Privacy Policy

Dear Readers,

We take your privacy very seriously here at The Shape of a Mother (SOAM). This website is one in which the participants are particularly vulnerable as the concept revolves around sharing the most private parts of our lives. Below, please read our privacy policy regarding both your direct participation (submissions you choose to send in) and your indirection participation (information collected on your visit here).

This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for TheShapeofaMother.com. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website. It will notify you of the following:

*What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website, how it is used and with whom it may be shared.
*What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data.
*The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information.
*How you can correct any inaccuracies in the information.

Direct Participation:
When you directly participate here at SOAM (through a submission with or without photos, a comment, an email, or through one of our social media accounts) your information remains with us. You may choose to participate or not. Those who have submitted their own personal stories may email us at any time to request to have your submissions deleted if you have changed your mind for any reason. Your personal info is kept completely separate from the information uploaded to the blog by the owner or employee of SOAM. You may choose to share a name, a pseudonym, or to post anonymously, regardless, any email addresses or last names will not be shared (except when requested, such as when an artist or author wants their full name listed). The comments are screened to keep out trolls and to curate a safe space for vulnerability. Email addresses of commenters are not visible to the public.

We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than as necessary to fulfill your request, e.g. to ship a contest winner’s prize, etc.

Direct and Indirect Participation:
Information Collection, Use, and Sharing
We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you (including on social media sites). We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.

Your Access to and Control Over Information
You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via email:

*See what data we have about you, if any.
*Change/correct any data we have about you.
*Have us delete any data we have about you.
*Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

Cookies
We use “cookies” on this site. A cookie is a piece of data stored on a site visitor’s hard drive to help us improve your access to our site and identify repeat visitors to our site. For instance, when we use a cookie to identify you, you would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. Cookies can also enable us to track and target the interests of our users to enhance the experience on our site. Usage of a cookie is in no way linked to any personally identifiable information on our site.

Some of our business partners may use cookies on our site (for example, advertisers). However, we have no access to or control over these cookies.

Links
This website contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of any other site that collects personally identifiable information.

Surveys & Contests
From time-to-time our site requests information via surveys or contests. Participation in these surveys or contests is completely voluntary and you may choose whether or not to participate and therefore disclose this information. Information requested may include contact information (such as name and shipping address), and demographic information (such as zip code, age level). Contact information will be used to notify the winners and award prizes. Survey information will be used for purposes of monitoring or improving the use and satisfaction of this site.

If you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, you should contact us immediately via email.

Thank you for being here. The information collected here in various manners is used to help fulfill the mission of this site which is ultimately to help create a better world for girls, women, and everyone. You are appreciated.

Blessings,
Bonnie