Wow. Just wow.

Guennie

So I occasionally post on a couple other boards and I have to say I am really at a loss sometimes. I don't understand the way people treat each other or the way they communicate in general. I was taught to be respectful and I carry that behavior with me in every and any situation in life, be it face to face or written communication. Where did this basic human lesson get lost? Has our society become so far removed from reality that nobody cares anymore that they are talking to an actual person on the other end? I just think it's so sad and I'm really glad I haven't seen any of this craziness on our board. Thanks for always being supportive guys. I'm glad we can all express ourselves here without all the weirdness.

Geeps2

That is why I stick to here only.  It may be slow but no one is nasty.  I was so sick of people being horrible to one another and then passing off their horrible behavior with "if you don't like it leave. or it is far worse on ________ board so suck it up buttercup"  Yes, we are strangers on the internet but that is no excuse for being a #$%@#% for no good reason.  I choose to conduct myself as I do IRL.............with respect.  If someone is acting like a douche bag I choose to not engage and ignore so as not to give the DB what they are so desperately looking for, attention.  Sorry you had a bad experience.

On a happier note...can you believe our kiddos are almost 1!!!!  Where the hell did this year go?

Guennie

I didn't personally have a bad experience, I just saw a bunch of nasty crazy stuff this morning and it made me sad, especially since it was a board where I never would have expected to see it. I'm like you, I just stay out of it. And no, I can't believe I am a month and a half away from her first birthday!!! What are your bday plans?

shelley1002

I usually avoid joining in on drama.  But when I do join in I never say anything I wouldn't say to the person's face.

Geeps2

We aren't big 1st birthday party people, especially for a birthday that he won't even remember.  I am doing the same thing I did for my daughter.  Just having immediate family over for dinner and cake, take some pictures and spend time with family. What are you guys doing?  She was born on Thanksgiving if I remember correctly right?

Guennie

I'm having a hard time figuring out what to do. Since she was born on Thanksgiving her bday will always be the week of. We have no family here and so far I really only interact with our neighbors. I would like to have a cake and take some pictures and just invite a few neighbors we are friendly with, but I know some are going out of town so I'm not sure when to do it.

GASuzuki

I threw a relatively big party for my daughter's 1st birthday. It was OK. I don't really remember too much other than the crazy money spent on favors and cupcakes with stupid butterflies. LOL! (Yes, that was the theme... Butterflies.) I likely would have been just as happy with a small but meaningful gathering. 

shelley1002

We don't go all out for birthdays.  We invite family and close friends, have appetizers for food, then cake and ice cream.  Just a few decorations.  Its the people and celebrating that mean something, not the food and decorations.  Speaking of which, I need to figure out what we are having for food and clean the house for DS2's 1st birthday party tomorrow afternoon.

Geeps2

Happy Birthday to your little one Shelly!!!

shelley1002

Thanks Geeps!  DS2's first year went so much faster than DS1's did.

stever

There are some boards that live for snark. Stick around these parts, lurk first to get the lay of the land before posting on another board and never, ever take stuff said on the internet personally.

stever

And I'm a huge fan of small parties. DS1 only had his first real party for his last birthday, when he turned 5.

MesmrEwe

shelley1002 said:

I usually avoid joining in on drama.  But when I do join in I never say anything I wouldn't say to the person's face.

Thankfully the "Bump Gods" cracked down on some of the snarkiness that was happening on some boards. It was a typical "house cleaning" that has happened in the past as well (every once in a while they'd come in and clean things up - toss out the bad apples, and move on)... I have to say the board is now in the process of getting a new "identity" but it's been nice to have civil discussions again instead of snark-fests or heaven forbid you were empathetic to an OP!

As for 1st b-days - I'll admit, I'm not a birthday party for every single birthday parent... We mark the day as a family - potentially GTG with the in-laws, but usually just something immediate just us with the kids to make it special. Where DD has the tendency to be all materialistic, it's a way to curb some of that in teaching just getting together is more important... Do what works best for you and your family - and you could just ask the neighbors you'd invite over for cake "does this day/time work for you or would this one be better??" - you never know, they may be staying home and watching football all day!

Ilumine

We had one couple over, with their twin boys.  That was enough.  They got "smash" cupcakes and a tile floor to sit on.  

hopanka

OP: I venture out to other boards every once in a while as well and I agree with you. To put some perspective on it, most of the usual suspects are under 25. Not an excuse, but it explains a lot...

redtoes13

I just came over to say hi and saw this thread. How refreshing to hear others say what I've been thinking: some people treat others so poorly.