Why Is Mamapedia So Great? :)

The bond is that we are all women... except for a couple of dudes. We are a giant cyber-gang.

Merry Christmas!!

it's like y'all are all my friends that I can be completely honest with and y'all will be completely honest with me. YAY!

I am here for the money. :p

We're the major leagues of moms.

O. thing is for sure.
If you ask a questions, you're going to get a variety of honest answers.
They might be raw, might be snarky, might be smart a$$ed, might be extra sugar-coated, they might be blunt and to the point, but they'll be HONEST!

because no one I know uses it so I can ask really personal questions and get feedback without hurting someone's feelings in real life

It is pretty cool. I've heard horror stories about other sites that get clique-ish. It never really goes there.

I think we try to be honest without being obnoxious. And though the mamapedia monitors are sometimes clueless, on the whole, it seems like they respond quickly when someone is mean, rude, etc. Some of us can be a bit too blunt, but it seems that we can let that go till a person is truely hurtful. When that happens, we tend to react to call the hurtful person on it. People who browbeat others tend to leave cause the mamas here don't put up with it. :)

because everyone is different. NO one has had the same experiences - yes - there have been momma's who have lost babies at varies times during pregnancy - but no one experiences it the same...

because you have men and women on here from all walks of life...well off, middle class and near poverty level...everyone contributes something good to the group...whether you like them or not.

there are sooo many reasons it's great...

Because I'm awesome!
and so are each and every one of you!!!!

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays
and congratulations on being awesome!!!!!!!! :)

Oh, I can't wait for the answers to this one. :)

I think its because most people are respectful and really "real" here. I love all the moms and dads and I appreciate all of you!

KILLER diversity (although we could use some more dads!)

We self-select for RESPECT, instead of like attitudes :) :) :) So we've got:

- Parents (biological, adoptive, kinship, step, foster)
- Grandparents
- All ages (teen parents to first kid at fifty)
- All ages of 'kids' (infants - adult children)
- All socioeconomic classes
- All education backgrounds
- All (or at least a LOT!) religions
((Okay, at this point when I say 'all' substitute 'in most if not all'))
- All family makeups (married, divorced, single, blended, etc.)
- All political parties
- All sexual identities (SGLBTQ)
- All regions of the country
- All educational models (homeschool, dayschool, boarding school)
- All 3 healthy parenting styles (permissive, authoritative, authoritarian)
- a whole heckuva lotta subheadings under those styles (ex: attachment, CIO, timeout, spanking, helicopter, free range, etc.)
- SAHP, WAHP, WP
- A LOT of different jobs
....
....
....

The list just keeps going, and going, and going.

Thing is, all groups self select. Most self select for ONE of those things above. Like MOPs, or Greater Chicago Families, or SAHMs, or this method, that makeup, this religion, that educational choice, etc.

Instead <grin> WE'VE got the whole shebang!!!

Also, the 'core' group doesn't exist. There are a couple HUNDRED regulars, with very different views. So we get a lot of newcomers who become regulars... Because there are nearly always people who are 'like' them.

At our base level... We're kind, and respectful. Everyone has off days (weeks, months... My whole YEAR has been snarky), but those are really the minority. People get up and complain about how catty/whatever they see the group becoming from time to time... But I don't see that (granted, Ive been in a snit for a year). 99:100 what's being complained about is either a one off, a troll, or a mistake (differing view INTENDED to be helpful, but taken badly).

I feel sooooooooooooo LUCKY to be a part of Mamapedia (still wish the name was less gender biased). I learn so much, have been helped so much, (even have a safe place to vent so i dont lose it IRL), and am by far a better parent and person for all y'all.

Love fest!!!

Love. It. Here.

I like that there are a lot of "regulars" on here, you can kind of get to know their response style and know where they are coming from with their advice.
I often read responses to stuff I don't even plan to answer myself, just because it's interesting and I like to see what other people say- like a Giant Dear Abby column.

For the most part, I think because it is a safe place to open up about your worries,hopes,fears,goals,challenges,frustrations for awhile and get honest feedback and support without judgment staring back at you.

Merry Christmas,Happy Holidays,Happy New Year,Happy End of the world day...I think that covers the gang.

Have a blessed time with family and friends..and hug everyone a little tighter this season!! (even your MIL)

Ok, I give up.....why?

It's a riddle, right?

:)

here is my boring answer- Its the format. each of us gets one post per question ( barring sneaky people with double accounts) so you make your point and then see if people agree or not
but you don't get those huge back and forth mini dramas like you do on other forums. I hate wading through those.

and I like Amanda's awesomeness!!! answer.

I have gotten wonderful, compassionate, helpful advice but I have also received "feedback" that does not take my question for face value. Too often, the readers will critique a completely unrelated aspect of my post or insinuate things that are simply not true. I hope you continue to have wonderful experiences.

As a grandma, I like it because I can ask questions from moms, dads, & other grandparents & don't feel foolish. I was one of 3 girls growing up. I have a daughter, soooo, I was clueless that boys are so different. Thanks & have a great holiday !!