What to do about it being soooo BORING?!

[jentilla]

I used to check in here all the time and still do somewhat and there was always something going on. Now it's the deadzone and I know people are complaining about, but what can we do? No one is buying anything or talking about diapers or anything.

IT'S ALL TOO SEGREGATED! UGH! Can't we all be together? I wish EVERYTHING that had to do with diapering would be in ONE SECTION.

-ALL Q & A AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
-DIAPER MAKING
-the TP EVEN!

Just my 2 cents, but SOMETHING has to be done!

[Lilangels]

I have to agree. It must be me since I lurked for so long before actually joining in and then when I did it all died out. :( Where have all the mommies gone!

[sophiamama]

It has been really dead here lately. Miss all the chatter!

Meghann

[HeartsOpenWide]

The threads have been a little bit boring latley...I pop in every once in awhile and then usually pop right back out. Other than the thread about victoria secretes having a nursing bra, your thread is the only one that has caught my attention in months....

[Lilangels]

What ! Victoria's Secret has a nursing bra! How did I miss that one!

[nohomama]

Yep. It sure would be nice if everything was put back the way it was. I remembering the refrain that the moderators often made about how Diapering was one of the busiest boards on MDC. If that's still true then MDC is tanking. Put Diapering back together again!!!

[ChattyCat]

I've really stopped posting as much in diapering. It just doesn't seem as much fun anymore. Before when it was all together, there was tons of stuff to ogle and drool over. And, then the next thread would be a question, and I'd try to help someone out. Now I hardly ever post to help people, and I feel kind of bad, but it's so dull now. Pretty much, I'm just stalking the tp, which even seems slow and posting over in the pg forums. I hope that it picks up again! :)

[ChattyCat]

And, where has everyone run off to? I haven't "seen" a whole lot of people lately. We can't all have gone into lurkdom. Is there another board somewhere that everyone's at?

[QueenSheba'sMom]

And, where has everyone run off to? I haven't "seen" a whole lot of people lately. We can't all have gone into lurkdom. Is there another board somewhere that everyone's at?

:lurk:

[Lilangels]

:lurk:
Wondering this myself

[punko5]

I pretty much just started posting here and well... it can be a snore. but You all have the nicest stashes... and buy the COOLEST things.. so that keeps me checking!

[MissSugarKane]

We need the board back the way it was. Come on mods lets end the segregation and get the party started in here!!! :banana

[QueenSheba'sMom]

We need the board back the way it was. Come on mods lets end the segregation and get the party started in here!!! :banana

now you have that song (not sure how I even know it in the first place) stuck in my head!

:flipped

[amysuen]

Wondering this myself

Me too. Come on mamas, let's start posting and see if we can get this place rockin' again! :jammin

[minicooper]

Let's get it started... Let's get it started in here...

lmao

I think that's the Black Eyed Peas

:)

[spatulagirl]

Well, I just moved from Sicily to the US so I have been busy with that... but I have also moved elsewhere. I gave the board change a try and I don't like it.

[Oceanone]

Congrats on the move Kate! And we miss you! :love

I love, love, love MDC. I like the Family BEd, TAO and TV, media, news, nutrition and the childhood/parenting forums etc. But the diapering forum is not up to it anymore. It used to be my home but now it's not very welcoming at all. I got the message, I can't be the only one.

I, too am posting more diapering chat elsewhere. It's nice to have a place to post where diapering chat of all kinds is welcomed and accepted and celebrated in all it's forms. And where people don't pop in now and then from elsewhere to chide or berate you. They are only diapers after all and it should be about function and laundering yes, but also fun and comraderie!

So, your question, what to do about it? These things are usually cyclical (especially in diapering, because potty learning comes up so fast) and it will probably pick up as new people come in. A quicker fix would be to loosen up the diapering forum again and be a little more laid back about things, make everyone feel welcome and less divided.

[didelphus]

And I haven't heard any mod feedback on this. Surely they're noticing, huh? This isn't the first message bout this sort of thing. Perhaps mods are just in conference on it?

[Just*Lindsay]

Yes, this is really sad. It is hurting the members, hurting the wahms and so in reality really hurting MDC. How sad! I used to LOVE this place despite the rules, and now there is nothing to love since there are NO mamas posting! Sigh!

[spatulagirl]

Congrats on the move Kate! And we miss you! :love

I love, love, love MDC. I like the Family BEd, TAO and TV, media, news, nutrition and the childhood/parenting forums etc. But the diapering forum is not up to it anymore. It used to be my home but now it's not very welcoming at all. I got the message, I can't be the only one.

I, too am posting more diapering chat elsewhere. It's nice to have a place to post where diapering chat of all kinds is welcomed and accepted and celebrated in all it's forms. And where people don't pop in now and then from elsewhere to chide or berate you. They are only diapers after all and it should be about function and laundering yes, but also fun and comraderie!



