Stapleton Moms are talking about...
The Stapleton Moms Yahoo! group is talking about how the list has turned into Craigslist - WTB, FS, Free stuff, etc. I myself have taken that dig at the list -- but really, when your kid uses a bouncy chair for only a few months, that list is a great place to pass it along.
And to clarify, the Stapleton Moms Yahoo! group is an email listserv started in 2006 by a Stapleton mom. There are nearly 2000 people on the list. You can join the group and receive around 75 email messages per day. I have nothing to do with that list.
But now some folks are complaining that the list wasn't intended for people to market their personal businesses -- life coaching, catering, Silpada, massage, and the wonderful array of entrepreneurs we have in Stapleton.
Really?
What was the list intended for, then? Is it solely to get advice on potty training or getting your kid to eat vegetables? Or is it to support our community of moms in all aspects of life, not just child-rearing? For some moms, that most definitely includes entrepreneurial ventures and finding ways to get themselves back into the working world.
Personally, I would rather support my neighbor's business than a chain, or use a service provider that comes with a good recommendation from one of my neighbors. In fact, it's one of the reasons I started this blog.
On the other hand, there are some local businesses who would be happy if their name was never mentioned on the list, because there are some who would not hesitate to publicly trash a local business (like the incidents with Perk & Play), or out their neighbor's allegedly closeted husband, and even this week, publicly trashing a teenage babysitter. Twice.
Some folks point out that the Yahoo! list is, in fact, for communicating both bad and good experiences, even if it's directed at a teenager. Who is most likely someone on the list's daughter.
Personally, I want this blog (and this is a blog, the Yahoo group is not. I know. Semantics.) to focus on the positive, not the negative. It's hard to always remain in that space -- just yesterday, I tweeted about a bad experience with TicketHorse. I feel bad about it. (The Colorado Mammoth fixed it, bless them).
Do you use the Yahoo group? What do you use it for? What do you like/dislike about it?
Posts
That "vent" about the teenager was above and beyond. Completely inappropriate and irresponsible!
I like it best to pass along information about our neighborhood. Tips on where to go, services rendered, etc. are good. I wouldn't outlaw negative advertising per se, but really wish people would think through what they are doing.
We have the same issues with the Yahoo board for the Bradburn neighborhood. It's a great tool and a wonderful way to communicate (especially about neighborhood events) but we've occasionally had people post nasty and/or stupid things that have gotten the neighborhood all in an uproar.
I think part of the problem is the perceived anonymity of the internet and the fact that posts lack such things as tone of voice, facial expressions etc.. It's real easy to piss someone off with text LOL. You would think everyone knowing where you live would prevent people from saying stupid crap but alas, no, that sometimes is not the case with our neighborhood internet board!
On the other hand, when people do post stupid crap and it devolves from there (we've had discussions where socialism, Hitler, and the KKK have been invoked just to give you an idea), people have told me they find it highly entertaining and I have to admit, sometimes it is.
I sure would want to know about a babysitter who wasn't up to par, teenager or not. I mean, seriously, aren't your kids worth only the BEST? I appreciate knowing who isn't reliable so I don't make the same mistake.
I have gotten good recommendations and bad on the Stapleton Moms group. It kinda loses its value if people can only talk about their good experiences.
I think the Yahoo group can get a little annoying but it's also basically self-moderated. If someone does step over the line, more rational minds tend to step in and correct the situation. I choose my words very carefully whenever posting and personally love the "marketplace" aspect. I just got a like new bassinet for my baby on the way for $10 AND found a wonderful expectant family to share a nanny with this fall. And I thought the vent about the no show teenager could have been handled more delicately. It's not like she spanked/starved someone's kid.