I’ve always been a little reserved on my blog. When Nick and I started dating (nine years ago), he did not want to be featured on it and that was fine. I had been doing YouTube videos long enough at that point to get that people’s privacy should be respected, especially when it comes to social media and specifically YouTube.
I built a thick skin early on because I had to. People called me overweight, a bitch, ugly, weird nose, blah blah blah… I tuned out the comments and stayed focused. I basically created my dream job and wasn’t going to let some trolls keep me from pursuing this new career.
Then I had friends guest star in videos here and there. Even they were not exempt from the nasty online comments. I tried to delete them but not before their feelings were hurt. So, I stuck to the more professional type of videos on YouTube featuring workouts and recipes rather than shine a light on my personal life.
Then I started to notice that my more personal videos and images on Instagram do really well. People were so kind and loved seeing Tommy. I decided maybe it was time to do a little more family stuff on my YouTube channel.
I decided to commit for 8 weeks to doing a family-style vlog featuring my day to day stuff once a week. The initial feedback was overwhelmingly positive even if one dude wondered if it was necessary for me to be nursing in one of the shots. He thought I was trying to show off. I really didn’t even have an answer for that it’s such an absurd claim.
Then I uploaded this video yesterday:
And I should have known better…
Well, maybe I shouldn’t have chosen the week Tommy went in for his 12 month check up and the Women’s March to start… Vaccines and politics in my first family vlog probably wasn’t the way to go but I had already committed to starting that week.
I managed to piss off a few people but the majority of the comments were positive. I honestly didn’t think I was being very political and now I realize how naive that was of me. I now am questioning how much of Tommy I should even put in the next 7 videos. Am I being an asshole parent for putting him on my YouTube channel? How do the daily family vloggers deal with haters commenting on their family or children!?
I kept him off my social media channels for so long and have slowly added him because it’s how my family that lives far away sees him, especially my dad (who doesn’t have FaceTime or picture text messages and is a religious reader of SarahFit). Hi Dad! No one has said anything negative about or towards Tommy… yet. But am I really going to wait for that to happen?
I’m sharing the video here on my blog because I put time into filming and editing the video. It gives a small glimpse of what my life is now like. If you like the family vlog (politics or not), let me know in the comments. I’m going to try to do them for 8 straight weeks and decide if I want to continue at that point.
One YouTube comment did strike me and I should address that I do feel that people are entitled to different opinions, specifically this person was talking about vaccines. I said that people who don’t vaccinate their kids haven’t done enough research and I should have said that after doing my own research, I chose to vaccinate my child. It’s a ten minute video and the politics really are only like 30 seconds of the entire thing. You’re missing out on some cute Tommy video if you skip it.
Peace. ✌????
Hi Sarah!
I love your blog, and new family vlog videos! I have a son who is a few weeks younger than Tommy so I love all the Tommy updates.
I also love how real and honest you are, Don’t let the trolls hold you back!
Hi Sarah! I just took my 12 month old son for his check up and instead of drawing blood with a needle they were able to do a finger prick and get enough blood for the test that way. Maybe something your pediatrician can do as well? My little guy didn’t even feel the finger prick! Best of luck, I know the heartbreak of seeing your little one so
Upset at the doctor!
Hi! I work at CDC, so I am definitely NOT an anti-vaxxer, but I was a little surprised by your statement that anyone who disagrees with them just hasn’t done their research. It just struck me as completely negating any reason for which someone would choose not to vaccinate and I think that’s a lot of the problem we’re seeing in politics right now. By completely dismissing opposing viewpoints out of hand, you alienate people, which immediately turns them off. And leads to no real, fruitful discussion. Glad to hear you address that here. And I am so glad you took Tommy to the march! Even if he doesn’t remember it, it was a momentous occasion and something you can talk to him about when he’s older. And, I absolutely adore these vlogs. Tommy is just the cutest. I have a little one a few months younger, so I appreciate hearing what could be on the horizon for us. I always feel so bad for the kids whose parents blast really personal parts of their kids lives on social media. Potty breaks, dirty diapers, nakedness. Those things would be mortifying as an adult. You’ve always been tasteful and respectful. Ultimately, it’s a decision y’all have to make as a family but I, for one, am a Tommy Fit Fan! 🙂 Have a great week!
I think you’re totally right on my statement and actually edited the video and hence my note in the blog post. Glad you like the vlogs and I appreciate you taking the time to comment here.
I loved the family vlog! I hope you continue to post. I can understand wanting to keep your son’s privacy but hope you keep up with them. Thanks for sharing!
I don’t think you are an assshole parent for including Tommy, I think you’d be an asshole parent for not being concerned and questioning decisions as you navigate parenthood for the first time!
Like you, I post pictures of my 4 month old son to share with family and friends. All of my family lives out of state and across the country, so I know they appreciate glimpses into his life.
I think you are doing a great job of including Tommy when you feel it’s appropriate and when you feel comfortable. People who pick on children as assholes, and unfortunately there are always going to be those who feel the need to put others down to make themselves feel better.
Sara
thank you so much for sharing so much of your life. I am a new mom and it helps me to feel normal when you post about working out as a mom
thank you!!!!!+
sarah,
I do have a quick question, do you feel guilty about exercising as a mom? my daughter is 4m old and I work full time (so during the week I don’t get much time with her because she goes to sleep at 6) and I feel like the time I spend working out (now it is usually no more than 30min) I should be with her. I usually get a run in or a hit workout before she wakes up, but I still feel guilty… do you feel this way?
Since I work from home while taking care of Tommy, I do not have the same guilt you have but I totally empathize with you! I don’t know what I would do. My recommendation would be try fitting it into the weekends. Nick knows it’s important to me so he always is willing to watch Tommy so I can go do my thing. I do feel like I have to choose between a hair cut or shopping or a workout but never two or three. During the week, see if you can fit in a lunch time workout or before she wakes up. Try to do this one or two times a week. You also can try working out after she goes to bed! I know that’s not ideal but prebaby, I would take classes at 7pm. Now I’m too tired personally but I also did not like morning workouts hah. So yes, I feel the guilt and I get it!