February 29, 2012

You never know the impact your blog post will have






I read a lot of blog posts. Loads of them.

I love being able to be a little inside the minds of others. I love to read about what happens in their worlds and draw inspiration from their insights. I hope too, that ocasionally I can offer insight back in return.

As a parent, and particularly as a parent of a child with special needs, it is an absolute gift to have access to the often wise words from our global internet village of mums and dads. Parenting can be an isolating gig and sometimes it strikes me as a wee bit sad that the actual, real life village is often not there and for many of us, there is this, blog and social media land, to make these connections. But no matter because I reckon the universe gives you what you need when you need it. Perhaps where it comes from is not important.

Every now and then, I read a blog post that literally shifts something in me. A post that connects with me, speaks to me, takes some issue I have been struggling with into a new paradigm. That happened to me the day before yesterday when I came across this post. Ruth from Gourmet Girlfriend writes sagely in the post about fussy eating and her approach to feeding her kids - and when I started to read, I sat up and really took notice. She knows stuff - she has five, yes, 5 boys. So run away now and read the post and come back if you like...

I cried when I read it because I realised just how much I have been beating myself up about what the Batsman and the Bowler will and won't eat. The Batsman's sensory sensitivities (thank you autism, not), add a layer of complication to the eating caper that at many a dinner time has figuratively brought me to my parenting knees. I'm not going to air that pain here because I just don't want to give it any more power.

So I read Ruth's post and since I did I have been:
  • reading cookbooks and food magazines and getting re-inspired about things I can cook for us to eat as a family.
  • consciously reminding myself to let go of the stress and self flogging that for such a long time has gone with feeding the boys.
  • feeling freed up
  • going back and reading the post a few more times!

Something has shifted in my mind about this whole issue. It feels great.
Tonight, for the first time ever, yes EVER, the Batsman ate pieces of chicken breast that hadn't been chopped, minced, hidden or otherwise kitchen modified. He ate beautiful, crumbed and seasoned chunks of chicken breast. He chewed and chatted and swallowed without angst or upset.

It was amazing. And I can't help but think that perhaps Ruth's post had more than a little to do with it. The universe gives you what you need.

And what I want to say most of all is that we all have this most amazing opportunity when we blog, to put words out there for others to read and be inspired by. You never know the impact your blog post will have.









Image via we heart it

14 comments:

  1. Blogging just keeps on giving, even when you think you have had enough of it, the next day, or post tells you or connects you to something and you are addicted all over again.

    Yay for crumbed chicken!

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  2. Love this post, and I love the post that inspired it.

    xox

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  3. I re-read that post yesterday too.

    That's the thing about blogging, and the universe, it does keep on giving often when you least expect it.

    Yay for blogging, yay for crumbed chicken. x

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  4. ... very true. and such a relief when they eat "normal" food.

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  5. Love both of these posts as well - the inspired and the inspired by. So wonderful how a post can shape your views, shift your world and it's even more amazing when it's such a positive impact reaching beyond yourself. xx

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  6. That Ruth is such a gem.
    Love her.
    So pleased for you.

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  7. Oh lovely lady!! How amazing for you all to have had such a huge shift and for your young man to be enjoying food in a new way. The community of bloggers is an amazing place and Ruth has helped me through my fair share of issues too. Naomi actually said something in my post lady week that was a major paradigm shift for me too. I don't know why the support isn't there IRL but for me, it just isn't in a huge way. Here, online, people have helped me through many, many, many issues. I really look forward to hearing how things go with your renewed passion and "attitude". Xxxx

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  8. Beautiful post, Suz. I loved that post of Ruth's - I love all her posts, but that one was particularly amazing. Gotta love stress-free family dinners!

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  9. So good! I would like to think I have played a tiny part by expressing my frustration about feeding toddlers. Ruth is indeed amazing. So are you. It can only be on the up!

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  10. Angus often as weetbix for lunch, and sometimes dinner as well. This post makes me feel so much better about things!

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  11. You inspired me to do a post!

    Which is pretty big considering my lack of interest in my blog atm!

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  12. anything that stops us mums beating ourselves up is a good thing.

    Boo used to only eat pale coloured food and fruit. I was told not to worry that he was obviously getting his nutrition but still I fretted cause a sandwich or chicken nuggets for dinner every night cannot be good.

    Then he started doing cooking at school. And trying the food (OMG WHAT?!?!) and now he is eating lettuce and carrot and peas and chicken that has not been fried OMG HUZZAH!

    I honestly think because I was fretting so much I was making him anxious about eating, and he knew that he could always have a sandwich. At school it was what they cooked or nothing...

    These kids are frustratingly awesome.

    x

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  13. As Ruth's mother I am just so proud of the influence she is having with her blog. Not only does she write and illustrate her words with such creativity but her thoughts and ideas all come from her hugely generous heart. It is so good to know that all you mothers 'out there' are working so hard for your children -perhaps too hard sometimes for your own good. I am so glad if you can relax and let go and love those weetbix. (Ruth had plenty as a littlie!)Every best wish to you with your various challenges. Your children are so lucky to have you.

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  14. What a lovely post
    I'm always amazed by how much I get from the blogging world
    xx

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