Why do you make friends with people on TB?

wordtoyourmother

I ask because when I see some of you form a 'group' or start the mass FB requests - some drama usually is to follow.  Whether it's on the board for everyone to see or privately with the admins, it happens way more than often.

Tell me some of the good stories.......

or tell why it's always a bad a idea lol

I've actually met up with someone off here *once*.  She was awesome.  I actually talked to her for about a year and half before we met up.  I made sure to screen for 'crazy b1tch' tendencies before hand.   We ended up losing touch though.  

 

BlairWaldorf

I met most of my best friends on The Nest.  I know that sounds lame.

I started posting there in 2006 as a newlywed on my local board.  There were probably 30 girls that posted? We all became very close & had get-togethers off the board.

There has been drama, of course.  Simply because out of 30ish girls, not everyone is going to get along.  & some folks hit it off better than others, which can form "cliques" even though it's not intentional.

But yes   I met my best pals on The Nest. (jennandtonica, speedglenn, lalabee, poeia, kals, liz_e34, erin, heather, etc)

#1_BadgeBunny

wondered this too!

I must not be on here enough orrrrr im just not that likeable?? I could use a few friends hahaha

Mrs.Hizzo

My good internet girlfriends are actually from back in my Knot days. It was a smallish group to begin with, and after a couple years of daily contact on the bump/nest, we all just started emailing each other, instead. Now everyone gets together with whoever they can, whenever they can. We're all in different states. One girl actually got remarried last spring, and four of us flew in for her wedding. It was really fun, and I'm as close with these people as I am with my IRL friends.

emmared1986

I am 'friends' with 3 bumpies on FB. One was because that certain bumpie needed support and wasn't getting it on the boards. One is because she is just awesome and we are kinda internet BFFers. And one is my cloth diapering twin (but slightly more obsessed lol).

I think it is nice to see a few pics and 'chat' every now and then. I don't get the cliques that start on here. How do you know that the super duper cool girl isn't some hairy old dude in a basement?

I only know of one girl who lives in my town on this board. I kind of reached out to meet up and she didn't respond. I can't ask again and look like a creeper. But it would be cool to meet someone. Ohz well.

MSUMamaof2

Good story?  I have 3 ladies whom I met on the high-risk board while we were all on bed rest.  We supported one another and used each other as our sounding board while we were experiencing every emotion under the sun.  None of us have met in person because we all live so far away (I'm in Indiana, one is on the east coast, one is in Arizona, one is in Wisconsin), but I hope to one day.  We're all on Facebook together and still talk.  All of our babies are doing well now.   

I've met two Bumpies in person--Shortyred and Ablou (and their spouses).  Both were fantastic people and I felt like I'd known them for years.  

robynlesley

Considering I met my DH online (JDate), I don't see anything wrong with making friends with people I meet on boards. I met one of my dearest friends via an author's messageboard, which we both moderated.

I think meeting friends via messageboards is like a virtual mom's group or book club. It's just another vehicle to meet others. But for a close friendship to develop, I think you need to see each other in person, talk on the phone and enjoy spending time together. It's hard to maintain a long-distance relationship?whether platonic or romantic. It can be done, but it's not easy.

jessicaclare

I have 30 girlfriends that I met on my local knot board when we were all planning weddings (2004/2005ish). We get together often. Sure, there are little arguments and whatnot, because its a group of 30 people, but they are amazing women who have supported me through a lot. I don't know what I'd do without them.

wordtoyourmother

Although they have their crazies too, I hear more good stories from people who started on the Knot. 

Blair, I think you're one of the few who's experienced the best and worst of the characters you can meet on these sites lol. 

I'll be honest though, the bad stories scare me away.  So when someone mentions a GTG or exchanging FB's - I can't help but think I'm inviting crazy into my life. 

edit : MSU - that's awesome.  Too bad you all lived so far away from each other :-/

 

BlairWaldorf

wordtoyourmother:

Blair, I think you're one of the few who's experienced the best and worst of the characters you can meet on these sites lol. 

 

For sure.

The funny thing is, the people that hate me the most are the ones that have never even met me & don't live close enough to even get the chance.

