Question for long term forum users

[Judy Trickett]

Yes, I agree that forums can be time-suckers. But I also think they are a tremendous resource. Where else can you get an instant, situation-specific answer from experienced professionals in a matter of minutes? In any other profession that level of free coaching would cost you thousands of dollars. Most dcproviders are very non-egotistical people and therefore do not see each other as competition and freely share ideas, solutions and advice. I think you would be hard-pressed to find any other profession that shares as freely with it's "competition".

I also believe that forums save children's lives. I really do. I have personally talked many a provider off the ledge and brought them out of levels of frustration that could have potentially caused harm to both the children in their care and/or themselves. And these were normal, caring, reasonable people who were just pushed too far that particular day. They are/were not monsters or "unfit". They are just people with emotions and feelings, and frustrations like anyone else, who, unlike any other profession, have no where, except an internet forum, to get the support they needed. And, sadly, they had to do it with a level of anonymity because, in this profession, there exists a double-standard and people judge.

Forums save children's lives, the sanity of providers, the employment of many a provider as well as all the positive, good things like ideas and activities and crafts.

I don't begrudge any provider for having daily internet time. I am going to bet that if you could go and speak with providers who have committed atrocious crimes against children you would find they were isolated and had no one to talk to. They were likely walked all over by parents, and felt they were just an "employee". THOSE are the providers who find themselves in irreversible situations.

Forums are the best thing that ever happened to the daycare profession.