Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

Doesn't that probably describe 99% of the posters on here? How many of us do not have our basic needs met and then some (and then some and then some)? And how many of us, with enough time to post on this website, don't have enough time to "enjoy the small things?" Really? To me (and this is just my opinion, and I have never met her and only "know" her though her blog) she does not seem egotistical. It is an ironic criticism coming from DCUM, that she is "striving." Hmmm. I can understand that some people feel that she is showing off. I don't personally see it that way though.

I'm a teacher and single mom, so I can say for sure I'm not part of the "99%". Just sayin'. And I'm striving ALL THE *&%#ing time. Striving to keep up. So after looking at her blog, with her in her ridiculous white gown standing in the woods, and her daughters' outfits probably costing more than my own, I feel entitled to say YUCK.

You're entitled to say "yuck" because of a photograph she has with her children wearing nice clothing? You entered the education field know what the pay is like. Still, you chose it. It's a noble field, but perhaps it isn't the one for you if you would rather buy the expensive clothing you judge others for wearing?

I doubt you're striving all the time... you're on DCUM whining.

I'm entitled to say yuck not b/c I'm jealous of her children's clothing, for pete's sake. Get a clue. I love my career and wouldn't change it. She just strikes me as pretentious. And with that being said, I will not be looking at her blog again.

Some woman publishes a blog with pictures of her kids prominently displayed for every perv on the internet to see? Great mom there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

Doesn't that probably describe 99% of the posters on here? How many of us do not have our basic needs met and then some (and then some and then some)? And how many of us, with enough time to post on this website, don't have enough time to "enjoy the small things?" Really? To me (and this is just my opinion, and I have never met her and only "know" her though her blog) she does not seem egotistical. It is an ironic criticism coming from DCUM, that she is "striving." Hmmm. I can understand that some people feel that she is showing off. I don't personally see it that way though.

I'm a teacher and single mom, so I can say for sure I'm not part of the "99%". Just sayin'. And I'm striving ALL THE *&%#ing time. Striving to keep up. So after looking at her blog, with her in her ridiculous white gown standing in the woods, and her daughters' outfits probably costing more than my own, I feel entitled to say YUCK.

You're entitled to say "yuck" because of a photograph she has with her children wearing nice clothing? You entered the education field know what the pay is like. Still, you chose it. It's a noble field, but perhaps it isn't the one for you if you would rather buy the expensive clothing you judge others for wearing?

I doubt you're striving all the time... you're on DCUM whining.

Can't she "enjoy the small things" without putting it out there for everyone's voyeuristic gaze? It's evident that she thrives on the attention. Can't life be lived today without documenting on the internet every "small thing" ? And then manipulating every "small thing" until it's been morphed into some rosy facade of life? It's just warped. I'm not talking about this woman in particular, although she's an apt example.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

Doesn't that probably describe 99% of the posters on here? How many of us do not have our basic needs met and then some (and then some and then some)? And how many of us, with enough time to post on this website, don't have enough time to "enjoy the small things?" Really? To me (and this is just my opinion, and I have never met her and only "know" her though her blog) she does not seem egotistical. It is an ironic criticism coming from DCUM, that she is "striving." Hmmm. I can understand that some people feel that she is showing off. I don't personally see it that way though.

I'm a teacher and single mom, so I can say for sure I'm not part of the "99%". Just sayin'. And I'm striving ALL THE *&%#ing time. Striving to keep up. So after looking at her blog, with her in her ridiculous white gown standing in the woods, and her daughters' outfits probably costing more than my own, I feel entitled to say YUCK.

Really, you don't have your basic needs met? Cause if you're surfing the internets you probably do. You may not be as well off as Kelle Hampton (and who knows how well off she really is) but I'm sure you do have your basic needs met. And even people who are not financially well off can indeed stop and "enjoy the small things." You don't need to be rich to appreciate life. And if you actually read her blog you'd see that she shops at the gap and gap outlets etc. I mean it's well within your right not to like her blog of course. But on a website where posters regulary post how poor they feel with their 200K plus HHI, the criticisms of her supposed wealth is ironic.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

Doesn't that probably describe 99% of the posters on here? How many of us do not have our basic needs met and then some (and then some and then some)? And how many of us, with enough time to post on this website, don't have enough time to "enjoy the small things?" Really? To me (and this is just my opinion, and I have never met her and only "know" her though her blog) she does not seem egotistical. It is an ironic criticism coming from DCUM, that she is "striving." Hmmm. I can understand that some people feel that she is showing off. I don't personally see it that way though.

