|
1. What made you decide to join an online community forum?Why this one in particular among the many available? At first it was for the ticker, I had never been into forums. But I had a few questions and decided to stick around and ask them. So I found that I really like having someone to talk to and I was able to answer others questions. Why this one, the ladies were so helpful, friendly, supportive. They took me in, answered my questions, allowed me share my options and thoughts. I felt they really cared.
2. Do you feel like you have built relationships at this particular forum? Have you gotten to know other women and made friends? I have built many friendships, some of these ladies I now have know for almost 3 years. Some for not as long, but they still mean a lot to me. There are ladies I try to call at least once a month. There has been moms that we have exchanged clothes, I have made many friends!
3. Do you feel a sense of community, even though you are not meeting physically? YES!! It hurts when a TTC'er get a BFN, and I cheer for every BFP. It helps to hear others successes and pains of raising kids, having relationships, and just being people. Lets you know you are not alone.
4. How do you think the anonymity of the internet affects the relationships people are able to form? It can and has hurt people. You think you know someone for a year or 2 and then it turns out they are not who they say. It does hurt, but there are more good honest people out there than there are trolls. You have to listen to what they say all the time, use your head, ask yourself if everything they are saying makes sense.
5. Were you skeptical about sharing such personal information on a public forum? Yes, in the beginning I was, but I know a lot of these ladies and know personal things about them. I know DH names, kids names, what they do, where they live, its just a large family. BUT still in a larger forum I am, I have seen to many other lives "stolen"
6. What are your personal benefits from joining this forum, what has been the most useful aspect of this through the course of your pregnancy? Friendships!! Knowing that this person is 2 weeks ahead of me, and this one is 3 weeks behind me. Asking them how they are feeling, are they feeling the baby move, are they over their MS, are they having BH yet. Knowing they are going through some of the same things you are.
7. What links or resources do you use or participate in the most on this forum? I try to use it all, I try to encourage the TTC'ers, answer questions about feeding solids BF and FF. If I feel I can answer a question from my life experience's , I will in hopes that it helps someone else. I still love the tickers, and the local areas.
8. What do you feel most women come to this forum for? What purpose does it serve? Info and support which go hand in hand. If you have a question you need answered, there is almost always someone around, to hand you a bit of info, offer the support.
9. Have you found that there are rules of the forum? Are their shared values, slang, norms, or behaviors? Do you find other members to be welcoming or is there a separation of newbies and current members?'' There are so many abbreviations it takes a while to learn them, as for rules....Mainly use what you teach your kids, don't be rude, use your common sense. If it sounds nasty or mean, find a better way to say it. And don't run people in to the ground. There are a lot of first timers, offer help don't make them feel worse for asking. In the beginning there is some separation, yes, but that only lasts a few posts. Once you jump in your in! We love it when someone joins, and really starts posting, sharing things, asking advice, taking advantage of all we offer.
10. If there is any other information you would like to tell me about these topics or anything else, please feel free, I actually would welcome it to make sure I get a well-rounded understanding! Thanks for all of your help+
We have a ton of ladies, and gentleman, who have lived many different lives. They can offer so many different opinions and points of view, that is what make a forum like this tick. I can say yes and you say no, but we still respect each other and maybe even learn from each other. After all we all want the same things. To have healthy happy children, families, spouses, and our own lives. What I learn from you today, may help me tomorrow or 10 years down the road.
__________________
__________________
Mom to 4 girls, and a boy on the way!
|
Survey: Pregnant Women and Internet Use
Linear Mode
