Stages of DCUM:

Living off mom and dad.

Independent (mom and dad still pay the bills).

First real job. 90K. Poor, but not poverty.

Married. Struggling to afford house. HHI, 250K.

Kids in high school. Souse and I GS-15s. HHI from salary alone, 340K. Solidly niddle class.

Came for the nanny/childcare forums, stayed for Off-Topic, Relationships, Family, parenting, Fashion & Beauty, Diet & Exercise... I've only been posting on here for about 9 months and intend to stop the day I'm vaccinated. I've learned a lot on here but I think it's breaking my brain.

I think one leisurely afternoon working in a coffee shop where I can people watch and eavesdrop will cure me.

I started in Va Schools and quickly found Recent Topics which is where I always start and just click on anything interesting no matter what the category.

Occasionally I venture over to Politics just to see what other people are thinking and saying because I rarely discuss politics with anyone I actually care about.

Pretty much the same path but still in DC and DCPS board. Got sucked into the political board, such a mistake. It’s a very hard habit to break. Also love the fashion and style board. Never in the relationship board.

I was looking into preschools when I started using DCUM. She’s in college now, and I’m still here.

Funny, me too OP. I live in the DC area, but only found this site because of researching TTC. Over the years I moved to real estate while buying a home and home improvement as I now plan to renovate said home.

I’m also starting to transition from the infant/preschooler forum to the general parenting one.

I dabble in career and money, but it makes me feel like I’m not successful enough (even though I’m an attorney and DH and I make decent money). It is just overwhelming how much wealth there is in this area and how people will rip to shreds any career they don’t think is prestigious enough ... like they seriously debate the merits of various federal agencies.

Because of COVID I have also been reading in Health. I like off topic too.

I’ve looked in politics and the relationship forum, but they’re just not for me.

Dabble a toe. Not that I mind the DCUM GP at all, they’ve helped improve my writing too! Unexpected bonus.

Love it.

Ha!! I found DCUM in 2011 when googling about a horrible marriage. Then I found it again postpartum. I’ll never forget the thread title “I lost all my baby weight and feel great!”. The dcum snark was brutal to Op. innocent me, I said why are you saying this? Someone was like because Pp is just rubbing it in our face. I lurked a while. Was afraid to leave expecting moms to the real shark infested waters of parenting. No way was I going to dabble a tow in politics. It was cabbage lady that brought me out of the shadows when I sought relief for engorgement during breast feeding. Oh, and all the stroller reviews.

I found DCUM when early pregnant with #1. She’s heading to high school in the fall. 14+ years!

I regret the day my neighbor told me about DCUM! Addictive !

Same! I started reading this when I was expecting - before there were even all the various forum categories - and now I frequent the College forum! I will say this website has been invaluable over the years. Sometimes exhausting and makes me lose faith in humanity, but overall has provided so much information and input. Thanks to Jeff!

I found DCUM when DD was in the second grade and we were trying to understand FCPS AAP/GT. I got past that, into a health crisis, past that, though middle school, high school, college application, and college. I have need carrier growth, relationships maturing, and finally another health crisis which is on going. I have talked about all of it on here.

Jeff could make a lot of money off of blackmail, I bet.

At least you’re alive

Just hit me that I've been on DCUM for far too many years. I dont even live in the DC area anymore.

Started in the Parenting and daycare/childcare section when I first had my kids. Also spent a lot of time in the Relationship section as parenting did a whopper on us.

Then started spending time in the the Real Estate and Home Improvement section. Bought/sold and renovated during these years.

Then lots of time in the schools section (dc public charter) until we left the DC area.

Now I spend more time in the and Career section, as well as Health (thank you covid), as well as Off Topic. I hate the money forum because it makes me feel poor.

Pretty soon it will be the over 50 section.