Aibu in thinking this is explotative

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I can't link it but I read an article today about a woman who blogs about her son whom she refers to as gender non conforming. He's 7 and from the flick through I gave the blog it's about his life and the family's. raisingmyrainbow.com/

She's also got what appears to be a popular book out.

My query is whether any agrees that this is exploitative of the child? What's really interesting is that on the few posts I looked at the photos are all carefully taken so as not to show the little child's face. So clearly there's some thought given to privacy but it can't be anything other than a nod to it when the whole blog identifies the family.

Please don't get me wrong. I don't think the child has a thing in the world to be ashamed of but surely it must be weird to have a parent so invested in your differences that she's making a living out of publishing about you? And what will he feel when he's old enough to make a decision about how much of his life he wants to share on the net.

Maybe the same could be said about any blogging parent. I don't even put photos of mine on Facebook.

Havent read the blog (parenting blogs bore me), but interesting points raised. Friends have said to me over the years 'you should write a blog about your experiences with your DS' (I used t be a hack; he has autism). I have always resisted, partly because I think it would be self indulgent drivel , but mainly because it feels disloyal to him. Heis a child. He has no choice in th matter, and it would feel really unfair to maunder on about all of HIS challenges on a public, published forum.

I agree with pictish, the book and blog might as well be the words "me me me, look at me" repeated ad infinitum. I feel sorry for the kid, he is in for a big shock when he reaches the adult world and realises he is not such a speshul snowflake after all, just a person like everyone else.

Grassissinging - for what it's worth I think you've made the right decision.

This woman just sets my teeth on edge - I read the article in the Times Magazine on Saturday as well. She just seems so utterly self-absorbed and, yes, exploitative. It's maybe wrong of me, but I really want the child to suddenly start expressing an interest in, oh I don't know, cars or mud or conkers or whatever. I think it would really annoy her

Yes. It's exploitative. It's Julie Myerson syndrome.

Everyone is trying so hard to be different they all sound the same.

The 'Look at me' syndrome is spreading and becoming more and more absurd.

Yes, it is exploitive. I am a blogger (not a parenting blogger though), and I have occasionally mentioned my children on my personal blog, but either in very general terms, or if I've been specific it was when they were much older than seven and able to give permission. It makes me cringe to see such personal information being published about such a young child :(

Really hoping this boy grows up to be a macho, rugby playing, motorbike rider, with a big bushy beard and lots of tattoos. (Not that I'm saying those things are for men only, but I get the feeling his mother will think so