Poll: Asking parenting questions on facebook

JessesGirl&MackenziesMom · August 2011

I am continually baffled by friends who ask parenting questions on facebook. For me, it is completely different than asking on here. Some questions I have seen recently are in regards to sleep training, nursing (?), and tantrums.

Part of it is that there is no anonymity, so I can't throw in pretty details like "AND DH wouldn't even help!" or "the nursing strike never ended so I'm still pumping at night" or "the poop was green".

Part of it is that I don't really want certain people knowing certain things. Does my uncle need to know that I have a low suppy? Do former co-workers need to know that I'm navigating the logistics of how to take a shower?

And part of it is that most of the well-meaning people who would respond don't have any experience with kids! I would much rather ask a group of women who are moms (on here).

[Poll]

Stacyc625 · August 2011

funny- because it is quite timely. i was just about to go on and ask a question on FB.

i never post stuff like that as a status update or whatnot- but i do have a lot of fb friends who are parents that i trust and they always have great suggestions etc.

i usually reach out and post a private message

Dochas · August 2011

I haven't, but I would. Sometimes you just want whatever answer you can get the fastest. I have a lot of friends from a breastfeeding group that I'm also FB friends with. So I can see throwing something out there. But we tend to do mass texting when we need something!

HarrietNJMommy · August 2011

I don't have an issue with it at all. If I'm asking a parenting question, it's usually for some sort of recommendation in the area (classes, doctors, etc.)

chicsub · August 2011

I do ask product or class suggestions and get good responses on FB.

JessesGirl&MackenziesMom · August 2011

HarrietNJMommy:
I don't have an issue with it at all. If I'm asking a parenting question, it's usually for some sort of recommendation in the area (classes, doctors, etc.)

Hmmm.. I don't think that kind of question is strange. If someone asked for a class or doctor recommendation, I wouldn't think twice.

But if someone's FB status is "Noooo why is my period back?? I haven't missed it this past year and a half" or "my daughter is driving me soo crazy, how do you deal with tantrums?" and they have 500 friends, I think "really? this is the forum you want to use to express that?".

Sara Scissors · August 2011

I've done it several times in the past. Not related to nursing or anything like that. But I have asked for help with sleep training (many times, my DS didn't STTN until 18 months) using Ferber. And I've asked for recommendations on classes for toddlers in our area, etc. I have many friends with kids around mine's age or older. I find their experiences and advice very valuable. And I actually know them in real life! I always preface it with "MOM'S, a question for you...". If you aren't one, you wouldn't bother reading it.

But in general I don't take Facebook as seriously as many do. Like my status update yesterday was about how my son pushed open the bathroom door on my DH over the weekend and started screaming "POOP Daddy, POOP!". It's all in fun, at least that's how I approach it.

hellopoppyseed · August 2011

No. I'm with you on this for the same reasons. I will ask a specific friend, privately if I need to. There's just a lot of people on my fb that I wouldn't care to hear from either. I have asked for washer and dryer recommendations though.

hellopoppyseed · August 2011

Also I have a hard time reading these Facebook posts because I read something and I'm thinking, obviously the child is getting way overtired (or whatever). Then other people come along and write the most random and unlikely responses and it annoys me for the mother's sake. I think you get a lot better and more accurate answers from people who are going through it or have just done it, not from somebody's great aunt who never had kids but heard of your situation one time. I've noticed how people really forget how their babies were at that same age. My mother's generation at least seems to give age inappropriate advice because it's just been a long time.

MrsBalletStar05 · August 2011

Nope, I don't ask parenting questions on FB! I would say most of my "friends" aren't parents, so it wouldn't be helpful - besides, the examples you gave are definite TMI, which I am not into posting. I'm not going to post questions asking where my post-pregnancy period is or why my kid's poop is clay-like.

HarrietNJMommy · August 2011

People post all sorts of inappropriate crap on FB. The parenting stuff isn't that bad - even "when do I get my period back".......I just don't see it as any different than being an AW when your kid does something or all the photos people post.......

jgoo · August 2011

I think it kind of depends on what kind of facebook you have.

I am only friends with family & close friends. So if I have a Mama question, I do a quick shout out to my fellow Mommy's to get opinions.

If you have 400 friends & are asking things too personal, that can be strange.

DNK777 · August 2011

I don't unless it's a question about something locally like a question about a local zoo or children activity recommendations. I have commented on other people's statuses about breastfeeding and stuff. I don't really care what people know about my breastfeeding.

I keep my DH vents on here and off FB. It drives me crazy when people complain about their SO on FB.

PBugMom · August 2011

chicsub:
I do ask product or class suggestions and get good responses on FB.

Something like this is fine, or update it if DS does something funny/cute. But nothing about breastfeeding, diapers, periods, etc... my uncle, old boss, husband's friends, friends' husbands, etc, just don't need to see that sort of thing.

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