak. ;o)

My recent post I am sure theres been a mistake!

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

That's great that you've inspired others to blog! And I can understand how your 5-year-old might want your attention when you're blogging. Guess you have to be selective as to when you do it. I remember those days... By the way, 5 was my absolute favorite age. Sixteen...not so favorite age :(

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Jenners 45p · 758 weeks ago

My husband thinks I spend too much time visiting blogs ... he thinks I should just focus on content for my own blogs and forget the rest. We've gotten into a few arguments about the whole "visiting" aspect of blogging. And lately the fact that my son is now in full day school means he's watching my blogging time more. If I'm not going to work at a job, he doesn't think I should spend "all day" blogging. So I guess we're in transition on this one!

1 reply · active 757 weeks ago

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

That's funny that he has such an opinion about blogging versus visiting! And I know what you mean about not working...Now that my son is 16, I don't know how much longer I can get away with saying I'm a stay-at-home mom. Guess that's why I try to keep my blogging under wraps as much as I can. lol

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Bailey · 757 weeks ago

I have to say only a few people know about my blog! Maybe as it gets older, I'll feel more comfortable with it. :)
My recent post Once Upon a Time

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

You'll definitely become more confident in your blog abilities as you blog longer, and then you'll start spreading the word :) That's what happens!

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aths · 757 weeks ago

I live alone. :) that said, there are people who give that same line (is that all you do?) I like to blog when i'm alone. I don't think it's sneaky, but just that another person's presence just hinders my thinking process. .

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

I can't think when people are around either! Is that part of being an introvert or is everyone like that?

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libriform 29p · 757 weeks ago

My parent don't care about how much I read, and I've told them about my blog and what I do, but I don't think they read it or any much interested in it unless something exciting happens like getting offered a review book or something. It's kind of disappointing, because I want them to SEE what I do when I'm not at work/school (or talking to them), but it's tough to get them to even type in the address bar. :( At least now I've been doing it for so long they're no longer weirded out about my joining readathons or whatnot. And they're very good at listening when something annoying happens (trolls, bad emails, etc)!

I've told my classmates and other people at school about my blog, and they're mostly interested. I think I've gotten over my embarrassment at doing something relatively geeky and now I tell whoever will listen that I'm a blogger-- it helped that I met a few other bloggers in my classes, too!
My recent post Book Blogger Hop 1

1 reply · active 757 weeks ago

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

You've met other bloggers in your class? That is so neat. I keep waiting for the day I tell someone I meet that I'm a book blogger and they say "Me too!"

I haven't joined a Readathon yet because my family would think I was absolutely nuts.

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amymckie 73p · 757 weeks ago

I'm single, and my ex (now good friend) thought I was crazy, but occasionally stopped by the blog to see what was up. Current man interest doesn't even look at it. Nor do my family. They all think it's a little crazy.

1 reply · active 757 weeks ago

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Lynne2525 63p · 757 weeks ago

I think it's crazy that people think blogging is crazy, don't you? I don't know maybe what Anastasia said above is true...it's geeky. Heh heh. Oh well.

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Saturday, September 18, 2010

I Wonder...Does your Family Support Your Blogging and Reading Addiction?

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