I'm a teacher and single mom, so I can say for sure I'm not part of the "99%". Just sayin'. And I'm striving ALL THE *&%#ing time. Striving to keep up. So after looking at her blog, with her in her ridiculous white gown standing in the woods, and her daughters' outfits probably costing more than my own, I feel entitled to say YUCK.

Omg, I think this all the time about her blog. Love that I'm not the only one. I don't go to her blog anymore because my child will never be dressed like that, I'll never look like that, or have a house like that, or have time or creativity enough for crafts like that. So I can do without the drop in esteem and don't check her out. But yeah, I'm totally with ya.

Anonymous wrote:I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

Doesn't that probably describe 99% of the posters on here? How many of us do not have our basic needs met and then some (and then some and then some)? And how many of us, with enough time to post on this website, don't have enough time to "enjoy the small things?" Really? To me (and this is just my opinion, and I have never met her and only "know" her though her blog) she does not seem egotistical. It is an ironic criticism coming from DCUM, that she is "striving." Hmmm. I can understand that some people feel that she is showing off. I don't personally see it that way though.

She's quite enamored of herself, isn't she?

I think the problem I have with her is that it's entirely and abundantly evident that ALL her basic needs are met to the nth degree, so yes, she does have time to "enjoy the small things." Her ego, her striving, all of that is right there on the surface. It's not appealing.

I think she personifies the quote: "People are as happy as they make their minds up to be." Or something like that. Anyway I suspect many people here criticizing have not really read her blog...you go there, see a beautiful woman in a nice house with lots of beautiful photos, and dismiss her. Which is fine. Even people who do read her blog aren't always going to find that her way of looking at things will appeal to them. But she does talk about hardships and doubt and sadness, her blog just isn't primarily about that. It's about, "enjoying the small things."

And maybe the daughter who has Down syndrome will face more challenges as she gets older...but why should that make her mother negative right now? I think many people have this reaction to her because they wish they could adopt an outlook more like hers...live in the present, appreciate what is here and now, accentuate the positive, keep putting one foot in front of the other. Do you really believe a person couldn't do that? That is what she is really about, at least in my opinion.

And how could anyone possibly know that she has "too much time on her hands?" I doubt it...two kids, one with special needs, a photography business, a high profile blog, not to mention two teenage step sons, a house, a spouse, a multitude of pets, and freelance writing, etc, etc....

As a PP observed, sometimes the weight of raising a SN child does not 'hit' you until years later. I am a mom to a child with moderate needs, requiring physical and occupational therapy, 2-4/week. Years 0-5 were sunny, rosey, optimistic. And now we are 6. And now first grade starts, and the challenges of getting the right school placement, of your child not progressing as far and as fast as you expected and hoped, and the heartache of her/him realizing he is 'different' and other kids realizing it and no longer wanting to be a friend...anyway, she might have not yet had the weight of it all hit. It will, unfortunately.

And my child has a SN that does not shorten or threaten potentially life, as I understand a DS child might have.

Pretentious and overwrought drivel from a privileged woman with too much time on her hands. Who cares?

Gag.

Anonymous wrote:As the mom of a special needs child, I have a lot -- a lot -- of problems with Kelle Hampton. Every day is sunshine and lollipops for her. I have no problem with the fact that she clearly adores her special needs kid. But she doesn't seem to have "wrestled the bear" as we said in law school. She glosses over any problem and never discusses any situation that might verge on sadness in any depth. She just moves on to how beautiful it all is. It's just not real to me. I see how many awards she gets for "Best Special Needs Blog" and I can see it's all quite appealing to outsiders -- no one has to deal with the actual pain of having a special needs child. Just the beauty.

Well put. There should be a balance presented. There are 'beautiful' days, but there area also very very '$hitastic' days...

It's so interesting how differently people approach things. I read her blog and I really like it! I find it inspiring even though I'm not as thin, pretty, crafty, don't have as many friends, and would most definitely not handle things as optimistically and with as much positivity as her. But I am a happy person and I don't feel bad about myself when I read her blog...I just think...if she can do it, maybe I can too. It inspires me. She does take beautiful photos and I really enjoy looking at them...mine are not as good, but again, I'm not a professional and it inspires me to learn more about my camera and take better pictures. I think she seems very sincere and honest but to me she just seems like an eternal optimist. Everyone has a different way of handling adversity and maybe hers is to live in the moment and the here and now. I understand that others in her situation who have a child unexpectedly born with a SN may not be as positive, or they may need to talk about it more, or they may be more worried...and I would too! But it takes all kinds, right? Her blog isn't going to appeal to everyone, but nothing does.

And by the way I sent a small donation to her birthday fundraiser for Nella...she raised, in two weeks, slightly over $100,000 for the National Down Syndrome Society. Hard to criticize that when push comes to shove.