Social media madness

I have a confession to make. I may have accidentally found myself looking at uni courses earlier this week. It was an accident. I promise! Nevertheless, expect a spate of blog posts as I remind myself that writing is a more fun, cheaper, less stressful, and a more manageable lifestyle choice for me at this point in my life.

See. All written down. And on the internet. So it must be true.

The internet is the point of this post, and more specifically the sudden increase of social media types that I have suddenly found myself using.

I've written before about how much I love Facebook, but in the world BFB (Before Facebook, for those not in the know), I did have a very short affair with Myspace. My Myspace page had a pet pig that belonged to me and a pet tiger that belonged to DB. I still occasionally visit them.

Buglet was highly amused to discover this, when it randomly came up a friend's birthday party. Much to our amusement she promptly opened an account. About two days later she closed it after declaring that she didn't get it. I am pretty sure that this is the 21st century version of messing around on a typewriter for those of us who grew up learning to type on computers, however basic those computers may have been. Black screens with green writing anyone?

In the last two months I have started a Pinterest account, a Twitter account, and an Instagram account. (Links in the side bar. Except to Instagram, I haven't worked out how to add a link to that one yet, but you can find us at @philosophy_minors).

There is a reason for that sudden influx. In February I went to a Progblogger event, and having a profile across multiple platforms was one of the tips I was given. See I can follow instructions!

So far I think Twitter is working well for me, and probably for all my Facebook friends who may have been sick of being spammed by me. From a Philosophy Minors point of view, I am still using the Facebook page for quotes from the Entourage, for stories, and for sharing other people's memes. Twitter is more of a stream of my consciousness. That said, check out #Buglet, #Tink, and #Pixie if you want to find posts relating to the girls. I also use the #lifewithteenagers a lot for posts about the girls. But if you want an insight into the vagueness of my mind and if you enjoy random thoughts that is the place to go. If you do check it out, I will leave it up to you to decide which of the girls' traits come from me!

There has been family interest in the Twitter account. Buglet was totally thrown by the fact I had started one. The Pixie suddenly started offering all sorts of useful tips on how to increase my followers so that I "could beat Buglet". She doesn't have an account, so how she became the Twitter expert I don't know.

Blogging while watching the girls' dance class in my Dance Mum Hoodie
Instagram photo.

Instagram is brand new. I only started the account on Friday. But there will be pictures. Of the Pixie's artwork, of Tink's hairstyles, and lots of food posts because Buglet specifically gave me instructions to not become the sort of person who posts pictures of all her meals. So far I have only posted one in five days so don't let this put you off. I think I have been spending too much time with teenagers. The urge to start an account increased just to be contrary. Annoying my children seems to be a trait I have been developing lately.

That should distract me from studying for a while, right? Updating multiple social media accounts and attempting to not be totally boring takes a quite a lot of effort. I can see why businesses outsource it for time management purposes. So much fun though!

Any thoughts on the most useful social media platforms? What do you find the most fun?

Disclaimer:

• It is doubtful I am qualified to give parenting advice, there is still time for me to stuff up.
• I am not qualified to give social media advice.
• The Pixie is definitely not qualified to give social media advice.
• I am not even allowed to give legal advice without supervision.

I would recommend finding more reliable sources for any advice of any nature.

Liking v Liking

Despite how it might appear, I didn't take the decision to write about the girls in a public forum lightly.

The girls loved the "Pixie quotes" on facebook, they helped choose the name, approved their alias names, and I was very pleased when Buglet and Tink liked the blog page on facebook. Tink has even shared a couple of stories.

A few nights ago, the Pixie and I went for a drive to pick up a trampoline from a friends's place. We are re-homing it.

Pixie is a bit excited to be getting a new trampoline.

I am excited how well Paris the Yaris held up to the strain! Little cars can be tough too!

 

I find car trips are a great time to chat with the girls; just in case you haven't noticed this. This particular car trip was where Buglet told me all about her rugby playing adventures including the "you can't put this on facebook but you are fine to put it on the blog" bit.

It seemed like a good time to ask the Pixie how she felt about the blog. She told me that Buglet had shown her the carwash post.

Pixie: I was amazing wasn't I Mummy?!
Me: Yes you were baby, but did you like the post?
Pixie: No. I was looking at it on Buglet's facebook. I am not allowed my own facebook. I don't know if Buglet liked it.
Me: No not facebook liking something, real liking something.
*confused look from the Pixie*
Me: I mean does it make you happy that I write about you and people can read it.
Pixie: Yes! I am amazing!

That counts as permission doesn't it? But talk about a generation gap. Back in my day, liking something was a feeling and not a physical action online!

I have certainly never said there are not an awful lot of confusing conversations that happen in the car.

Last night was a good example.

Me: You're not allowed to be sarcastic.
Pixie: But I am tone deaf.
Me: I don't understand.
Pixie: I am tone deaf. So I don't know if I am bring sarcastic, I can't hear the tone.
*awkward silence*
Pixie: Mama!! You could put air freshners in your bag! I am a genius! Are you proud of me?
Me: Always baby.
Pixie: I am going to make millions one day. Half for me, half for Mummy.
Tink: What about Flip-Flop?
Pixie: I am going to buy her a gold dog bowl.
Me: You loving her is all she will ever really want.

She really does have it all sussed out. As much as I hate driving, my life would not be nearly as intresting without our car conversations.

You can't leave it all up to me .....

The Pixie's quote of the day (to her sisters during a family discussion about a good name for this blog): "You two had better start saying funny stuff. You can't leave this all up to me"

Bast part of this quote, she had no idea she was being funny when she said it

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The concept of a family blog has been around for a while. Once I finally decided to actually do it, I naturally mentioned it to the children. Partly out of habit, partly because if they hated the idea of me writing about them I would have had to rethink, partly because I wanted to hear what suggestions they would come up with for a name. Their preferred choice of name has been "The Pixie's quote of the day" (disappointing, I was hoping for something more original). Tinks in particular was in favour of this; funnily enough the Pixie had lost interest. However, I am pretty sure that as a parent who is responsible for bringing them up to be useful members of society, Pixie having a blog named after her is not in anyone's best interest, especially as the above quote shows! Plus I'd hate to put her under any pressure.

I happen to like the name.

The girls are not so keen, even once I explained the "clever double meaning".

I am the mother. Sometimes I get veto rights. Especially when I am the person actually writing, even if they are providing the material., so unless anyone else has any brilliant suggestions, the name stands.

I suppose some credit should go to their father; his suggestion was "my mini philosophers".

Just as a side note, neither of us has actually minored, or majored for that matter, in philosophy. My mum is a PhD. Try explaining to my girls why she is a "Doctor of Philosophy" in Maths! This did not help their liking of the name.

And special mention to my facebook friend who suggested the name "You can't leave it all up to me" after reading the above quote. This post is for you!