Daycare.com Forum and its Future

[Josiegirl]

I've noticed the down tick of replies but thought it was just me. :confused:
I don't contribute nearly as much anymore because I feel I don't have anything to add, not being in the business. And the off topic section isn't as fast track as it used to be.

I like option 3 as well. Just curious, would any of the topics change or the format?
I prefer using my laptop because it's much easier to see than my phone plus I'm not that good with my phone. But that's just me.
Whatever you decide is fine, as long as it doesn't disappear altogether.

[Michael]

The format would look the same on your desktop. The biggest improvement would be on your smart phone. The layout would be better and you would not need to zoom in on text or pictures.

[Gemma]

My vote is for option 3 as well

[flying_babyb]

I've noticed the down tick of replies but thought it was just me. :confused:
I don't contribute nearly as much anymore because I feel I don't have anything to add, not being in the business. And the off topic section isn't as fast track as it used to be.

I like option 3 as well. Just curious, would any of the topics change or the format?
I prefer using my laptop because it's much easier to see than my phone plus I'm not that good with my phone. But that's just me.
Whatever you decide is fine, as long as it doesn't disappear altogether.

I miss the off topic fastness too! I hate doing forums on my phone, all those LITTLE letter buttons. I grew up in the tech age and still perfer my laptop

[Michael]

Well with the mobile ready forum, your desktop and laptop will still look the same. With the newer program, smart phones will be able to display the text better.

[dolores]

Option 3. And a downloadable app would be a nice feature for smartphone and computer.

[CeriBear]

Option # 3 is my vote too.

[Ariana]

Option #1 OR #3.

[Lovatic24]

Not #1

[Josiegirl]

I vote #3.

I don't mind "starting over" at all.

In all honesty I don't post as often or reply sometimes because I think "why repeat something that has been typed out a ton of times already" so having the opportunity to reply and give advice on a new platform would be welcome in my opinion.

While I agree with this, I also disagree. :: Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

[Michael]

While I agree with this, I also disagree. :: Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

Thank you. While this month has had a lot of loss for me there is also much to celebrate. My son Jonathan worked on the Mars 2020 Mission at JPL that successfully landed on Mars yesterday. Here are a few pictures for him with his late grandmother at the Jet Propulsion laboratory.

[Cat Herder]

That is amazing.

[Annalee]

While I agree with this, I also disagree. :: Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

There is some truth in this, Josie! However, sometimes I'm just 'talked-out'. On our zoom meetings, a provider text me and asked why I wasn't talking/speaking up. I told them "I've been in this business so long, every single one KNOWS how I feel already". :: Just tired of rinsing/repeating. Make sense? :confused:

[Blackcat31]

There is some truth in this, Josie! However, sometimes I'm just 'talked-out'. On our zoom meetings, a provider text me and asked why I wasn't talking/speaking up. I told them "I've been in this business so long, every single one KNOWS how I feel already". :: Just tired of rinsing/repeating. Make sense? :confused:

Yes, this!

I absolutely agree that parents change, rules change and expectations do as well but there are times in which I read some of the things that providers post and I honestly think in my head that they know the answer, they just don't want to hear it. Or the ever popular....they want an easy solution because they don't like conflict or confrontation.

It's hard to be a business owner as it is but to manage a business that involves humans on both the child and adult level in conjunction with your own family's needs and there is going to be conflict or confrontation and the short answer is there is no way to avoid it other than to just cave and let parents and children walk all over you or use your backbone. Truth be told, those are THE only options.

Also as a long time provider it's hard to "fluff" up my reply/advice as to not hurt the posters feelings but still state the truth. kwim?

I've watched (and participated) in the evolution of both this board and the role of being a provider and I understand the metamorphosis of what happens to those long time providers as they progress through their careers.

For example, not too long ago a former provider that no longer posts regularly here made a comment about seasoned providers on this site having a "mean girl" attitude and creating an atmosphere here that newbies aren't welcome.

I've gotten PM's from new providers/members telling me that I (as well as a few other veteran posters) are heartless, cruel and basically burnt out. It's almost as if they know that hard work is required to achieve the results they want but rather than accept the advice, they use anger towards those that gave the advice.
(hopefully that makes sense)

I read alot and keep up with new posts etc here but I definitely don't feel the need to offer up advice that does work only to called heartless etc.

As I said, I agree that parents change, rules change and expectations change but most of all providers change. Most (NOT all) newer providers want butterflies and glitter all the time. They don't want to be told clients won't put them first or care about them as people. They don't want to hear those things. They want easy and they want nice.

[Michael]

Well said BC. There is a different dimension with this forum, in that it puts the whole nation’s opinions onto different providers in both large and small towns. One size does not fit all.

We have to take what is helpful and toss all the rest away. The culling of posts is a personal decision. The problem is created when members want an all-or-nothing approach here. That is more a current reaction to current events. We are becoming segregated in many ways in the country. Politics has crept into everything and the old norms don’t work as well.

We have so much information on here that it’s generational. Social change in a format that is stark to see. That is a positive IMO. It reflects the truth no matter how hard visitors try to define it otherwise. The forum now has a past, present and future.