If I were to randomly post on another board?? (dd's ment'd)

Zed58

On this very special day of goats, dh and I are having a heated debate over something to do with the girls.  I'm interested to hear what others would have to say on the subject, but have never posted on a parenting board and I don't want to offend by asking here. Would I have to do the whole introduction thing if I went to another board?  Could I post and run?

I guess I just don't know the proper etiquette when it comes to board hopping.  I like to stay where I'm comfortable and with the ladies that I know and love, so I don't really stray from this happy little home of ours.

(sorry if this post, in itself, is upsetting.  as always, I'm not afraid to dd if it causes hard feelings) 

TrickyLittleMinx

I always wondered the same thing...

I posted on a nest board once and it was okay?

bbhalphen

You wouldn't offend me if you posted here, but I probably wouldn't have any advice seeing as I don't have kids yet.  I think it would be okay as long as you lurked a little bit, scrolled a few pages back and read to get a feel of the board, then post an introduction with your question in it, explaining that you're usually a poster over here but would like their opinions.

Sunflower730

I would assume with every board like this one there is a close knit group and it would be nice to introduce yourself and lurk so you don't get called out.

Zed58

bbhalphen:

You wouldn't offend me if you posted here, but I probably wouldn't have any advice seeing as I don't have kids yet.  I think it would be okay as long as you lurked a little bit, scrolled a few pages back and read to get a feel of the board, then post an introduction with your question in it, explaining that you're usually a poster over here but would like their opinions.

It really isn't something pertaining specifically to our girls.  It's an "in general" question.  Any parent or *soon-to-be* parent would likely have an opinion on it. 

Zed58

bbhalphen:

You wouldn't offend me if you posted here, but I probably wouldn't have any advice seeing as I don't have kids yet.  I think it would be okay as long as you lurked a little bit, scrolled a few pages back and read to get a feel of the board, then post an introduction with your question in it, explaining that you're usually a poster over here but would like their opinions.

It really isn't something pertaining specifically to our girls.  It's an "in general" question.  Any parent/**hopefully soon-to-be** parent/caregiver/adult would likely have an opinion on it. 

damabo80

Zed58:

bbhalphen:

You wouldn't offend me if you posted here, but I probably wouldn't have any advice seeing as I don't have kids yet.  I think it would be okay as long as you lurked a little bit, scrolled a few pages back and read to get a feel of the board, then post an introduction with your question in it, explaining that you're usually a poster over here but would like their opinions.

It really isn't something pertaining specifically to our girls.  It's an "in general" question.  Any parent/**hopefully soon-to-be** parent/caregiver/adult would likely have an opinion on it. 

If you want to ask on here, I wouldn't be offended...maybe keep it to this same thread though.

I'll totally offer parenting advice...just know that I'll probably be talking out of my arse, since I have zero experience, but whatevs

Zed58

okay, okay, okay...

We are debating the use of GPS devices on children.  

DH thinks that putting a GPS device in a child's pocket isn't appropriate.  He thinks it limits their freedom, takes away their privacy, and shows a lack of trust.  

I think that at a younger age, it makes perfect sense.  Our daughter turned five in May and will be starting K on the 7th of Sept.  She's kind of at that age now where she is starting to become more independent (ie walking to the neighbors house down the street and around the corner by herself, hitting up the neighborhood playground without mom and dad only a stones throw away).  She's also at that age, where she might not be completely clear on stranger vs friend.  She thinks that if someone knows her name, she must know who they are.  She also isn't strong enough to fight back should someone approach her using any kind of physical force.

I don't think that being able to track our younger children is a bad thing.  I understand dh's point of view when it comes to older children/teens (even though I still don't think it's necessarily a bad thing if used appropriately), but for younger kids, I think I'd find some comfort in being able to locate them if I needed to.

Dh thinks it's me being a paranoid parent.  I think it's me being a pro-active parent. 

(sidenote: Anyone and everyone can learn the name of our girls by looking dh up online.  They have been mentioned in newspaper articles and are mentioned in his bio (one of the non-perks of having a "public" career)). 

millejj1

I'm butting in a little, hope that's ok. I really don't think that putting a GPS on a child is any different than the millions of people that have cell phones with GPS in them. It's a great safety tool, particularly if they are younger children.

IMO it's only really showing a lack of trust if you go overboard and create charts and maps and lecture them on where they went. 

damabo80

Zed58:

okay, okay, okay...

We are debating the use of GPS devices on children.  

DH thinks that putting a GPS device in a child's pocket isn't appropriate.  He thinks it limits their freedom, takes away their privacy, and shows a lack of trust.  

