I'm new...so many buttons.... - :)

Doctor_Mom wrote: Hi everyone

I happened upon this board by a pure freak of nature and looked around. There seems to be a lot of great people here so I thought maybe I'd post and say hi. Y'all have a lot of signatures and things like that. I logged in and lo' and behold clicked on 'my controls' which was most likely a mistake as I think I need a manual to learn what all these fancy buttons do. I apologize in advance for the strange posts you'll see from me as I attempt to learn message board basics. Be kind...that's all I ask

As you can see, I don't have a lot of experience with message boards so I'll most likely badger you poor folks for the meaning of words like DH, etc.

I guess I should introduce myself, though I'm unsure as to what all to say here. I'm 29, mom to several kids it seems, though only one is mine according to the legal papers that say I adopted him As far as marriage goes, I've been with the same great guy for more years than either of us can remember and oddly enough, we still like each other *grin*. I'm a working mom (though the term 'working mom' cracks me up as I don't know a mom that *doesn't* work in some way). I used to be a teacher but found I wasn't happy with ignoring the problems kids face, and simply trying to teach them math, so I became a behavioural specialist. My life has always revolved around kids and families in one way or another. I've worked with kids of all ages and backgrounds. I specialize in special needs (ADHD, Autism, learning disabilities, etc), as well as rehabilitation of young offenders (specifically violent kids). From there I became a crisis counselor for kids and families caught in the midst of domestic abuse, etc, and currently work as the director of counseling for a large agency. I've made myself sound like an over-educated nerd.

Since adopting my son though, my life has slowed down considerably. Now I work part time as director of counseling and teach seminars on various topics related to parenting and relationships. I also go to school part time to finish my phd in child psychopathology. When I'm not doing that, I spend a great deal of time explaining to a 7 year old why putting a garden hose through the car window and turning it on, might not be the best way to clean mom's car, though the thought is greatly appreciated.

It's nice to meet you! I would love it if you could introduce yourself to me or point me in the direction of a thread where you have already introduced yourselves if you don't want to brag all about yourself and your family all over again.

Now I'm off to try and figure out if there are college classes I can take to learn how to work message boards.

ediep replied: hi and welcome! Looking forward to getting to know you

Doctor_Mom replied: Hi Edie! Thanks for the welcome

Hey my signature thing worked. Woo hoo!

loveydad replied: Howdy Stranger! Welcome

Doctor_Mom replied: Hi Loveydad! Thanks for the welcome.

I admit I'm tempted to ask who 'the twits' are, but I'm worried I may regret it.

loveydad replied: The twits are my five year old sons. My 10 month old twins (no i don't have two sets, they are biologically my ex's, long long story) are the Twibbles.

jcc64 replied: Hi and welcome! Don't feel bad, I'm basically a computer idiot, and I work on one all day long! I still don't know how to work some of the features on this board, but there are plenty of people here who will be happy to help, and I believe the info is pinned somewhere as well.
FYI, I'm Jeanne, I'm married, work full time as a designer, have 3 kids, and live in upstate NY. Looking forward to getting to know you.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: Hello and Welcome to the Parenting Club. I'm Kirsten, mom to Emily (9), Spencer (7) and Claudia (2). I'm also a fellow Canadian, love your signature. I look forward to getting to know you and your family!

mammag replied: Hello and welcome! I am Jeanie (30) SAHM to 4 (in signature) and daycare provider to 2 (5yrs & 2yrs).

I hope you find this board helpful and it sounds like you will be of help to others on here as well.

Look forward to getting to know you!

mom21kid2dogs replied: Hi & welcome! I think you'll like it here~it's such a nice, friendly environment. Adoption has always been near and dear to my heart. I worked for 22 years in adoption through a public children services agency. The last 12 of them I spent pioneering post legal adoption services. Challenging, but wonderful work! I loved working with adoptive families and am lucky to still see many of my families from time to time. I quit work (for money ) when my daughter was 2 but plan to go back in a few years when she's in school full time. Looking forward to "seeing" more of you here!

MommyToAshley replied: Hello and Welcome!!! Come on in and make yourself at home! It's nice to meet you.

As for the board itself...
It looks like you have figured out the avatar and signature, and those are the most important buttons...LOL! There is a link at the top of the page to Abbreviations that has most of the commonly used ones. However, I am still learning new ones as I go.

Welcome again, looking forward to getting to know you!

Mommy2~4 replied: Hello,
I'm new here too.My name is Sarah and I have 4 children 13,11,5 & 14months. Hope to get to know ya better.

5littleladies replied: Hi and Welcome!

I'm Jennifer, I'm a stay at home mom of 3 girls-Madeline is 6, Megan is 5, Brianna is 2, and we just found out that we have another on the way.

It's nice to meet you! I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.

Josie83 replied: Hi and welcome. I'm Josie, I'm 21 and married to Jason, we have a two year old called Cassie xx

Doctor_Mom replied: Wow! Thank you all so much for the warm welcome. People don't usually greet me with that much enthusiasm unless I owe them money. lol

I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you!

aspenblue1 replied: Hi and Welcome!

My2Beauties replied: Hi and welcome, I am LeaAnn mommy to Hanna Marie (14 months) and soon to be step mommy to Desiree Ann (9). I am engaged to Brian and we are getting married on May 21, 2005!! I currently work full time and go to school part-time nights, I graduate this semester I am so happy to get out of school! Sounds like you have had a lot of schooling yourself...how do you do it I'm going crazy getting my bachelors! Nice to meet ya and looking forward to hearing from you more!