“I’m okay with it, but how will my children feel about it later on?”
Image: Nine IJff
Mariëtte Middelbeek is a journalist and author, and a columnist for Kek Mama. She and her husband Erik have two children: son Casper and daughter Nora.
“Oh yes, the Chinese.” With a face as if he has been tried and tested in world politics, Casper watches the Youth News. It’s about the Chinese hands TikTok is in and associated data challenges.
“What matters, mom, is privacy. That is one of your most important rights”
I find this difficult to interpret myself, but my eight-year-old is apparently well informed. “What matters, mom, is privacy. That is one of your most important rights.” Um, is this the kid who just eight years ago sucked my little finger?
Privacy
That was also about the time I started this column. It was with great pleasure that I wrote about my children and my wonders and challenges as a mother. They don’t stop, because I’m starting to believe that they will continue well beyond voting age, but something has changed.
“Privacy, mom”, to use Casper’s words. He and Nora are regularly approached about what I have written about them. That’s okay because I only share what I think won’t harm them. And that keyboard hero(in) Jen If Fer or RaRaBlaBla sometimes believes that the offspring with such a mother can better be handed over to Youth Services, I will survive that.
But it’s starting to control my thoughts more and more. I can think that what I write is okay, but what do they think about it? Can they estimate that for later? Can I estimate that for later? I don’t think so, and now that they’re at an age when the sleeping troubles and vegetable challenges are pretty much behind them, what I write about them is often personal. Can I just throw all that into the world?
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Share adventures
No, I decided after much – very long – consideration. I’ve always really enjoyed writing this column, but it’s time to stop.
“I am happy to have been able to share our adventures here for so long”
The Youth Journal has since continued. Casper has drawn his conclusions: “You never know with the Chinese.” Okay honey, I think, and I stroke his curls. Nor with you and Noor, as it turned out. And I’m glad I got to share them and my adventures here for so long.
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