A simple request to all members - everyone please read

jcc64 wrote: I've been on this board since Corey was a teeny weeny infant, and she's just turned 4. Some of us have been here along time, others just got here. Anyone who's been here awhile is acutely aware of how hard Dee Dee and Rod and all of the mods work to keep the atmosphere civilized and user friendly. Sometimes there is a small price to be paid for that, mainly that we need to be a little less strident or forceful with our words than we ordinarily would. It's a price I'm willing to pay, and I'm sure most here would agree b/c it's allowed us to relate to each other like intelligent adults and friends, unlike many other boards on the web.
The reason I mention this is b/c lately, I've noticed our cherished civility slipping quite a bit. As long as we adhere to the TOS, we all have a right to be here, whether we have 10,000 posts, or 2. I'd hate to belong to a group that reflexively greets new members with hostility and mistrust. I'd also hate to belong to a group that exhibits no patience with people who are trying to find their way here, who are not yet accustomed to our specific board culture.
I'd hate to see us divide up into camps here based on rigid ideology. Let's leave that to the cable news channels. Way back when, I considered leaving this board b/c I felt like such an odd man out all the time. But something kept drawing me back, and that was all the incredible people here- not just those with whom I have the most in common, but also those that are so very different from me. It'd be so much easier to surround myself with people who agree with me all the time- sometimes I really want to smash my head against my monitor with some of our social/political "discussions", but I ALWAYS come away with food for thought. The whole experience has been very nourishing, and I've grown ALOT as a result.
So, please guys and girls- let's remember to play nice.

PrairieMom replied:

gr33n3y3z replied: Thank you Jeanne

kimberley replied: thank you for posting, Jeanne. i share your sentiments

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
Nicely said, thank you!

My3LilMonkeys replied:

luvbug00 replied:

luvmykids replied:
Are you spying on me?

I can't dismiss the common grounds we all share over a debate

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Seriously... Jeanne has SUCH a way with words. Well said!!!

mom2my2cuties replied: Very well said - I think at times we are all pretty quick to judge. And sometimes we all forget that we can't take the context of a post based solely on what we read - tone isn't always what it appears.

~Roo'sMama~ replied: Thanks Jeanne.

Crystalina replied: Thanks for that. I actually have left this site before for the reasons you mentioned above. I also keep coming back because for every member that I don't agree with or (I think) has a problem with me there are far many more members that I love to pm and truly connect with. Thanks for posting that.

C&K*s Mommie replied:

MoonMama replied: Thank you, very well said...I must admit I feel like the odd man out a lot.

amymom replied: Nicely said. Thank you.

3xsthefun replied: Very well said, thankyou!

amynicole21 replied: Well put, Jeanne.

BAC'sMom replied:

MomToJade&Jordan replied: Well said as always Jeanne Thank you.

booey2 replied: Great job Jeanne, that's why I love this place.

Terri

Kaitlin'smom replied: you always manage to say what so many of us want to but cant get the right words out. THANK YOU

1lilpeanut2love replied: Thanks!!

redchief replied: Okay, now darnit Jeanne, that's enough! I have a rule about not agreeing with you two days in a row! You are ruining my carefully cultivated conservative facade!

Of course I'm just kidding, and you're absolutely right.

I jest here, but seriously, if you look back it becomes quite obvious that I don't agree with many on politico-socio-economic (that's a lot of dashes) issues, but I always remind myself that everyone is entitled to their beliefs and, while it's okay to disagree with a position, it's never okay to personally attack another because of that position. We have a unique and varied forum here where people come originally to share thoughts on how to raise our kids and get through those hard times life throws at us in our families' journeys. But, like all of society we are not one dimensional and other things concern us not specifically related to parenting. I believe that discussion of all life issues is important, because we instill our beliefs in our kids; that too is part of parenting. Like Jeanne said, while I've disagreed, sometimes strongly, with the opinions of others, I always come away from debates with something. Sometimes my mind even gets changed a little (don't get your hopes up too much ). In any case, I usually come away with the feeling that others care about what I care about. That's important!

Oldsters, remember, this place belongs to all and while we call it home, there's plenty of room for more; both like us and unlike us. Newsters, remember, we're here for a shared purpose, that is parenting. We share other thoughts and discuss a wide range of issues and sometimes just post what's on our minds, and that helps us all to learn about each other and what we are looking for in our lives. These things can generate passion, and it can feel personal when someone disagrees. So, while it's important to forward your position, it isn't important, necessarily, to change the mind of another. This forum needs both it's oldest members, it's newest, and those who have yet to find this place, for survival and a continued healthy life. Jeanne said this was a "simple request." For some it may not be, but it is something we all have to keep in mind. I would hate to see this place become just another polarized flame war site. The people here are too special.

TheOaf66 replied: now what fun is that

ok, I will

Adrienne522 replied: That is why I LOVE YOU GUYS

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Nicely Said! I Agree completely!

My2Beauties replied: Well put Jeanne and Ed! This is a wonderful place

redchief replied: Worthy of a

C&K*s Mommie replied: Ed & Jeanne great explanations

3_call_me_mama replied: Agreed! And Well said Jeanne and Ed!

siblingtooolivia replied: Very well said....I think sometimes chatting on line rather than face to face can be very challenging, I have seen people who are close friends lose that friendship over emails because they interpret things that are written in a way that the sender didn't mean....face to face is always best in communicating but this board is wonderful so I think your words serve as a wonderful reminder to treat others as you wish to be treated!

Great Job

Maddie&EthansMom replied:

Boys r us replied: Jeanne, I LOVE YOU!!!! Girl, what would this place be without you??? seriously...I know you didn't write this post in order for us to salute you, but I just need to make sure you know what a wonderful gift you are to this community!

This was a needed thread..what you said needed to be said for awhile now and you said it with such grace..as always..you never fail to find the right words!

ashtonsmama replied: Very well put. Thanks Jeanne.

youngmomofone replied: I left this board for a while soon after I joined because I didnt feel like I belonged. But one day I came across a post from someone saying they found a neat board and it was this one, so I decided to come back. SO far everyone has been so supportive of me and I am here to stay.

holley79 replied: Thanks for the reminder Jeanne. I think sometimes I forget my manners.

kimberley replied: in case anyone missed this the first time

booey2 replied: