Mod intervention

[Cofa's Tree]

I'm one of them daily lurkers and occasional posters on here, and from what I can see, the forum has kind of grown organically and all its 'rules' of behaviour likewise i.e. acceptance of a wide variety of parenting styles.

I'm from a pre-computers world, then headed into dial-up modems before my head nearly exploded at the concept of wireless connectivity, and I've been on a lot of forums in my time (including when the Derren Brown forum was closed for good after in-fighting and one avid poster hitting him on the head with an inflatable penis...but that's another story). Without doubt, this has been one of lightest-handled forums in terms of mod intervention, partly because in the short time I've been here, it's rare that it's been needed as far as I can see. That makes it pretty unique. It would be a real shame for that uniqueness to be lost based upon one or two decisions taken in the moment with the best of intentions.

I can't see any real need for change - perhaps the result of all this is a timely reminder that everyone should feel able to speak up in a thread if we feel under attack or if we feel another poster is coming under attack, and then nine times out of ten, it might save a mod having to take action, maybe other than posting a more official 'calm it down guys' message if it's continuing. I'm not sure the thread in question needed intervention because it looks like life had moved on (although I appreciate if it had been reported then mod response was needed in some way), but as long as posts and moderator decisions can be robustly defended, then I do think openness to question those posts and decisions should continue to be encouraged.

[gingerbreadhouse]

[3KiwiChicks]

Sorry that things have taken a turn for the worst during 'witching hour' and bedtime around here. Hugs for those who need it. ^^CT is wise and totally agree with what she has said.

Big, huge, ginormous hugs for everyone involved. We are all friends who come from very different backgrounds and from places all over the world. Sometimes its inevitable that words or ideas are going to clash. It is made all the more hurtful as we DO all care about each other and so it really feels like a bestie that we are having a fight with, which hurts. I hope that we can move on from here with very little change, but a timely reminder that there are people on the other end of the computer screen. People that we care about and respect.

(((((BLWing Forumites)))))

[VanillaPickle]

[TravellingMum]

Well...that is a thread to read through!

Hugs for everyone, and how about generous portions of Chinese takeaway for everyone, to go with the malteaser fridge cake?

[ches]

Well, Lin, you will always be Queen of the LED Lights, Defender of Unrenovated Cooking Quarters and the Twirliest of Twirling Namechangers. You have worked thanklessly and seamlessly for this forum for <denial> five minutes, so if you feel it's time to pass the baton, nobody can blame you. But maybe you coukd give us a final <twirl> before you go? (Just DO NOT rename yourself The Iron Mummy or something mmkay.)

[Jelly Belly]

[ToothFairy]

[Laura Tyewa]

Modding is really hard, and on a forum like this where everyone is so close knit it can sometimes be even harder to know exactly where to draw the line. ((hugs)) to all.

[PicNic]

I haven't been part of this thread because I haven't known how I could contribute but I want to add my thoughts now because even though you are *only* a shiny green name on the page to me Lin, I really feel sad that you feel this way because I have so much respect for the way you and the other mods look after our wonderful forum. We all make decisions based on the information we have at the time and our judgement based on that. Sometimes hindsight makes us think that we made the wrong decision, sometimes other people make us feel that way, but when it comes down to it, you did what you thought was right, you did your job, you tried to protect us. Thank you.

[BLTMama]

[Stormwind]

I haven't a clue as to what's happened. I haven't read the offending thread as it's already been deleted, but I'm sad to hear that Lin's stepping down. Of all the members, Lin's posts are often the ones that hold weight. Lin's advice is spot on. I hope stepping away from modding doesn't mean stepping away from the forum. Xx

Lin rocks!

[peasmummy]