Jocelyn0415

I have people I'm really close to on The Nest. We talk every day, we're FB friends, etc.

There's never been any drama. I've never seen more drama than on TB. I'm only FB friends with a few bumpies. 

Mrs.Keith2B

I'm super close with the ladies on my anniversary board from the Knot. We started planning our weddings back in 2007 and our board is still very active today. We have a daily email thread for healthy living/fitness and that group of ladies has grown really close. A lot of the East Coast/New England girls have met IRL, but we're still working on a Midwest GTG. We're even throwing around the idea of doing a board-wide GTG next year sometime.

Chrysallys

I have met some of my best friends through the bump, one who was at the birth of my son, all because we were struggling with IF issues and needed a place to vent. Three of those girls lived here in Canada, one in the same town I live in, and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to move to a new place (a new freaking country) and have new friends and support here. I mean, MrsC.even sent me flowers when we first got here. (Love you girl!)

I wouldn't have made it without them and will forever be grateful.

The BSC ones, meh just ignore them.

ETA: MrsC and I were also on the April2007 board on the Knot together so we go "way back" LOL.

tabi_ja

I had actually been talking to one lady (from the SAHM board) for almost a year before I realized she lived near me.  Through the coaxing of the other ladies there, we met up for a playdate - and we've been getting together about once a week since.  It's really nice to have a place to vet potential mommy friends - I already knew that she and I would get along before we met in real life.

Tomkat8403

I started out on the bump in first tri with L. It took me until a few months ago to vet people and make friendships strong enough for me to venture out and become friends off TB. Now I feel like they are some of my best friends.

Blue1299

I'm more of a lurker, so while I feel like I "know" certain people, they don't recognize my SN. So I started to post more often & found a few people that I have things in common with. I haven't met anyone IRL, but I'm not opposed to it. I'm only FB friends with 2 bumpies.

kreeper611

I met my closest group of friends on the local Nest board.  Now we have kids close in age, go on vacations togethern, Trick or Treat together, talk every day, etc.  Without them...I'd probably be lost with this mothering thing!  They are the best group of girlfriends I could ask for.

sasky

I have met and retained friendships with people from the online world before, from other message boards, blogging, etc.  But I've never felt a strong enough connection to any bumpie to consider them online friends, nevermind IRL.  I chalk it up to my own ambivalence to this place, laziness, and my inability to keep track of the sheer number of you ladies.  Cuz I'd have nothing against forming a bond with people here.  I just tend to keep to myself and then pipe in every once in a while.

ivs112

I'm friends with a group of ladies from The Bump (many of whom don't post here anymore) that I adore. I truly consider them great friends. I have several other Bumpie friends on FB and I think it's great. We comment on each other's pictures, etc, and it's nice to get to know them outside of this forum.

I was part of one of those mass FB friendings a while back but I slowly deleted the people that I never had any realtionship with. What's the point of being friends with people you never talk to?

howa0155

I've met 3 bumpies IRL (you know who you are and I miss you terribly) and am friends with a small group of them.  When I say friends, I mean we call each other to chat, send each other Christmas cards and help each other out. 

I love my ladies and am so happy to have them in my life.

smellycat15

I've met quite a few ladies from my local board. They are great. Luckily 2 girls from college are also on there so its nice to know people that are posting.

As for these boards, Schween actually brought together my group of friends. I don't know how she did it but after she was outed as a BSC poster, we ditched her and stayed together. Honestly, these girls have been the best friends I've ever had. We talk daily and are always there for one another. I love them all. We still haven't all met yet but hopefully soon. Things keep coming up and plans change. But I would trade my "real" friends for my internet friends in a heartbeat.  I have other girls from here and other boards on FB but we aren't as close.

jonnygurl76

i love the girls that i met on TB....we are in contact everyday and i have met 2 of them IRL and felt like i always knew them.  and the only reason i haven't met the others is because we live in different states. 

it doesn't matter where you meet.....friendships are friendships.  these girls are more supportive and know more about what is going on with P than my so called BFF.

