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July 2011 Moms
Mason&Mama
member
What does this board mean to you?
Mason&Mama
member
Please share what this board means to you. What makes it a place you come back to?
Frequent posters/lurkers - why do you come here during your free time?
For those of you original posters that have recently returned, what makes you come back? (This is not meant to be mean in any way whatsoever ... I truly am wondering.) What is the appeal of this board for you now that you think it has changed so much?
Do people come here for fun, support, advice, entertainment? A mix of it all?
(I am writing this as a nice post for everyone old and new to answer, not to start any drama whatsoever.)
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Re: What does this board mean to you?
Being a mother has taken me out of the loop of my old social life.
I am still friends with my old friends. I think that it is important to not completely drop your social life. I have a girls' night about once a month, and I try to see some of my other friends at least monthly. However, there is no last minute meeting up for a drink or a movie. And to be honest, because I work nights, I often prefer to stay home with Mason on my nights off. I want to be the one to put him to bed at least 3 nights a week.
That brings me to the July mamas. You guys are my friends that are always here when I have time to socialize. I don't have to make plans. I don't have to get a babysitter. When I have down time, there is always someone to "hang out" with.
I realize that I sound lame, but I am telling it like it is.
I can also discuss anything with you. Obviously, part of this is because I do have the protection of only knowing you all through the screen. But that is the magic of it. I don't have to hold back anything at all. I can tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I love that we all have babies that are the same age. Even though I have friends with babies, a few month age difference puts us in completely different situations.
I love that I can be silly here, spicy here, and serious here.
I love that there are so many different views here. I think that it is great that people have different opinions on CIO, vaccines, etc. I like hear what others think and why they feel that way. I don't have to agree with everyone, but I find it interesting to hear what led people to their opinions.
I love the mix of original posters, lurkers, newbies ... whatever label you want to put on someone.
I don't need all puppies and rainbows. I love a good debate. I like seeing that people feel comfortable sharing stories of PPD, single parenting (myself), stressful moments, frustrated moments, tough relationships, etc. That is part of what brings us closer together.
Anyway, this is getting ridiculously long. I just wanted to share a little bit of what the board means to me.
Great question, M&M, but I think you said it all!
I joined TB when I was pregnant because I had never been through it before and found it incredibly helpful to read posts about other people going through the same things as I was at the same time. I come back to the July 2011 board for the same reason. Being a FTM is hard, much more so than I ever would have thought, but I find it so reassuring that so many people and LO's are going through the same things as we are. Posting a question and getting different perspectives is great or, even just reading someone else's questions or concerns.
Personally, my living situation has very much isolated me from my friends and family. I can only call people at certain times because of the 5 hour time difference, and I don't really know anyone IRL who has a young baby right now, so you ladies are awesome for being there when I want to talk.
I also love seeing pics of your LO's (it kills me that I can't share mine!) and hearing stories about things that they do because we can relate.
Lately this board has gotten so friendly that it is not solely about babies anymore, it's just like a bunch of friends hanging out. I know I can count on this board for a good laugh at least a few times a day. I actually couldn't post all last weekend because I was away, but I checked it on my phone regularly and you girls had me hysterical at some of your posts. Friday fives pet peeves was hilarious! I think I had them all, does that make me crazy?
OK, I'll stop now because this is getting long, but just wanted to close by saying I recently made a friend IRL who lives near me and she is a July 2011 momma too (and American!) so I told her about TB and she thinks that it is awesome. I don't think she'd join, but she loves your stories that I tell her.
I've been a fan of online chat forums since my family got AOL in 1994. I joined the knot when I got engaged, the nest when it was created, and the bump when I was pregnant. I enjoy this board because our LOs are close in age and therefore it's a good place to get advice. I've been here since my BFP in October of 2010, but I'm more active at certain times. I've always lurked, though.
I usually check the boards when I'm up with DS at night. He's been up for almost 2 hours now, and I'm running out of reading material.
