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November 2022 Moms
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Proposal for Board Organization

PurplePumpernickelPurplePumpernickel member
in November 2022 Moms
Hi folks! So it seems like The Bump has changed a bit since I was last pregnant five years ago, and I had a thought. I know we have the Big Question Thread, which is great for quick, one-off questions, and the product rec threads each week. I understand the desire to keep things organized so we don't have 12 car seat threads. However, I think there are a lot of questions that seem one-off but create fruitful discussions that would seem too lengthy in the question thread. One example is the poster asking about when we're all telling our workplaces about our pregnancy. That would be a great discussion, with the potential for a lot of posts and different viewpoints and approaches!

I also think that the continual encouragement for posters to add their questions to the Question thread, while gentle and following the board rules, may be preventing some posters who aren't used to discussion forums from feeling comfortable posting at all. 

The boards do have a search function. So if we are finding that people post the same 12 questions over and over, we can gently refer them to the search function and the previous posts on that topic. 

I want to be respectful of folks' opinions here, but also wanted to raise a different viewpoint. It is still early and we're still getting to know one another, but there is something truly special about getting to know a group of people who are going through the same pregnancy stuff, and then the same newborn-infant-baby stuff as you are. I mentioned before, but I still text some folks I met on my July 2017 board daily. They knew I was pregnant this time around before my parents. I think we can get there, but I think we need a little more freedom to discuss things without everything clogging one Question thread.

I welcome others' thoughts!
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Re: Proposal for Board Organization

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  • PurplePumpernickelPurplePumpernickel member
    Ok, so please know that this was not directed at any one person. The other week I was tempted to direct someone to Big Questions, but someone beat me to it :)

    I do think we can deal if we have 57 threads about HGCs or car seats or what have you. I like the idea of a weekly questions thread, that's a little easier to navigate, or ignoring. I'd be down for a GIF takeover, but I know that not everyone is as snarky as I can be. I think things can be more dynamic to create a good community!
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  • ponyoisfunponyoisfun member
    Thank you for bringing this up!
    I am all for a weekly question thread. I guess I also don't appreciate the "drive-by" posters...I would just like people to have at least introduced themselves/done a weekly check-in before asking a question.  If they really don't want to invest in the community then they can post on another forum...

    I do also want a dynamic community, but I think that it is easier if there is some structure.  

    I also want to put out a general reminder to everyone that anyone can start and/or suggest other regular scheduled posts. 

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  • chuckle_sandwichchuckle_sandwich member
    Once a week question thread would be nice. I avoid the GBQT because there’s so much back and forth and trying to get back to someone who posted two pages before is annoying. 

    Also, just my opinion, but one-offs aren’t a turn off to me. If a person doesn’t want to read or respond to one-offs then don’t, it’s that easy. Ultimately it’s up to whoever is the leader or admin to decide.
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  • sunshine2417sunshine2417 member
    I go back and forth on this. 

    I’m usually very laid back and go with the flow, however I have also seen the boards get veeeery crazy and overloaded with too many one off threads. Once more people are out of the early MC window, a lot of people tend to join and it turns into there being like 20 threads on the same thing with 50 comments on each and people kinda lose touch with the group because it’s too overwhelming. I like keeping some structure in order to form community, have conversations, and ultimately have a solid core group for if/when we make the leap to other social media and have an idea of who regulars are. I think @ponyoisfun has had a very nice way of redirecting people in the group threads too. 

    Honestly, if it’s a regular person posting new threads, I don’t mind because they know it’s something that has or hasn’t been talked about somewhere, but it’s all the AW fly-bys of “HI ANSWER THIS QUESTION NOW!” and then people invest time and energy for someone to flee that can be annoying. 

    On the opposite side though, one of my bump groups did blow up at points of people moderating the boards waaaaayyy too much and that got overly crazy too. I guess, let’s all try to find good balance? Use good judgement?

    Andbutalso, please change knottie names noooow kthanksbye!
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  • ashnicellashnicell member
    I agree with the weekly question boards. They'd be easier to navigate than just the one giant thread. 

