From WordPress Overwhelm to Publii Simplicity: Setting Up My Son’s First Blog

As someone who runs a WordPress site myself, I naturally thought setting one up for my nine-year-old son would be a breeze. After all, I know the ins and outs of WordPress, so why not share that with him? We sat down together, going through the menus with him over my shoulder, but it quickly became clear: this was too much.

WordPress is powerful, but it’s also complex. The endless settings, plugin choices, and security updates can overwhelm even experienced users — let alone a child just starting out. I realised that handing him the keys to a full WordPress site was like giving him a sports car without a driving lesson. It wasn’t the right fit for his age or experience.

So, I pulled the plug on WordPress for his site and installed Publii on his Fedora PC instead. Publii is a desktop-based static site generator with a clean, user-friendly GUI. It lets him build his Pokémon blog offline, without worrying about databases, PHP, or plugin vulnerabilities. He writes and designs locally, then syncs the static HTML files to a dedicated LXC container I set up just for him.

Behind the scenes, I use my reverse proxy and his chosen domain to serve the site securely. This container is isolated from the rest of my home lab, reducing risk while giving him a real platform to learn and grow. The setup is simple enough for him to manage independently, yet robust enough to protect our network and privacy.

Today, my son has real tools and opportunities to share his passion with the world, safely and privately. He’s learning about web technologies, content creation, and the importance of digital security — all while having fun with Pokémon.

Why Publii Over WordPress?

WordPress is a dynamic, database-driven platform that requires constant maintenance and vigilance. For a child, it’s a potential minefield of security risks and complexity. Publii, on the other hand, generates static HTML files — no database, no backend code, no plugin vulnerabilities. It’s “unhackable” in the traditional sense and much faster.

Plus, Publii’s offline editing means my son can work on his blog anytime, even without internet access. The “master copy” lives safely on his PC, so if he makes a mistake, it’s easy to fix before syncing.

This isn’t just about publishing posts; it’s a hands-on lesson in how the internet actually works, from Markdown files to isolated containers.

Securing the Home Lab

Running his blog in a dedicated LXC container behind my reverse proxy lets me isolate his site from the rest of my network. I’ve locked down the container with strict firewall rules, limited user permissions, and careful network segmentation.

The reverse proxy handles SSL termination and filters traffic, while Tailscale tunnels secure connections between my VPS and home network. This layered security approach means even if his blog is compromised, the rest of my home lab stays safe.

Teaching the Next Generation

This project isn’t just about publishing posts. It’s a hands-on lesson in how the internet works — from writing Markdown files and using Git for version control, to understanding reverse proxies and network security. It’s a way to pass on the values I hold dear: privacy, security, and the joy of tinkering with technology.

Final Thoughts

Watching my son take his first steps into the digital world with a secure, manageable blog is incredibly rewarding. The contrast between my childhood “radio station” dreams and the real platform he now has is staggering. It’s a privilege to guide him through this journey, helping him learn and grow in a safe, privacy-respecting environment.

If you’re thinking of setting up a site for your child, consider the balance between usability and security. Sometimes, the simplest tools — like Publii and static sites — offer the best learning experience and peace of mind.