Post by frozenpeas on May 16, 2017 11:35:45 GMT -5
Is anyone paying attention to what's happening above the line--above the line for me b/c I'm on mobile? I'm talking about the State of the Forum thread stickied at the top. It's super long and I don't know if anyone from here is posting there or keeping up with it. I clicked around and saw mention of admins being MIA and the possibility of the board going dark. Do I have to read the entire thread or can someone please tell me if this is for real?
*sorry in advance if I'm jumping to the wrong conclusion and/or spreading vicious rumors. Don't mean to raise the alarm unnecessarily.
I wouldn't worry. It's basically people upset that there hasn't been more movement on development of a website and what not to drive more posters. The admins got called out on it and posted the state of the forum, then bailed out when people had questions.
People have speculated that if the admins get pissed, the site will go dark. On the rare chance that happens, check in on TB, GBCN, or instagram thenwentfamily.
I'm sort of out of the loop also, but based on what I've read/heard I was contemplating how I would find a new working parent board. I'm not super active over here but I love lurking and keeping up with everyone and asking for advice when I need it.
Post by frozenpeas on May 16, 2017 12:23:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the recap k3am. Is this a real issue--do we need more posters? This has not been on my radar at all, yet I can see more people keep responding to the thread. Must be a pretty heated discussion.
Post by supertrooper1 on May 16, 2017 12:56:17 GMT -5
I guess readership is down 15%, so people are worried that the board is slowly dying. Some were trying to come up with ways to increase readership, either by articles scarymommy style, blogs, or social media. The website that has been in the works for 2 years look unappealing to most that commented and many think the admins need to make it a true business instead of a side hobby or just leave as is. Parenting is mostly concerned about the lack of new members and members jumping ship. But as people always comment, Parenting is cliquish and scare away new members, even if they constantly say they want more to comment on Parenting.
PAL May '17 Siggy Challenge: Picnics - Feminist Picnic
Two MM/C 1/09/12 & MM/C 4/26/12 BFP#3 - Rainbow #1 born 5/11/13 via unplanned C-section Two CP 11/23/15 & 5/13/16 BFP#6 - Rainbow #2 born 2/10/17 via planned C-section
I have argued in the past with people from parenting who came to this board and posted with the same type of "tenacity" (not sure the right word here to use)... The vibe on WP is very, very different from parenting. This is not at all meant to say parenting is bad or wrong, just different, and it needs to be respected.
I post on both boards, about different things, and value different things about each board and its participants.
Sigh. But it does seem like things are slowing down over here. Which makes me sad. I love you guys! You keep me semi-sane. As sane as I'm capable of being, that is.
I agree with 2chatter, It has a "popular crowd/mean girl"vibe. I don't like it. Sometimes they have good threads and interesting topics and I will lurk, but I don't post. I don't like internet debates either and they seem to do a lot of those.
I go to the forums for support and advice not to argue.
Although I have noticed that they don't seem as picky about new posters asking for advice these days.
Post by oldbaylover1024 on May 16, 2017 14:04:00 GMT -5
I actually like Parenting, k3am. Sometimes I'm up for some snark and friendly but combative back-and-forth. But every time I try and jump in I feel... IDK... sheepish I guess. Like there are too many inside jokes I'm not privy to, you know? Maybe I need to just strap on the 'big girl panties' and do it.
I like that each board (WP, Parenting, BMB, PAL, etc.) has its own vibe. And I can appreciate the vibe on Parenting. But I think we can agree it's not the most welcoming sometimes.
PAL May '17 Siggy Challenge: Picnics - Feminist Picnic
Two MM/C 1/09/12 & MM/C 4/26/12 BFP#3 - Rainbow #1 born 5/11/13 via unplanned C-section Two CP 11/23/15 & 5/13/16 BFP#6 - Rainbow #2 born 2/10/17 via planned C-section
Nothing is worse than an exodous. I made the move from TB and within a few months, my BMB had some tiff and everyone migrated to FB. Not a move I wanted to make.
I have been lurking some of the newest BMB's (D17, J18) and they do seem to be really small. Obviously both can and hopefully will have new members.
Since we are currently TTC I have been wondering if I will end up somewhere else for my BMB. I love the vibe here and hope we can at least maintain!
Post by traveltheworld on May 16, 2017 14:12:36 GMT -5
Oh no, I hope nothing happens to this board. I really love it here. It's the only on-line forum thing I participate in. You ladies always seem so level-headed and thoughtful.
This site (not WP in particular, but the whole place) has always seemed kind of slow to me, not just lately. I lurk Parenting quite a bit, mainly as a time-waster when I'm in a lull at my desk. I don't post much, mainly because most of the topics don't interest me. (Yes, I should initiate new topics)
Hopefully the powers at be will delegate some of the work that needs to be done. Some marketing outreach for one. No one seems to know this place exists. I've given the link to the boards out to a few women but I am just one person.
