Comment Policy

by | Feb 20, 2014 | Comment Policy | 26 comments

One of my favorite things about Shower of Roses is hearing from my visitors in the comment box. Living in a rural area and raising a large family without much support for Catholics and Home Education is challenging. I’m so grateful for the friendships, prayers and support I have been blessed with through blogging.

However, the comment box has gotten a little out of control the last couple years, which has resulted in me trying to find different ways to manage the comments that come through, including requiring word verification at times, and ultimately moderating each and every comment, most of which are spam, and which ends up taking more time than I have to spend on the computer.

It is time to make a few changes, starting with installing a new commenting system for all new posts. Hopefully this will make leaving comments easier for all my visitors and also cut back on the time it takes me to moderate comments, leaving me with more time to spend with my family and still continue blogging.

I’ve listed some clear guidelines below for what is allowed, and more importantly what isn’t allowed in the comment box here at Shower of Roses:  (Note: Please read the section titled “No Personal Attack Comments Permitted” and remember that this is my family and a little glimpse at our lives that I am sharing here and not a generic “resource website.”)

Comment Form Guidelines: The comment form must be filled in with a proper or legitimate sounding name and URL. Comments using keywords, spam or splog-like URLs, or suspicious information in the comment form will be edited or deleted.

Email Privacy: Email addresses are required for commenting, and they are not published on the blog, nor shared. They may be used by the blog owner to privately contact the commenter.

Commenter Privacy and Protection: All email, snail mail, phone numbers, and any private and personal information posted in any comment will be deleted as soon as possible to protect the privacy of the commenter. To prevent such editing, never share this private information within the blog comment.

No Personal Attack Comments Permitted: This blog is a digital scrapbook for our family. As much as I love and enjoy sharing what we have been up to here at Shower of Roses, I do not welcome debates or attacks on me, my family, or my faith in my comment box. I do not claim to be an expert on any topic I blog about, nor do I have any sort of authority in the Church. I am just another Catholic mother doing my best to raise the children God has blessed us with and entrusted to our care. Even though many visit this blog looking for ideas to incorporate in their own homes, just because I post something doesn’t mean it is the best option, or that it is even a good idea. My children look back and read through the posts and comments and I do not want them reading comments left (almost always anonymously) about what is wrong with the craft they lovingly created, or how any particular book, activity, our Holy Father the Pope, or even canonized saint(!) that I blog about isn’t “Catholic” enough. The First Amendment gives you the right to express your opinions on your blog not mine. In short, any comment that I do not want my children to read will not be published.

Blog Nicknames: Please refer to my children by their blog nicknames. All comments that include their real names will be edited or deleted.

Language and Manners: This blog is “family friendly” and comments which include offensive or inappropriate language, or considered by the blog owner and administrator to be rude and offensive, will be edited or deleted.

Limit Links: This blog is setup to automatically hold any blog comment with more than two links in moderation, which may delay your comment from appearing on this blog. Any blog comment with more than four links, or which includes affiliate links, could be marked as comment spam. You may, however, post a link to your site or your most recent blog post.

Questions: I do my best to try and include as much information and links in my posts, when possible. If I missed something, you are more than welcome to post follow-up questions in the comment box. If you have a question, chances are you are not the only one. Therefore, I would much rather receive your comments on my blog than via email. It is a better use of my time to address everyone at once rather than answer several emails.

Comment Spam: Any comment assumed to be possible comment spam will be deleted and marked as comment spam.

Commenters Blocked: Anyone who violates this Comment Policy may be blocked from future commenting on this blog.

What To Do If Your Comment Does Not Appear: If you leave a comment on this blog and it does not appear in a reasonable time period, and you know that it does not violate these Comment Policies, please send me an email at jessica(dot)showerofroses(at)gmail(dot)com.

Responses to Comments: Comments on this blog will only be responded to in direct response to the blog comment when possible. I will not respond privately via email or other communication method to a blog comment, so be sure to check back or subscribe to replies if you leave a question.  If I haven’t responded to your question, please feel free to send me a reminder.

All Rights Reserved: I reserve the right to edit, delete, move, or mark as spam any and all comments and block certain IP addresses as necessary. By leaving a comment, you also grant me a license to post your comments. This license is worldwide, irrevocable, non-exclusive, and royalty-free. You grant me the right to store, use, transmit, display, publish, reproduce, and distribute your comments in any format, including but not limited to the blog, in a book, a video, or presentation.

