<p>I agree with tututaxi. I have found the adults/parents on this forum to be articulate and the kind of people who go out of their way to help and give great advice :) </p>
<p>I have been a regular poster in another forum (for cooking/recipes) and although most of the members there are nice, some are REALLY the kind of people I'd never want to meet IRL.
One reason I like this CC board is that we all talk about kids (or, nearly everyone). On my other board there is a whole group of people who don't have kids, don't ever want to have kids, don't like kids, etc. Fine. But it seems to have to come up at least every 6 months or so and turns into a huge debate (I mean, argument). I know several people who are, or who want to remain childless, and that is fine and many of them I enjoy for something else we have in common. But I'm telling you, on my other board there are some very bitter, self-righteous, nasty people who are very proud (and will mention in 2 out of 3 posts) that "they are never having kids". I'm very tempted to say, "Good. Who wants a miniature version of YOU running around on the planet??" But so far I have always refrained and not actually posted that. </p>
<p>Not sure what purpose that served other than to say how nice it is here :)</p>
<p>The title of the thread made me curious....had I missed a big "fight" these past few days? Sometimes, a thread can take a sharp turn, and some replies stand out from their tone.... I know I lurked soo long that I felt like I knew some of the posters.....certainly I have never visited here with the intent to ever attack or malign anyone.... and agree with the premise if someone is asking for help, they probably need it... sometimes the underlying assumptions are sooo incorrect one hardly knows where to start.....so I leave those threads to others with more patience and experience and knowledge....</p>
<p>And then there were the posts about how to speak like a Maineiac....I moved to Maine when I was 21 and while "wicked" is Maine lingo.....another word that I heard constantly when my oldest (now a college freshman) was born, and I walked him around and around our little neighborhood, was "cunning" ... all the neighbor ladies used it to describe him and and it always made me smile.....and Bowdoin is definitely not rural.....and the people in Waterville, where Colby is located, are some of the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet. Great schools and definitely worth a visit. </p>
<p>and finally, the wish for explanations about abbrieviations is what prompted me to finally post a reply....here is a link to a site that explains more shorthand than you could ever want to know...I bookmarked it in case I ran into one that was greek to me, turns out there are a lot that I never imagined existing, never mind needing.....saw a new one just now when I checked the site... AAS
alive and smiling! or
IYKWIMAITYD which stands for
If you know what I mean AND I think you do.....kind of cute, yes?
anyway, here is the link, not sure how to make it live, so cut and paste</p>
yeah, me too. I was expecting a sort of Dr Zeusian rhyme with a title like, Rules of Decorum for CC Parent's Forum .... kind of disappointing... :(</p>
<p>Started the thread just out of curiousity about how other people decided whether or not to post. No intention to censor or proscribe any particular approach as right or wrong. </p>
<p>To the person who just sent me a PM (Carolyn, your point well taken) using a word to describe me...sorry for any offense taken, however, at least have the courage to say it in public since I don't happen to have a German dictionary, and maybe one of the kind people here could translate what you have called me!!</p>
<p>Well I'm sure I have been guilty of some of these "no nos." </p>
<p>As far as self serving--what I wonder about is "full discloser" for folks with a vested interest. I was surprised to learn that some parenst on this board have no child in or near this process but are alumni leaders or interviewers with certain schools, work for said schools, etc. Happy to have them but I wish they would make the affiliation known so if they put down a "competing school" or profess a point of view I know to take that opinion in that context.</p>
<p>I read recently where a student was struggling between two good choices. One poster had very strong reasons he shoud choose school A. On another post it came out poster worked for school A.</p>
<p>I think post #46 makes an interesting point. I actually can't recall any instance of college EMPLOYEES being drawn to my attention on this Parents Forum. On the MIT Forum, there are two MIT officers who make very helpful posts--I think their willingness to be open about the process at their college is wonderful publicity for MIT, and I've never, ever seen them badmouth any other college.</p>