I took a look at their website and just kind of sighed. It looks like one of those sites where you end up when you type in a URL wrong, esp. with all the stock photography. Why would anyone want to visit that?
Post by supertrooper1 on May 16, 2017 14:16:28 GMT -5
It happens with all of the lurker "call out" posts on Parenting and with the sticky admin post above; the parenting regs beg lurkers to post, but then flame the lurkers or new posters when they say something that is against their unwritten etiquette or that the regs don't agree with. If you're a parenting reg reading this, please don't take this the wrong way. I just don't feel like I fit in on parenting and like the vibe of the WP board.
Definitely not a place to have a "general discussion" board as suggested in the admin post above to attract new posters. TB attracted me by the PgAL and BMB boards and then I found my way to the WM board. I think BMB is a great way to attract new posters. Or since there has been always a lean towards infertility help and PgAL, that could be the focus if a new website ever gets up and running.
Post by erinshelley21 on May 16, 2017 14:33:25 GMT -5
I'll be upset if we lose this place. You guys "get it" when it comes to what I deal with as a working mom. My friends are just now having kids. One stays home and one works weekends so we don't see each other. Being one of the young ones around here, I learn so much from all of you!
Post by somebabiesmom on May 16, 2017 14:39:34 GMT -5
I don't even remember how I got to TB...maybe while BFing with DS and googling the shit out of everything?? But I started on TB under one name, got flamed horribly bad, and started a new one (this one). TBH, I've always like that TCF didn't get a lot of outsiders, b/c I like the illusion of additional privacy. But it seems like things have definitely slowed down. I expect you have to attract new users to a site like this, b/c over time everyone gains expertise and comfort with the topics and finds people IRL to bounce stuff off of.
If this board shut down, I would consider taking it to a FB group, but only for WPs. I probably would not migrate to another forum.
I think they are right about the lack of posters, but hopefully we can trudge along. I lurk on parenting, and used to post infrequently, but am not looking to net battle. There was something going on where someone had an issue with another poster, I think it was on a BMB and and they posted on parenting, and were trying to find info on them irl. That freaked me out, so I have pretty much steered clear since.
somebabiesmom this is my 14th year - I never got to the point that I'm comfortable with stuff I guess? When does that happen? I'm ready.
rere26 - that freaks me out. The former board that had people criss crossing the country on planes stalking people, messing with spouses and careers was way scary and I am avoiding that.
Post by mustardseed2007 on May 16, 2017 16:14:35 GMT -5
I am pretty sure if this did shut down I wouldn't find another one. I got into posting when I was first pregnant and then I found a lot of support after my miscarriage, but when I found the working parents board on the bump it was just right.
It does get slow on here and then, like the rest of you, I lurk but don't normally post on parenting. I did get cross wise once but with them but it didn't blow up too bad. It's more that, just like it was on the bump, parenting moves fast and they have strong opinions. They are also really funny though and I wouldn't change them.
I don't think I would switch again if things went silent. I actually like that WP isn't super fast pace as then it doesn't take me forever to read a thread or try and reply and keep track. Parenting moves to fast and is just a little too scary for me but I do lurk when I'm super board and may post if it is a thread started by a WP and I have something to add just because I know I won't get flamed by you guys. I don't need added stress by internet flames I have enough IRL stress.
beachbum, it was really nice to have a small BMB. I remember being really overwhelmed with DD's on TB, but the one here was a lot easier to keep up with.
I didn't go to the FB group when my old BMB migrated and I'd be nervous about it now too. Paranoid, party of 1. I hope our WP board stays like this for awhile! There's certainly posters I miss and we don't seem to add many new ones, so I can understand the fear that the boards will die out.
I'm exactly where oldbaylover1024 is on Parenting: love to lurk, not comfortable trying to play. I'll comment on threads over there if one of you starts it. Or someone from my way back BMB.
Finally, speaking of BMBs, maybe you and I will get a board together beachbum. Still a few more days to find out if we make J18!
shakinros, Yay, good luck for J18! We are onto F18 but we really weren't quite trying yet last cycle. Would love to end up in the same BMB (wherever that may be).
Though I'm a fairly new poster, I am a very long time lurker and particularly came over here for this board. You ladies are great for advice, humor, and inspiration.
shakinros, Yay, good luck for J18! We are onto F18 but we really weren't quite trying yet last cycle. Would love to end up in the same BMB (wherever that may be).
Thanks. One more week till I can test. If it's not gonna be J18 though, I'll keep fingers crossed for both of us for F18!
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