I think that at a younger age, it makes perfect sense.  Our daughter turned five in May and will be starting K on the 7th of Sept.  She's kind of at that age now where she is starting to become more independent (ie walking to the neighbors house down the street and around the corner by herself, hitting up the neighborhood playground without mom and dad only a stones throw away).  She's also at that age, where she might not be completely clear on stranger vs friend.  She thinks that if someone knows her name, she must know who they are.  She also isn't strong enough to fight back should someone approach her using any kind of physical force.

I don't think that being able to track our younger children is a bad thing.  I understand dh's point of view when it comes to older children/teens (even though I still don't think it's necessarily a bad thing if used appropriately), but for younger kids, I think I'd find some comfort in being able to locate them if I needed to.

Dh thinks it's me being a paranoid parent.  I think it's me being a pro-active parent. 

(sidenote: Anyone and everyone can learn the name of our girls by looking dh up online.  They have been mentioned in newspaper articles and are mentioned in his bio (one of the non-perks of having a "public" career)). 

 

I think I may be DH on this one. But for these reasons: If someone is going to kidnap a kid, I imagine they probably won't keep them in the same clothes. When those Amber alerts go out, they usually mention what the kid was wearing at the time. So, if the GPS was in the pocket, I would say that you would have a high chance of finding the GPS, but NOT finding the kid, KWIM?

I'm sure you read the studies that the majority of kidnapers are people with whom the child is already familar with. So, if you don't have any crazy exes floating around, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Also, ask yourself if you would do this if it was 30-40 years ago and we had a GPS option back then. If the answer is "no, because it's a different time now", then I would say that you watched too much Fox News. So, in conclusion, I would say that your child probably has a higher chance of being struck by lightening than by being located after a kidnapping by sticking a GPS in their pocket.

However, I'm not against sticking a GPS tracker in the car when my 16 year is driving it. That way I can bust him/her when they sneak out, speed, etc (pretty much all the crap I did when I was their age).

BlakeG

I personally don't see annything worng with doing that with a 5 yr old.  For a teenager I think it's not appropriate but I don't see the harm in doing it with a 5 yr old.

Kristin&Adam

I don't see the harm. 

Almost a year ago, a 7 year old girl was abducted from a neighborhood near where we live.  She was walking home from school with her brother and sister and never made it home.  The fact that it can happen so close to home terrifies me.

There is a company that makes watches that look like simple watches, but they actually contain a GPS device that can be activated if a child goes missing.  I'd be 100% okay with my child wearing one.

scaneiki

I don't see the harm in it.  I would probably do the same with my son but I admit I'm a paranoid parent.  It's not like you'd be stalking their every move, but I think it would be nice to be able to locate them if they wandered to a friend's house.

BabyTrippin

Kristin&Adam:

I don't see the harm. 

Almost a year ago, a 7 year old girl was abducted from a neighborhood near where we live.  She was walking home from school with her brother and sister and never made it home.  The fact that it can happen so close to home terrifies me.

There is a company that makes watches that look like simple watches, but they actually contain a GPS device that can be activated if a child goes missing.  I'd be 100% okay with my child wearing one.

(not calling you out Kristin, just jumping off of your statement)

First off, I live in Mayberry so that colors my views a lot I'm sure.  But when I read the above bolded sentence my mind immediately thought "How many kids make it home every day just fine?"  Sure, I'd never in a million years want it to be my kid that got snatched, but really what are the odds?  

I have amber alerts sent to my phone.  It sends any of them that my state police send out.  I have yet to see one that a) wasn't an NCP or friend of an NCP  and b) didn't resolve in a very short amount of time.  Also, I work for Walmart.  I've worked in large towns and in Mayberry.  We have about 1 or 2 Code Adams a month.  Never once has it been anything more than a kid playing somewhere and the parent not finding them easily. 

So, yep I'm on the OP's DH's side in this one.  Let kids be kids.  If you (general you) don't feel safe letting your kids wander the block, sit outside and keep an eye on things.  Get to know the neighbors and let them get to know your kids.  Granny on the corner who sits knitting by the window is going to be a whole lot more use to you than a GPS that the kid will likely lose. 

BlakeG

I agree with PP that it may not do any good if the abductor finds it but at the same time I still don't see the harm.  Yes, it may do nothing...but it may do something so that possibilty would be worth it.  To be honest, I would never think to use one on my child, I'm just saying if it makes you feel more comfortable, I don't see the harm. 

 

jessicasuzann

Honestly, I feel like things like this feed into our paranoia, while paradoxically leading us into a false sense of security. So in short, no, I would not put a GPS on my child.

Izabella22

Personally, I wouldn't. I don't really think in the case of an abduction I could see it really helping since it would probably get chucked anyways but that's just me. Now microchipping teenagers, that's an idea!