Why Don’t You?

Two years ago, when I started my blog, I thought up a name for it that simply stated who I was and what I was doing. Seemed easy enough. It’s still true and it’s still the name I’m using.

Because I thought I had things to say and a unique perspective, I made social media pages to go along with it. Same name. Easy peasy.

I would’ve never guessed that something so simple would get some of the “attention” that it has. It’s become painfully obvious to me now that men (mostly) around the world type in single moms and go internet fishing. Some want sexual partners, some want wives, and some want an easy mark for their next scam.

I’ve shared screenshots of a few conversations on my social media sites. I try to make light of the ridiculousness that comes at me. Laughing about it seems healthier than getting hopping mad about it every time.

In my attempt to invite humor, I’ve found another interesting side effect. Repeatedly, I get asked (by well meaning people) to do something differently; change settings, change privacy, etc. This chaps my hide even more than the unwanted advances. Why? Have I done anything wrong? No. Am I just being myself on the internet? Yes. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT!

That’s the thing. It’s never appropriate to come at someone with requests for sexual gratification, pictures of your body parts they haven’t asked to see, or proposals of marriage. That is entirely on them! They own ALL of that behavior. I don’t.

This is what I’ve been raising my son to understand. It’s my own modern day Berenstain Bears lesson. “See what these men are doing? Don’t do that.”