Hold Harmless: You retain ownership of your comments. I do not own them and I expressly disclaim any and all liability that may result from them. By submitting a comment on this blog, you agree that the comment content is your own, and to hold this site, Shower of Roses, and all subsidiaries and representatives harmless from any and all repercussions, damages, or liability.

Trackbacks Are Comments: All trackbacks will be treated inline with the above Comment Policy.

Social Media:  You are more than welcome to follow me at Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Twitter (I’ve never really posted much there), or on the Shower of Roses Facebook Page. I plan to go through my personal Facebook page soon and reduce the “friends” list back down to just close personal friends and family. Usually what I post on Facebook is shared from Instagram anyways.

Note: Comments will continue to be moderated through the new commenting system as I test it out. I will work on adding approved friends and frequent commenters to a “whitelist” so their comments will be published immediately. Thank you for your continued patience during this transition, as I work on setting this all up and working through any technical difficulties, here at Shower of Roses. 

I LOVE getting comments, questions, and emails. I really do! I work hard to answer as many comments and emails as possible, but no matter how hard I try my inbox always fills up faster than I can empty it. In fact the only time it has been emptied completely, for about a day, was when I switched accounts back in the fall of 2011. At this particular moment I have well over 300 emails that have been “saved to answer later” sitting in my inbox…

I DO read every single email (and comments too!) but if I tried to reply to every single one I wouldn’t have any time left to live the life I blog about here at Shower of Roses, or even sleep for that matter. Please accept my sincere apologies if you haven’t heard back from me and thank you for understanding! You are welcome to email me again if you’d like – I usually have every intention of responding but your email happened to come through at an extra busy time and was quickly buried…

Thank you again for all the kind comments, emails, support and prayers. Please continue to pray for us and know that I do pray for all my visitors. May God bless you all!

26 Comments

  1. Kathleen L

    2014-02-21

    Jessica, We (that would be all my children plus me!) love your blog and have been following you for many years! Please keep it up!!!! As a mom of 5, you are an inspiration to our family! We also get the "evil eye"; large family, homeschooling, conservatives, devote Catholics and especially since we attend a Latin Mass. We send you and your family our prayers and hugs, and maybe sometime you can come up our way! We are only a state above you:) Blessings, Kathleen L.

    Reply
  2. linda

    2014-02-20

    Hello Jessica, I just found your site by accident. I am a traditional catholic who used to home school. Now they are mostly grown up, save for one still just half baked muffin going to our church's private school. But I just wanted to say how much fun I have had browsing your site, when I should have been cleaning. (thank you for the excuse). Keep up the good work! Linda M

    Reply
  3. Rachel

    2014-02-20

    I just wanted to say thank you again for doing your blog, which is obviously a lot of work for you, and for allowing us a peek into your family life. You may not realise how uplifting it is reading the posts. We are all in very different situations and it is so important for us to support and encourage one another in the Church. Keeping you and your lovely family in my prayers. Please remember me from time to time in yours. God Bless.

    Reply
  4. Kari

    2014-02-20

    Just wanted to say, I was looking through a Catholic Digest the other day and I was so excited to see some things posted by you in there and a precious picture of Chiquita!

    Reply
  5. Marie

    2014-02-20

    I just wanted to say thanks for all that you do here on Shower of Roses!

    Reply
  6. Ellie

    2014-02-20

    Dear Jessica, I am so sorry that you have had to take such steps but i do understand completely! I have read and enjoyed your blog for many years now — wishing you all the best 🙂 Blogging should be relaxed and peaceful!

    Reply
  7. TheresaEH

    2014-02-20

    I luv the peek you give us into your catholic life. I have also like your suggestions for games or books as I have grandchildren.

    Reply
  8. Barbara Kays

    2014-02-20

    Dear Jessica, I live in France I love your Blog! I'm convert to the Catholic Church you give me so many great ideas that I love to try. Also many of the books you list I had never read before so if I find them on Kindle I plan to buy them for my grandchildren and me. thank you

    Reply
  9. Kelly

    2014-02-20

    Sorry it's even necessary for you to have spent the time to come up with this 🙁 your content, ideas and crafts have always been wonderful and faith filled. I've used many, many if your ideas and my kids have always loved them. Please keep blogging.

    Reply
  10. Mamabearjd

    2014-02-20

    I have often prayed for protection for your sweet family. It is a sad truth that the goodness you show here occasionally brings out ugliness in people. I hope you take it as a sign that you are doing something awesome, inspiring other families to try new things in their domestic church.

