I Really Don't Understand This Site...

Updated on April 09, 2014
B.R. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
18 answers

I have randomly lurked on this site for many years and I have never understood why it continues to be a fairly busy site. It drives me crazy that you can't banter back and forth. Sure, every now and then you see someone post an update but really, the forum isn't set up to have any discussion. What's the deal? What's the draw? I guess for me it's the diversity of questions (and the occasional internet boredom) that brings me back. Why do you stay here? I've been on another parenting site for 15 years and many folks have met in real life and I feel like I "know" so many posters. Is it the same here for some posters? Just have always been curious.

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Featured Answers

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J.B.

answers from Boston on

I like the relative anonymity...I can ask a question here that I wouldn't ask on another forum because I don't have the info I use on this site tied back to accounts that I normally use with people in real life. I have a complicated family and it's nice to be able to get advice from others who have been in my shoes and give advice as well, without worrying about it coming back to my husband or kids that I'm writing about them to give or get advice.

20 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

well, it's not a banter/chat/social site, is it? it's advice.
i like the fact that the responses are focused (for the most part) and that the posters are anonymous (sort of.)
:) khairete
S.

16 moms found this helpful

More Answers

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

I check in every so often to find out what my friend's step mother makes.

42 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I don't really WANT to meet any of the moms on here.
Why?
Because I have asked questions on here about sex, oral sex, anal fissures, leaky breasts, and horrible family members. I have answered questions about sex, abusive spouses, horrible kids and families, and breasts.
I love the anonymity.
L.

35 moms found this helpful
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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Like Julie S, I also participate in a different forum where a more conversational thread is allowed.

As for meeting folks, I've met a couple of the Portland-area contingent over the past few years and they are very nice ladies. There's another person I enjoy messaging with as well.

I worked with kids for a long time and originally came here wanting to help and share knowledge. I've learned a LOT from moms of older kids, and about the variety of other parents' opinions on all sorts of topics, and I think it's rubbed off on me. It's interesting. I do have to say that I've grown exhausted of some of the same questions which come up repeatedly, but don't hold it against the OP, as this site really doesn't have good search engines for looking up past questions.

15 moms found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I know some of the personalities by now, and you can use the SWH for responses, but I don't use this site for socialization. I use it for questions and answers. I socialize elsewhere. You can also send someone a personal message if you want to chat more.

14 moms found this helpful
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❤.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

When my first was a newborn, I had many questions as a new mom.
I received the best advice & insight.
I had no one else to go to.
I am indebited to these moms.
Thanks for all the help!!!

10 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

I like the anonymity and I LOVE that it's not Facebook!
Back and forth banter can become fairly inane (Facebook proves that ALL the time).
I like that it's more or less family oriented.
Throughout my career I've worked with people from afar - over the phone, through email and teleconferences - and I've made friends with people that I've never met / never will meet in person.
I'm fine with that.
You keep coming back - you don't have to understand it.
Some people try it, don't like it and don't come back.

9 moms found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

This site serves its purpose for me, for Q&A and very diverse perspectives. For socialization I turn to Facebook, where I am a member of a group that spun-off from this Mamapedia group. It is a ton of fun and the ladies and gent on it are great.

9 moms found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Chattanooga on

I prefer it without the back-and-forth banter. This way, I get the advice I need without having to worry about people getting off track about something someone said... And there are less arguments. :)

8 moms found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

I am friends with a few others from this site on other sites.

I guess you just connect with some people and end up
friends!!

Hopefully you find what your are looking for!

7 moms found this helpful

E.A.

answers from Erie on

I love advice columns, I read a bunch of them. This site is much the same :) I don't know anyone here personally. I have another board that I have been with for 12 years where I connect more personally with other moms, some of whom I have met IRL.

5 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Richland on

Boredom.

Most of the people I care about here I know on other sites where we can chat.

4 moms found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Albany on

It's a nice site for advice without some of the snarky judgement you hear on other sites, and while it would be nice to have a little more give and take, it's fine for what it is... It's nice to be helpful even if you can't get too deep in this kind of forum. I'm with Mamazita on this, too...

3 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

Added - bahaha, Momwithcamera! That's funny!

Original:
What's the other site you've been on?

3 moms found this helpful

A.J.

answers from Williamsport on

HA HA HA!! Ditto all these answers!

2 moms found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

I started back when this was Mamasource. My oldest was a newborn. This was also like 9 years ago.........give or take a few months.

Once I had made it through one and two.....I was on and off when three was baking.

It was not until I went through a life altering event, that this place became that place where everyone knew my name.

In 2011/12 I helped many understand the Occupy Wall Street movement here, as well as the issues they spoke on at a much more street level.

Now that it is 2014, I am 98% back on my feet from my accident.....and have found a full time job that suits me to a T, I am only here maybe once every few months.

I can see where there is a pack mentality here. I became close to a handful of people, meeting some in person and others wishing we could at some point in our lives.

Since I am not here day in and day out anymore, I always wonder who the top dogs are and how they have taken over ruling the roost.

When I was a SAHM/WAHM, I was on here daily if not hourly. I dont know how I did it now that I am not that person. yikes.

This site is helpful. I did try to get n with some other sites, none offered what this place could.

It served its purpose.

I do find myself deciding if my curiosity warrants me coming and talking things out in my head in the form of a question, just to relive old times. But then I realize, I dont need to come and ask a question that will face palm answers to me........because most the time they questions will equate to something like asking how to boil water without burning it.

I do miss everyones thoughts and input on the challenges in life......but look at me rolling doing the big girl thinking on my own most the time now:)

2 moms found this helpful

V.S.

answers from Reading on

The part I really don't get is why you're here if you don't like it when there are so many other sites you could go to? When I don't like something, I stop using it...

2 moms found this helpful
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