Serious Question about the Nanny Forum

[Anonymous]

Jeff, just out of curiousity, have you ever considered dismantling the Nanny Forum? For numerous reasons of which I know you are aware, it hardly seems viable anymore. Thoughts?

[jsteele]

I'm actually thinking about splitting off the Nanny Forum into it's own site with sub forums for various topics and different parts of the country.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, or are you joking?

[Anonymous]

Agree. It gives no valuable info and is populated by nannies trying to boost market rates and trolls.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, or are you joking?

No, I'm serious. A huge number of the nanny forum users aren't from this area. I should try to make things more useful for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, just out of curiousity, have you ever considered dismantling the Nanny Forum? For numerous reasons of which I know you are aware, it hardly seems viable anymore. Thoughts?

I would never presume to speak for Jeff, but I feel compelled to point out that DCUM is not a public service. It's Jeff's livelihood. He puts a lot of effort into maintaining the quality and integrity of the site, but he has a right to maximize his profits too. Why would he take down a board that gets so much traffic? I agree the nanny board is silly and I rarely read it, but obviously a lot of people enjoy it. Why should your and my opinion outweigh that? You do know you don't have to click on it, right?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I'm actually thinking about splitting off the Nanny Forum into it's own site with sub forums for various topics and different parts of the country.

Please do.

I'm a nanny and love the idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, just out of curiousity, have you ever considered dismantling the Nanny Forum? For numerous reasons of which I know you are aware, it hardly seems viable anymore. Thoughts?

I would never presume to speak for Jeff, but I feel compelled to point out that DCUM is not a public service. It's Jeff's livelihood. He puts a lot of effort into maintaining the quality and integrity of the site, but he has a right to maximize his profits too. Why would he take down a board that gets so much traffic? I agree the nanny board is silly and I rarely read it, but obviously a lot of people enjoy it. Why should your and my opinion outweigh that? You do know you don't have to click on it, right?

OP here and let me respectfully submit that if Jeff chooses to keep the Nanny Forum alive because it helps with his livelihood, he can state that himself. So in a sense, you are speaking for him when he is perfectly capable of doing so himself. Secondly, maybe you didn't read my first post but I didn't say Jeff should shut down the Nanny Forum, I was just curious if he had ever considered doing so for what are obvious reasons. Thirdly, you're right. I don't have to click on it. But if a website forum existed that continually made your profession look terrible I think it would be fair for you to not only be aware of it but to have an opinion about it. See, PP, that's the thing about opinions-everybody has one. Some are different from yours.

[Anonymous]

PS-on a related note,Jeff, thanks for deleting the Nanny Eats Poop thread. A drop in the bucket but a step in the right direction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I'm actually thinking about splitting off the Nanny Forum into it's own site with sub forums for various topics and different parts of the country.

Please do.

I'm a nanny and love the idea.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, just out of curiousity, have you ever considered dismantling the Nanny Forum? For numerous reasons of which I know you are aware, it hardly seems viable anymore. Thoughts?

Here's my thought - if you don't like the Nanny Forum, don't read it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Jeff, just out of curiousity, have you ever considered dismantling the Nanny Forum? For numerous reasons of which I know you are aware, it hardly seems viable anymore. Thoughts?

Here's my thought - if you don't like the Nanny Forum, don't read it.

Here's another thought-try reading ALL the posts on a thread before replying.

[jsteele]

Okay, now I have set this up:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/nanny-forum/

[Anonymous]

I think you should move all the nanny-related discussion and job postings to the other forum. It would give it more traffic and keep everything nanny world related in the same area. DC Moms would hopefully be welcome to go over there for insight and discussion on nanny-related issues. Maybe have an au pair section?? I'm not sure I like the current regional set-up as a mom - I agree that many nanny issues are universal. Thanks!

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:I think you should move all the nanny-related discussion and job postings to the other forum. It would give it more traffic and keep everything nanny world related in the same area. DC Moms would hopefully be welcome to go over there for insight and discussion on nanny-related issues. Maybe have an au pair section?? I'm not sure I like the current regional set-up as a mom - I agree that many nanny issues are universal. Thanks!

The regional forums were just a starting point. They don't have to stay. It was the best my unimaginative self could come up with. I'm going to give the new forums a couple of weeks t shake out. If things seem to be going well, I will definitely move the nanny search and nanny position search forums. I'll also move the housekeeper forums. That will allow me to create new forums here. The topics I have in mind are "Personal Finances", "Jobs and Careers", and "Sports and Hobbies". I'm also taking suggestions.

I'm unsure if I'll move the current nanny discussion forum. I'm still considering the pros and cons of that. I like you suggestion of an au pair forum and will create on on the new forum site right now.