See, I'm sorry to say that my first reflex is to say to your PM-er "Why don't you PM me if you have any guts...". I really do have some over-active protective instinct when these trolls pick on folks I admire (who are much much nicer and more emotionally mature than I am, and perfectly capable of defending themselves). I apologize in advance. Again.</p>
<p>You are entirely correct! So, ignore obnoxious people and spend the time with those of us who think you are an awesome person and who fully understood the original intent of your thoughtful post!</p>
<p>Yep, I, too, begin to type responses, get busy with work (ooh, does that mean I check this board at work- well, only on breaks :p ) and when I reread it later, it seems insipid and I delete the whole thing.</p>
<p>Some one mentioned lurking and feeling you know every one else so well, though they really have not had the opportunity to appreciate your fine personality and hidden wit. I agree with that, there are some really clever people on this board and I have learned great stuff.</p>
<p>Just to clarify: It wasn't me! I live in Germany, but I didn't send anybody a PM! (No, nobody accused me. I just get nervous when I hear that somebody from Germany did something wrong, since mine is the only name I've seen on this board that mentions Germany. I try to be good most of the time, and don't want to get blamed.) But, Robrym, if you tell me the word, I can try to translate it! :) </p>
<p>I have learned a lot from CC. I lurk much more than I post, mostly because somebody else always knows more than me, anyway. And when I see a post get ugly, I usually quit reading that thread. In fact, for a short time, I quit visiting all together. (And so, SoozieVT, I completely missed your D's accident. Belated best wishes!) I, too, have responded with my gut instinct, only to delete before posting. Life is hard enough already.</p>
<p>Mcdeb1958 said it for me, what a great post! And a great birth year!</p>
<p>I post here primarily for my own amusement. That along with getting a smattering of learning from parents and kids, a dose of bragging in, and occasionally helping someone else if I have any knowledge or suggestions, works for me. I don't think it necessary to worry about decorum on internet bb's. I like a free-for-all.</p>
<p>Binx, thanks for the offer, it definitely wasn't you! I deleted the PM, in fact...about as close to "in your face" behavior as I feel comfortable with!</p>
<p>This thread has taken on a life of its own!!! I played spectator at CC for awhile but I am now sucked in. Don't have much in the way of advice yet since I am new to the process but am appreciative to those who so willingly share. I enjoy the kids posts. They convince me that they are mere mortals after reading so many incredible stats posted by parents. I have been made to feel welcome by those who answer my posts!!!!</p>
<p>DrDrewsMom, I so agree with you.....I thank God I had my son. I think but for the grace of God, I would have been like your cooking group people (culinary group people)? It's been a pleasure for all the 18 years I've had him. Aren't we lucky? :)</p>
<p>I truly value the raw honesty of teenagers. The "rules of decorum" are very lax in my house. I want to hear what they have to say, no matter how they say it. Generally, once a kid has blown off steam, he becomes very articulate about why he feels the way he feels. But if you cut him off at the pass, you'll never know. </p>
<p>I can't help but wonder about the communication in some homes. </p>
<p>"Mom, I didn't get accepted to any schools. Well except for that one I don't like."
"Son, THAT IS NOT TRUE YOU WERE ACCEPTED TO ONE SCHOOL. SO HOW CAN YOU SAY YOU WEREN'T ACCEPTED TO ANY SCHOOLS? BESIDES 6 MONTHS AGO YOU LOVED THAT SCHOOL. I REMEMBER BECAUSE YOU WROTE IT DOWN AND I SAVED IT. SEE-IT SAYS I LOVE THAT SCHOOL. WHY ARE YOU MAKING THINGS UP? BESIDES I TOLD YOU TO APPLY TO A SAFETY SCHOOL AND YOU DIDN'T LISTEN. YOU HAVE NO ONE TO THANK BUT YOURSELF. I MEAN YOU'RE THE FIRST IN THE FAMILY TO GO TO COLLEGE, DID YOU REALLY THINK YOU WERE GOING TO GET INTO THE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE?</p>
<p>See, if that's the way a person chooses to treat their own child, that's their private issue. But to take it onto this board is unconscionable. I for one would be appalled if someone treated my child like that. As would the vast majority of thinking parents.</p>
<p>They say everyone looks at the world thru their own prism. </p>
<p>If mcdeb1958's comments reflect what she took away from the discussion about the kid who complained she didn't get into any schools she'd want to go to, I'd have to say the axiom is quite accurate.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Generally, once a kid has blown off steam, he becomes very articulate about why he feels the way he feels. But if you cut him off at the pass, you'll never know.
[/quote]
imho, there is a lot of wisdom in this statement.</p>