AfterAll

I began posting on TheNest under a different screen name around 2006ish.  I was a regular on D&R.  I changed my name in 2008 and began posting on TB around when I got pregnant with Jackson.  I actually never had any identifying information or pictures of myself or family until I got pregnant with Jackson, then I loosened up a bit.

I have never been a part of the mass FB friendings.  I only have a few "friends" from TB on FB.  I guard my privacy very closely.  I am a teacher and DH is a cop, we are both in jobs where we try to maintain a bit of privacy.  It is no secret that I have had a few AEs come after me... the last thing I want is to let potentially dangerous people into my life any further than I choose to.

 

Lopo

I have only about 5 friends from the bump that I  talk with on FB.  And only one friend who I have exchanged addresses and phone #s with.  We've sent cards, and talk every month or so.  She also sent us an amazing edible arrangement when Luke was born.  She's a great gal, hope to meet up one day for sure!

catycombs

There are a group of Bumpies that I consider wonderful friends. We talk to each other almost everyday via email, text or Skype. I have also met two of them IRL and like JG said, I felt like I had known them all of my life. We are all different, and some of us polar opposites. But, we all share a common bond that brings us closer to one another each day. I love my Bumpie friends!

janice74

I have "Knottie" friends who I still hang out with. We would have massive GTGs and get to know each other IRL and everyone ended up breaking off into 3 groups of people who just naturally got along together. We also started out own board, which is long defunct.  

I think the being local and meeting IRL is often key.  I don't really have time to form relationships now with people through a message board.  I think it's totally normal, though.  Sometimes you just have the same sense of humor and interests and you just "click". 

mistywhite400

I've met  2 girls on here & they are really nice.  We've only had 1 gtg but it's the holidays so everyone is busy right now.  I'm friends on FB with a few more girls, but they live far away so that's the reason why we haven't met IRL. 

It's nice to have some friends either on her or IRL that are in the same place as me b/c all of my other friends are not so we have drifted apart! 

Helms

i too have a few girls from tb who i am very close with.  i can relate to those girls way better most of the time than my IRL friends who don't have kids and aren't married.  they're great for support and advice.  we've done a 1st birthday gift exchange, christmas card exchange, and cookie exchange so far this year-and no one has even been poisoned (yet)! yay!

mrs.n22

Most of my friends do not have kids or live far away, so I would love to meet a few nice girls on here.  I find that most live far away  though.  : (

PoetSorrow

emmared1986:

I am 'friends' with 3 bumpies on FB. One was because that certain bumpie needed support and wasn't getting it on the boards. One is because she is just awesome and we are kinda internet BFFers. And one is my cloth diapering twin (but slightly more obsessed lol).

I have 3 FB friends from here.All three are people who just stood out to me as awesome ladies. I guess you just get used to some people and you can see really great personalities shine through the boards. Theres maybe two others I'd love to add as "real world" friends but I always feel weird asking. 

Tomkat8403

PoetSorrow:

emmared1986:

I am 'friends' with 3 bumpies on FB. One was because that certain bumpie needed support and wasn't getting it on the boards. One is because she is just awesome and we are kinda internet BFFers. And one is my cloth diapering twin (but slightly more obsessed lol).

I have 3 FB friends from here.All three are people who just stood out to me as awesome ladies. I guess you just get used to some people and you can see really great personalities shine through the boards. Theres maybe two others I'd love to add as "real world" friends but I always feel weird asking. 

Awww. Poet, I'm flattered! Just come one out and ask!

Tomkat8403

Stupid bump double post...

achase123

I've never really given it a lot of thought...I guess I just think you can never have too many friends.

TSD

I've made friends with a lot of people on my local nest, many of which I started out with in 2005 with on the knot during wedding planning. I've never had any offline drama with anyone from the knot or nest. I made friends with women from one of the national boards on the knot (NEY, then AFB, then merged in Snarky Brides then we moved to the nest when the knot changed formats) and have met some of them. We're all FB friends and there's been no drama.

