When does sharing details about your children online cross the line into oversharing? How do older kids who grew up with parents’ blogs and social media feel about having their childhoods shared publicly? Lately many of us have become more cautious about posting our kids, and in this episode we dig into “sharenting” and explain why we’ve chosen to pull back. We also spoke with four fellow bloggers — Erin Loechner, Myquillyn Smith, Cassie Freeman, and Joy Cho — about how they decide what to share and what to keep private. It was enlightening to hear different perspectives and the ways each family finds a balance between documenting life and respecting children’s privacy.
This episode is available through a variety of podcast players and you can listen to it on the podcast’s platform of choice. Use this page as a reference for the people we talked with and the resources we mentioned during the conversation. If you’re viewing this in a feed reader, you may need to open the post to access the audio player.
Guests
- Erin Loechner
- Erin writes about design and mindful living and has shared thoughtful posts about parenting, privacy, and creativity.
- She wrote a post titled “The Line” that explores how she balances writing about motherhood with protecting her children’s privacy.
- Erin is also the author of the memoir Chasing Slow, which reflects on simplifying a busy life and slowing down.
- Joy Cho
- Joy is a designer and creative entrepreneur known for her blog and colorful aesthetic. She’s talked openly about how rejection and resilience shaped her business.
- We also revisited an earlier conversation where Joy shared how setbacks influenced her work and outlook.
- Myquillyn Smith
- Better known as “The Nester,” Myquillyn writes about making homes warm and welcoming without needing perfection.
- She has published a book called The Nesting Place, which encourages readers to embrace homes that feel lived-in and loved rather than perfectly styled.
- Cassie Freeman
- Cassie shares practical and colorful decorating ideas and has reflected on family life and creativity through her blog.
- We also referenced a past interview where she talked about embracing color and personal style in the home.
Additional Reading
Below are a few pieces that have influenced our thinking about sharing family life online. These reads explore different viewpoints and offer practical advice for parents trying to find the right balance.
- A thoughtful response from a blogger who framed sharing family moments as a way to celebrate her children and family life.
- An essay by a longtime design blogger explaining why she planned to share less as her children grew older and how that decision changed her approach to documenting family life.
- A personal perspective on choosing not to post about one’s children online and the public reactions that decision can prompt.
- A New York Times essay that recounts a moment that caused the author to reconsider writing about her children.
- An NPR feature that examines whether parents invade children’s privacy when posting photos, summarizing research and viewpoints from both sides.
- An overview of pros and cons around “sharenting,” ending with practical tips for parents who want to document life responsibly.
- A PBS Parents article that asks whether we reveal too much about our kids and offers sensible guidance for families.
- A Time magazine summary of pediatric recommendations encouraging parents to think twice before posting about their children, based on guidance from medical professionals.
There are many more articles, studies, and personal essays on the topic of sharenting. If you’ve found a helpful piece or written about your own experience, we’d love to hear about it on social media or through direct messages.
We also referenced a lighthearted “Stay at Home Dad” meme during our talk with Joy — that image is included here for fun. It’s a small reminder that humor and community have a place in these conversations, even as we take privacy seriously.
Finally, we want to thank our episode sponsor, Grove Collaborative, for supporting this conversation. Sponsors help make the podcast possible and allow us to explore topics that matter to families.
Thanks for listening and for thinking critically about how we share our lives online. We hope this conversation helps you find the balance that works for your family.