Non-General Parenting posts in the General Parenting forum

[Anonymous]

Hi Jeff,
I am not sure you can really do anything about this, but I've noticed that there have been some topics posted in the General Parenting forum that really have nothing to do with general parenting and really should have been posted in Off Topic, Expectant Moms, etc. I know there was one called "Mice Issues" and a second one about Cytotec which, to me, should really go in the Off Topic and Expectant Moms forums, respectively.

Besides relying on readers to kindly type "this thread should've been posted in X forum" (which I realize is like shutting the barn door after the horses are out) is there anything that can be done? Perhaps there is a way to redirect/block postings based on certain key words - like if the word "due date" appears in the subject line it would be impossible for the thread to appear in any other forum besides Expectant Moms. However, given that there are a zillion words in the English language and it being too difficult to screen out which words (or combination of words) should be "allowed" to appear/match with which forum (not to mention overlap words) than I guess this wouldn't be a likely idea.
Or...
Once a new topic is created and the writer hits "submit" a message could pop up and say "are you sure this message should be posted in X forum?"

I know, I know....totally crazy thoughts and I am sure very very time consuming possibilities, but just wanted to throw it out there!

[Anonymous]

"Mice Issues" is located in Off Topic.

[jsteele]

The only thing that can be done is to educate users to post in the correct forum and then reinforce that education by moving and/or deleting incorrectly posted messages. I frequently delete messages from the General Parenting Discussion forum. I moved the "mice" topic. When a message is moved, it leaves a link in the original forum. Because that sort of rewards incorrect posting (by essentially leaving the message in two forums), I prefer to delete them.

[Anonymous]

OP here - understandable!

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes people post in General, because it is more likely that people have gone through a certain experience. I posted about a miscarriage in General, because I figured that it is a general topic and expectant moms (by their very definition) may not have gone through this. I did not find the cytotec question so offensive. Mice was a little off topic (unless the mice bit your child).

I think some posters need to chill out a little bit. This is supposed to be fun!

[Anonymous]

I posted in General Parenting about possibly delivering early and what that might mean. I was scolded, and told to post in Expectant Moms. Thankfully someone stood up for me. How can an expectant mother answer a question about delivering a baby early and then caring for it? That by definition seems like parenting to me.

I did feel bad when someone told me I was posting in the wrong place, but I got great feedback and support, which was just what I needed and what I think this board is about.

[Anonymous]

Ditto with the cytotec post. Many expectant haven't given birth before. And I don't think it's off topic. I think it belongs where it is, because it's related to parenting.

[Anonymous]

The expected mom forum is perfect for all the PPs topics - you wouldn't post a message about doulas or 3rd trimester feelings- which are indeed pregnancy questions (just like delivering early or the cytotec posts) in the Gen. Parenting section.

I can see the gray lines and how the Gen. Parenting forum is a greater umbrella than the Expect. Mom (because the folks on the Gen. Parenting forums USED to be an expected mom so no surprise you get a response)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The expected mom forum is perfect for all the PPs topics - you wouldn't post a message about doulas or 3rd trimester feelings- which are indeed pregnancy questions (just like delivering early or the cytotec posts) in the Gen. Parenting section.

I can see the gray lines and how the Gen. Parenting forum is a greater umbrella than the Expect. Mom (because the folks on the Gen. Parenting forums USED to be an expected mom so no surprise you get a response)

Caring for a preemie (14:41) is not a pregnancy question. And cytotec is a question about delivery a baby, not expecting one. I was not the OP for either, but your "you wouldn't post" such a message is clearly not accurate since they were posted and many people seem to disagree with you that they were inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted in General Parenting about possibly delivering early and what that might mean. I was scolded, and told to post in Expectant Moms. Thankfully someone stood up for me. How can an expectant mother answer a question about delivering a baby early and then caring for it? That by definition seems like parenting to me.

I did feel bad when someone told me I was posting in the wrong place, but I got great feedback and support, which was just what I needed and what I think this board is about.

I thought the "forum" related to subject matter not people who post there. So, "expectant moms" is about all things related to pregnant and delivery. It does not mean only pregnant people post in that forum. In fact, if you look at the threads in Expectatnt Moms, it's quite clear that many people who post there have already had children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted in General Parenting about possibly delivering early and what that might mean. I was scolded, and told to post in Expectant Moms. Thankfully someone stood up for me. How can an expectant mother answer a question about delivering a baby early and then caring for it? That by definition seems like parenting to me.

I did feel bad when someone told me I was posting in the wrong place, but I got great feedback and support, which was just what I needed and what I think this board is about.

I thought the "forum" related to subject matter not people who post there. So, "expectant moms" is about all things related to pregnant and delivery. It does not mean only pregnant people post in that forum. In fact, if you look at the threads in Expectatnt Moms, it's quite clear that many people who post there have already had children.

In this instance the subject matter related to caring for a preemie AFTER pregnancy and delivery. So yes, some women in the Expectant Moms could respond, but I thought it seemed more appropriate in the other forum

[Anonymous]

I know we have tons of forums already and Jeff is trying to manage which ones to put- but i wonder sometimes if there should be a "new mom" forum- just because some questions re. strollers or diaper rash are more for a first time mom.. these are just general areas i brought up- if you look at the general there are quite a few newbie moms one- i personally am not a super newbie - but i go to ttc and expectant moms to help reassure though i am neither of those- i'm sure i am not alone- i would imagine a new (first time) mom forum would get the same lookers... just a thought..