The Bump is another animal altogether. I've been on this board for a like 2 months or something & I like it fine, but there's no one I feel particularly close with or want privy to all my biz on FB. I guess because this really is a "move along board". Any of the national boards I've been a part of weren't really what the "title" of the board implied. We all have different stories/circumstances, some are married, divorced, dating/married to new people already, kids, no kids, etc. But, we've all been together more or less since 2005/2006/2007.

Mrs.C042807

Chrysallys:

I have met some of my best friends through the bump, one who was at the birth of my son, all because we were struggling with IF issues and needed a place to vent. Three of those girls lived here in Canada, one in the same town I live in, and I can't tell you how wonderful it was to move to a new place (a new freaking country) and have new friends and support here. I mean, MrsC.even sent me flowers when we first got here. (Love you girl!)

I wouldn't have made it without them and will forever be grateful.

The BSC ones, meh just ignore them.

ETA: MrsC and I were also on the April2007 board on the Knot together so we go "way back" LOL.

::smooch::

Chrys and two others are the girls I have met off TB.  As Chrys said, she and I go 'way back'.  Even sharing a love of men who don't like beer or hockey. LOL.

 

PoetSorrow

Tomkat8403:

PoetSorrow:

emmared1986:

I am 'friends' with 3 bumpies on FB. One was because that certain bumpie needed support and wasn't getting it on the boards. One is because she is just awesome and we are kinda internet BFFers. And one is my cloth diapering twin (but slightly more obsessed lol).

I have 3 FB friends from here.All three are people who just stood out to me as awesome ladies. I guess you just get used to some people and you can see really great personalities shine through the boards. Theres maybe two others I'd love to add as "real world" friends but I always feel weird asking. 

Awww. Poet, I'm flattered! Just come one out and ask!

lol if you weren't one of the two I'd say that was a very cocky statement lol. PM me haha. 

Tomkat8403

PoetSorrow:

Tomkat8403:

PoetSorrow:

emmared1986:

I am 'friends' with 3 bumpies on FB. One was because that certain bumpie needed support and wasn't getting it on the boards. One is because she is just awesome and we are kinda internet BFFers. And one is my cloth diapering twin (but slightly more obsessed lol).

I have 3 FB friends from here.All three are people who just stood out to me as awesome ladies. I guess you just get used to some people and you can see really great personalities shine through the boards. Theres maybe two others I'd love to add as "real world" friends but I always feel weird asking. 

Awww. Poet, I'm flattered! Just come one out and ask!

lol if you weren't one of the two I'd say that was a very cocky statement lol. PM me haha. 

I know. I was just playing with you lovahhhhh.

mfransdell

There are a lot of crazy biitches on here but there are also some truly wonderful people.  There are a few I'm close to. I've met one and I dont think of her as a bump-friend, just a friend. Though we live hours and hours away we get together when we can and talk/fb/txt/email every day.  She's one of my very, very favorite people and if I (or anyone on here) encounters a hundred a-holes but comes out with an awesome life long friend it's absolutely worth it.   /Mush over

heatherlane

When I was on here in 1st Tri, only one of my IRL friends had children and I really enjoyed meeting people who made me feel normal, like what I was going through was completely normal.

I had no bumpie FB friends (except achase, my labor buddy) until LO was around 6 months old, and a group of us formed an offshoot board. Looking back, I have no idea how the random selection of ladies coming together happened, but it doesn't matter now b/c we are truly IRL friends (even if I've only met one of them IRL). Eventually, we'll all get around to meeting each other, as we're stuck with each other now. I can talk with them about things I can't even talk with DH about sometimes. And my mantle is so, so full of beautiful toddlers this Christmas. I love it!

FerreraRocher

I've met some incredible ladies on here but I am very private and choosy. I think that it's very important to be careful before allowing a person online to be your friend in real life.

ttmccoot

mfransdell:

There are a lot of crazy biitches on here but there are also some truly wonderful people.  There are a few I'm close to. I've met one and I dont think of her as a bump-friend, just a friend. Though we live hours and hours away we get together when we can and talk/fb/txt/email every day.  She's one of my very, very favorite people and if I (or anyone on here) encounters a hundred a-holes but comes out with an awesome life long friend it's absolutely worth it.   /Mush over

i could have written this myself.

i heart franny.