1st August - Whinge Free Day in the Family Room?

[ladywotlunches]

I used to love the Family Room - a place to go and meet up with like minded local parents, share thoughts and ideas, chew the fat, and not live in fear of those "non-parents" on the other sections who feel we have invaded the area!

But increasingly, I find that the FR is a place for whinging, bickering, criticism and oneup(wo)manship. I still find it useful, but I wonder for how long I can carry on without my blood pressure going too high. I'm certainly not whiter than white on the above, but with everyone so online now (phones, iPads etc), its easy to put in little remarks without really thinking (and even easier when we can't see/don't know the person we are addressing).

So, to make us stop and think about what we post, can I suggest that tomorrow, Monday 1st August is a day that we keep our gripes/criticisms to ourselves? Advice can be sought, chat can be had, but perhaps stopping and thinking a bit more before we post will help spread some peace and love ("man"), back to the Family Room. And who knows, with the sunny weather forecast for the rest of the week, we might all be in better moods and can can continue the love-in for longer.

What do we all think? *Runs for cover*

LWL

[Fuschia]

I agree

I posted twice in the last week then felt quite upset at the tone of some responses (though I didn't rise to thd bait) and then that makes me less eager to post here when people have asked for information or support, and that's a shame

My mum used to say 'if you cAn't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all' and it's not a bad motto

Silly thing is, I doubt very much whether the peoPle concerned would be so sharp in tone speaking to others in real life!

[cuppa tea]

Fuschia Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> Silly thing is, I doubt very much whether the

> peoPle concerned would be so sharp in tone

> speaking to others in real life!

Thank god! At least people's venom is contained to the virtual world...otherwise it would be chaos on the street of East Dulwich. Forums do tempt people to get on their soap-boxes - I know it does this to me! It's good to have a debate, but I admit I don't like it when it gets nasty.

[Otta]

I think the whole problem with the FR is that it all goes back to parenting decisions, and people find it hard not to take it a bit personally if someone says that they disagree with something.

Debate is good though, and the FR is a very useful thing.

[ladywotlunches]

Indeed. But sometimes I think that rather than offer advice, criticism is given instead. Like Fuschia said, I doubt very much if anyone would criticise parenting decisions face to face in the way they do here. Sometimes its good, and I do think the FR is useful. But other times I just think "play nicely, people"!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Hear hear! I think often threads start as a bit of a discussion but it all gets very personal very quickly- there are certain "hot" topics that whenever discussed, my heart sinks because I know exactly how it's all going to end up.

Parenting is bloody hard. Let's be nice. Etc.

[ClareC]

Totally agree, but then also think there are certain repeat offenders and do wonder if it's purposely done...... Perhaps if we just ignored them when they offend they will get bored and play elsewhere :-)

[ladywotlunches]

So, how's it been for everyone? Maybe I'm looking through rose tinted specs, but the general atmosphere seems cheerier on here today.Could just be the sunshine I suppose.