This group helps me realize that there is no "right" and no "normal" just a lot of mommies and lots of babies, all unique and all fun and all trying and doing their best.
Since I also live in Europe, it is really nice to read all of this in English too.
I am a newbie who lurked for a few weeks then finally introduced myself and started to join in. What brought me to the board was actually encouragement from my DH who discovered this board for me. I was frustrated one day after a horrible night with DS, and just like he does with a lot of things, he googled sleeping issues and it actually led him to our board. It was so relieving to know that there were other mommies out there with LOs the same age as mine that were having the same issues. I love reading about all of our LOs and seeing the pictures of them grow and change.
Just like M&M, having a baby took me out of the loop with my friends. They all have kids and know what it's like, but it's almost next to impossible to coordinate a get together. And then there is the being a SAHM. It's hard to find other SAHMs down here so for me to get some adult social interaction, this is it. I enjoying reading y'all's posts to get to know you a bit and enjoy talking about more than just our LOs. I've been trying to be more involved with the board by doing our fun exchanges and getting on to post as much as I can.
A lot of you have known each other since the very beginning of our journey with our LOs, but not once have you made me feel like a newbie. You've welcomed me with open arms and I am thankful for that. I feel like I have a place to turn to if I need advice or just someone to vent to or someone to share a cute pic or story of DS.
So thank you ladies for being so friendly and welcoming. It helps this mama out!!
Good question!
I come because it is a way to socialize. Lets face it, being a stay at home mom can be isolating. It's nice to know you're not alone in facing challenges and to know that your kid isn't the only one who is or isn';t doing something.
I also come to read about Garlic Semen lol
2 years, 2 surgeries, 2 clomid fails, 2 IUIs, 1 loss, IVF #1 - 10/25/10 = BFP!, DS is now 3.5yrs!
TTC #2 - 6/12 surgery #3, FET #1 & 1.2 = BFN, 12/2012 FET #2 = BFP! DD is 1.5 yrs!
Surprise! 12/16/14 BFP, loss #2 12/31/14
I can't wait for the "im getting a divorce" post in 5 years or so because your husbands were fed up with your disgusting chair asses from playing on the knot all day and getting fired 4-5 times for not doing any work. you guys are all winners!! ~ Laur929
I enjoy seeking others opinions and getting advice on parenting. I get a lot of good insight from the boards on the bump. That being said, I don't take everything to heart, or I would go crazy!
This board is very familiar to me, I started on it in early Novemeber 2010, it is great seeing all of our Los grow. It is very nice to all be going through the same stages at the same times.
I don't have too many friends with infants, so I feel this is the next best thing for interaction regarding children. I am grateful to have this resource. I love being able to be uncensored in questions I ask and appreciates everyones honest opinions.
Yeeeeep.
Little M 6/16/2013
Angel baby 5/17/2014
For me, like a lot of the PPs, life as a SAHM can be isolating. Adding to that, I live an hour away from pretty much all my friends and family, and some days can be absolutely daunting.
I find it to provide me with friendship, escape, advice, a sounding board, and ultimately a lot of women who are going through the same thing I am in one way or another. And to be honest, I am really, really glad to have found such a great group of ladies to share the journey with.
This-
I wish I had time to write a full response. But you nailed it on the head for me. I bolded the parts that are ESPECIALLY true for me.
Entertainment and the occasional baby question. I avoid the age boards so this is the only other one where relevant baby questions get asked. Sometimes I find useful info, sometimes I roll my eyes.
I come back to this board because it is where I started when I got pregnant. At that time, it was pretty much Mrs.Leah.Maria and myself and then all the other BFP's started to roll in. It's a place where I was able to talk with other mom's-to-be and BTDT mom's and get and give advice.
I left pretty much because (1) I got busy; (2) I couldn't take some of the fakeness that started to roll in and (3) I started to find it creepy when a lurker would come out and know ALL about us but no one even knew who that person was. It made me step back and re-evaluate what I wanted to say on here. I pop in here and there, rarely do I post anymore unless I see some of the OG ladies posting.