    Reply
  11. Kathy@9peas

    2014-02-20

    This is so very good Jessica, I also get upset when reading comments and find something mean spirited. Your rules are completely fair and very wise. God bless you and your family!

    Reply
  12. Mary F

    2014-02-20

    Same here! I wish I had thought of something similar for our own site. We were receiving prayer requests that were basically copied in many other places leaving duplicate content on our site. I am so glad to see that you will not keep comments that you do not want your precious children to read. Why? My own children read nearly every one of your posts. We love your site and your family. Thank you for sharing your talents and the many wonderful projects that you do! Especially the Papal lapbook. I made some mistake or another and wound up printing the pages all tiny and our daughter made both a tiny lapbook and a regular sized one. Hm… I should get a picture of those to send to you. Again and again, thank you for keeping your site family friendly for our family!

    Reply
  13. Navy Wife and Mother

    2014-02-20

    JMJ I think you're doing a great job, Jessica!

    Reply
  14. ELMsTreehouse

    2014-02-20

    Yay! I sure hope this new system helps free up your blogging time to share more fun instead of drudging through "junk mail"! {{hugs}}

    Reply
  15. Eliana

    2014-02-20

    Good for you for doing such a thorough job on the policy. Hopefully it will work really smoothly! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Jessica Gordon

    2014-10-22

    Thank you, Christina. I just sent you an email. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Cecilia

    2018-09-25

    It's a good thing you moderate your comments; on my website, in my forums somebody posted an ad for bad things!

    Reply
  18. Meghan

    2017-03-16

    I'm very excited about all the books you've recommended but my oldest is only five so at the moment, Simon of Cyrene is what I'm most excited about. Thank you for sharing this list!

    Reply
  19. Marion

    2017-02-03

    Thank you for the books on saints. I enjoy reading the lives of numerous saints. Our family has collected books on the saints over the years. Marion

    Reply
  20. Erica

    2014-02-22

    Jessica, thank you for sharing your family with mine. When we read your posts they always make the day a little brighter. Such creative and interesting ideas and suggestions. So many amazing ways to live our faith. I will never understand why certain people need to be so critical and just plain mean. Thanks for all the time you put into your blog. Many Blessings Erica

    Reply
  21. Cathy

    2014-02-21

    Ditto all above comments. Why oh why do some feel the need to be critical. Honestly, your ideas and ways of incorporating our Catholic faith into your everyday life is truly inspirational. Please know that you and your wonderful family are loved by so many.

    Reply
  22. Genevieve

    2014-02-21

    So glad you did this! All very reasonable and understandable. Simplify, simplify! Prayerful wishes! -Genevieve

    Reply
  23. Cherise

    2014-02-21

    You pour your heart into everything you do and it has this wonderful effect of leaving joy, inspiration, and a song of prayer! Your family is loved beyond words! I pray for the very best for you!

    Reply
  24. Cindy

    2014-02-21

    Hi Jessica! Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blog! I love how you incorporate the Catholic faith into your daily life and want to thank you for sharing all of your fun ideas with your readers. Both your family and your readers are truely blessed by all that you do for Shower of Roses. You're an inspiration and role model for other Catholic Women, too! May God continue to shower you with many wonderful blessings!

    Reply
  25. Christina MacCabe

    2014-10-21

    Dear Jessica, Praised be Jesus Christ! Thank you!! Your witness is awesome and gives me great joy to see such holy fun being had on the eve of this most wonderful Feast of All Saints. I sent an email to you asking for permission to use some of your photos in our parish bulletin, but thought perhaps my email may have gone to your spam folder. I would be most grateful for your reply. God bless you, Christina

    Reply
  26. Nora

    I check your posts every year for St. Nick book recommendations. Thanks for all your hel!

    Reply

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Father in heaven, grant me the grace to appreciate the dignity which you have conferred on me. Let me realize that not even the Angels have been blessed with such a privilege—to share in your creative miracle and bring new Saints to heaven. Make me a good mother to all my children after the example of Mary, the Mother of your Son. Through the intercession of Jesus and Mary I ask your continued blessings on my family. Let us all be dedicated to your service on earth and attain the eternal happiness of your kingdom in heaven. Amen.


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Hi! I'm Jessica, a Roman Catholic wife and home educating mother to our nine children. I was home educated myself, along with my eleven younger siblings. I have a special devotion to St. Therese, through whom I have been given much help and many blessings--the beautiful "Shower of Roses" that she has sent my way! Here I will record a few of the blessings I treasure. Please remember that what you see here is just a little glimpse at our lives, so please say a prayer for us, as we continue to strive for holiness.

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