    I don't mind some of the one-off posts involving questions that could promote discussion like the one about telling your employer. The ones that I could do without are the ones asking if numbers are normal, lack of symptoms or managing symptoms, etc. 
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  • natasha212natasha212 member
    edited April 2022
    I do agree that we need ‘structure’ but I believe one off threads and questions can lead to conversations and some form of bonding like the employment question seeing as though some of us are transitioning back to work life after the pandemic. There are over 130+ replies in the introduction thread so a lot of ladies have taken the time to introduce themselves and then proceeded to ask questions. We are all busy outside of this forum and the person could just want a one off answer because they are experiencing that at the moment and need support or answers. I think driving everyone to the ‘Great Big Question Thread’ can get daunting and seem very impersonal for some, if someone wants to answer the questions they should and if someone doesn’t know then leave well enough alone. 

    There are two threads about GTKY that we did not need but as ladies we participated so I believe some grace should be given to others.

    We can have weekly round up threads and once we get through the first trimester I think structure will automatically happen since right now everything is new and fresh as it is happening that’s why we’re having the one off questions.

    looking forward to the continued growth and support of the community.
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  • sunshine2417sunshine2417 member
    @fantasyflyte that seems like a great middle ground! I like iiiitttt! 
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  • sejicasejica member
    natasha212 said:

    There are two threads about GTKY that we did not need but as ladies we participated so I believe some grace should be given to others.
    GTKY are part of the Tuesday schedule, so I'm not sure what you mean by this? Anyone is more than welcome to start any of the regular threads (uo Thursday, ffc Friday, GTKY Tues), especially if you would prefer them be more in the direction of what "we need", rather than the light hearted diversion from some of the anxiety that plagues early pregnancy. Its a struggle for me to craft fun GTKY that are inclusive, without triggering people, or asking them to share information that could be used to find them IRL, and add a cute gif on top of it. I do it though, because I want to get to know all of you, not just as incubators, but as a whole and complete persons.
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  • natasha212natasha212 member
    edited April 2022
    sejica said:

    Its a struggle for me to craft fun GTKY that are inclusive, without triggering people, or asking them to share information that could be used to find them IRL, and add a cute gif on top of it. I do it though, because I want to get to know all of you, not just as incubators, but as a whole and complete persons.
    I have noticed that it’s a solid 8-9 mommies who respond and engage in the GTKY thread including you and myself so it was in no way an offense to you and your dedication to crafting fun and laughable questions. I just felt that steering everyone to the great big question thread the information could be lost for someone else who comes in and has that same question. Take for instance the HCG question, I truly learnt from that thread when it was posted because I genuinely didn’t know. If a thread is started and is not active it automatically goes to the bottom and there is a filter also but not everyone who doesn’t play around and figure out the board will know. 

    I participate in the threads because these ladies are the only ones who are feelings similar symptoms and it feels good to share and not be alone. 🙂
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  • coldlife2coldlife2 member
    Keep in mind there are no mods here. There are the Bump people, but all they do is step in for bannings and such mostly only when people report things. No one has the authority to enforce the “rules” that the community makes. Be the change you want to see on the board. If you want to post on a thread and respond to a one off, go ahead and do it. No one’s stopping you. 
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  • Gingermom15Gingermom15 member
    @mali0902 same here lol I try to keep up with the threads but along with feeling awful and tired, the app isn’t exactly the most user friendly. I’m happy with whatever organization is voted by the majority. I do think we could centralize FAQs, the further we go the more random new users like to post and ghost and clog the boards with the same questions.
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  • fantasyflytefantasyflyte member
    I think this all looks good! The only thing I'd add is breaking down the weekly check ins to due date groupings now that most people due in Nov are here or will be soon.
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  • ponyoisfunponyoisfun member
    @fantasyflyte Thank you for the reminder!  I will definitely include that.  I will leave a few days for people to review everything and if I don't hear anything else I will post it.  
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  • PurplePumpernickelPurplePumpernickel member
    I think this all makes sense!
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