Are You Tired of Putting "Disclaimers" On Your Facebook Posts?

I feel like people get so offended these days that if I post anything that could be construed harsh, political, religious, etc. I have to put a disclaimer on my FB post first.  For example, Will Ferrall was on SNL this past weekend and opened the show as George W. Bush.  There's a point during the skit where a picture of Donald Trump is shown and Will Ferrall completely breaks character and is almost falling over.  I love when cast members break character because it makes the skit even funnier.  I was about to post the video on FB until I realized that I would have to put this disclaimer:  "I'm not posting this for political reasons, I just think the video is funny."  But then I remembered that I did that before (a couple of years ago) and a funny harmless SNL video post turned into a heated political debate.  UGH.

Why do people turn innocent FB statuses into debates?  This past August, my friend was driving home from my house when she had to pass the Woodward Dream Cruise.  A nice family event.  She saw Planned Parenthood posters - you know the ones that show an aborted 20-week-old fetus?  She posted that she didn't think those posters should be up at a family event.  Totally agree.  However, a couple of people cut in and began spewing their views on abortion.  I think she finally put a disclaimer saying she just didn't think the poster was appropriate.

Another example:I don't like my ex-husband.  The only positive thing he's ever done in this world is help create Madelyne.  About a year ago, when he was in between wives, he contacted me hoping to get back together.  After a conversation I had with him, I posted the following status:  

​​"My ex-husband actually told me the other day that he prays for me every night to one day find 'love in my heart for him again.' I asked him how that was working because I told him I’ve prayed for him to be hit by a bus the last three years and obviously so far, my prayers haven’t been answered."  

Most people on my FB know my sense of humor and liked the post.  Some even agreed with me.  And then there were those that were like, "You shouldn't pray for someone's death!"  One person even said, "You shouldn't post about your ex-husband like that."

First, I don't pray for his death but if something happened to him, I wouldn't cry.  That's just me being honest.  Second, I've EARNED the right to say anything I want because that man put me through hell, hell and more hell.  I can't even repeat all of the abuse he spewed at me because it's so vile.  I look forward to the next time I see him because it will probably be in prison when he's arrested for his 3rd domestic violence assault against wife number 4; and I want that image of him in prison orange imprinted on my mind because that will make me smile.  

Anyway, my point is this:  there are a lot of people on FB who post about relationships, exes, problems, etc.  Is it to vent?  A little.  Most, though, it's because others have been in the same situation and it's nice to hear encouragement and advice.  I've given advice to people I've never met in real life but I've become friends with on FB and vice versa.  So stop making people feel bad about that because most of the time, you don't know the entire backstory behind a simple post.

My daughter, Madelyne, was evaluated and has an IQ in the "gifted" range.  I posted this on FB but added the disclaimer, "I'm not bragging.  I just want to know if others out there have a gifted child and need advice on academics, behavioral, etc."  It surprised the heck out of me that people I've known for years have gifted children but never post anything for fear of being judged.  Madelyne got accepted to two private schools in this area.  She had to be evaluated at both schools so it's not a simple "pay-to-get-in" situation.  We've chosen her school for next year.  I haven't posted about it on FB because I don't want to get into a debate about public schools vs. private schools.  I'm a proud mommy bursting with pride and outside of the family, I've shared our decision with 2 people.  That's sad.

There are people I'm friends with on FB who post their views about everything under the sun - and that's okay too!  I may not agree with it, but it doesn't bother me.  I simply scroll past it.  I actually applaud those people who post what could be taken as controversial posts because they have the balls to do it and not care what other people say.  

Look, can we all agree that everyone had different views on abortion, politics, gun control, religions, same sex marriage, immigration, economy, parenting, men, women, children, schools, pizza toppings, pepsi or coke, and probably 800 other things that I can't remember right now?  Everyone has opinions.  We're all entitled to our opinion.  But social media is supposed to be fun.  We post pictures of our kids, holidays, weather, nature, or the like because we want to share.  

I just wish people wouldn't be so easily offended by a simple FB post.  Why is it so hard to just "like" a post or scroll past it?  I once was friends with someone on FB but his posts were SO over-the-top offensive (racist offensive) that I unfriended him.  Problem solved.  He's probably still spewing his bigotry on FB but at least I don't have to read it anymore.

If you are open about your beliefs and share them on FB, good for you.  Keep doing it and don't change.  But for those of us who post to post and share to share, please remember that we're not out to offend anyone.  If you can't handle my sarcasm, my vents, my "bragging" about Madelyne, then either scroll past my posts, hide my posts from your feed, or unfriend me.  It's that simple.