Thanks! I plan on being around more cuz I do adore MDC but diapering isn't as welcoming. I think I got the hint :LOL

[mothergooseofthree]

Yep, I remember the nights when the kids would go to bed and I would be on Diapering for a couple of hours. It was hopping...you could hardly finish your post before someone responded. And, the tp used to thrive.....now I post stuff on there and it never sells. Stuff actually does better on ebay.

[jessicaSAR]

I have to agree. I think this is my first post in diapering for over a month. I was never really a hyena, but I enjoyed all the excitement and mostly the general chat threads. I still love MDC, but spend most of my time in "Learning at Home" and "Vaccinations."

Oh, and I used to laugh at all the "what's up with the TP" threads. I never had any problem selling on the TP. But now it's ridiculous. I have a lot of great little aios with absolutely nothing wrong with them that I posted for really cheap thinking I would help out someone just getting started. Well I have been bumping the post for days and not even a hint of interest. I'm not sure I could even give things away on the TP these days. :scratch

I think they should put the whole thing back together again!!!!!! It's not humpty dumpty. It can be fixed.

[apmama]

Yep. It's pathetic. And diapering will never be the same.

[reiterin]

Yep, it's gotten boring. I used to check here daily to read posts, but now... not much to read.

[LeosMama]

Does anyone know why the TP is dead??!!

I DO I DO!

It's because you don't let newbies on. When I started with MDC I was so psyched when I heard about the TP. Then I was confused, why can't I find it.
When I discovered that newbies are restricted, I went back to eBay to buy dipes. And then I had time to hang out more at diaper making and now I'm not going to be buying anything at the TP, I'm making my own.

Gee, is my story unique? I doubt it.

I never saw the old format, but from what everyone else is saying, it made more sense. I don't like having to check all of these other boards, I want to just have one open that I look at every half hour or so.

Open the Trading Post, and merge all the diapering boards back together.
(Oh, and can anyone say "longies are diapers not just clothes...don't be so anal about context?" I can.)

-Lindsay

[Leilalu]

I lurk occasioanlly now.. I guess I never *really* felt a part.... I dunno. It is slooooooow lately. I can't always type either because of nak, or putting babies to sleep. Whenever I go on the computer, I have two little ones crawling on me!:LOL

I would love to be more un-segregated though. I somewhow knew this would happen... ughhh

I would love to talk diapers:)

[Leilalu]

Does anyone know why the TP is dead??!!

I DO I DO!

It's because you don't let newbies on. When I started with MDC I was so psyched when I heard about the TP. Then I was confused, why can't I find it.
When I discovered that newbies are restricted, I went back to eBay to buy dipes. And then I had time to hang out more at diaper making and now I'm not going to be buying anything at the TP, I'm making my own.

Gee, is my story unique? I doubt it.

I never saw the old format, but from what everyone else is saying, it made more sense. I don't like having to check all of these other boards, I want to just have one open that I look at every half hour or so.

Open the Trading Post, and merge all the diapering boards back together.
(Oh, and can anyone say "longies are diapers not just clothes...don't be so anal about context?" I can.)

-Lindsay
I can understand the TP thing though, because I have been ripped off more than once. If there are no restrictions, anyone can come on, get your trust, and take your money. Real members hopefully wouldn't do that, at least, to anybody else but me(it's happened)

[mom2jerry]

I had been on vacation for a month and then came back to find that the board is SO slow. What are the other diapering boards you folks go to? I used to lurk the SheKnows board but that one is completely dead now. It's just so unusual.
I like the old TP better where new people can buy but not sell. That may move things faster.

[MissSugarKane]

I have to agree. I think this is my first post in diapering for over a month. I was never really a hyena, but I enjoyed all the excitement and mostly the general chat threads. I still love MDC, but spend most of my time in "Learning at Home" and "Vaccinations."



Hi Jessica :wave Seeing you post makes me all teary eyed. I miss the good old diapering days *sniff*

[jessicaSAR]

Hi Jessica :wave Seeing you post makes me all teary eyed. I miss the good old diapering days *sniff*

:wave

Jamie, good to see your store is open again. Those OC shirts are adorable. The paintings are awesome!!!!

[MissSugarKane]

:wave

Jamie, good to see your store is open again. Those OC shirts are adorable. The paintings are awesome!!!!

Thanks mama :throb

[westernmamomma]

Does anyone know why the TP is dead??!!

I DO I DO!

It's because you don't let newbies on. When I started with MDC I was so psyched when I heard about the TP. Then I was confused, why can't I find it.
When I discovered that newbies are restricted, I went back to eBay to buy dipes. And then I had time to hang out more at diaper making and now I'm not going to be buying anything at the TP, I'm making my own.

Gee, is my story unique? I doubt it.

I never saw the old format, but from what everyone else is saying, it made more sense. I don't like having to check all of these other boards, I want to just have one open that I look at every half hour or so.

Open the Trading Post, and merge all the diapering boards back together.
(Oh, and can anyone say "longies are diapers not just clothes...don't be so anal about context?" I can.)

-Lindsay

I've been waiting, and waiting, and waiting to be able to get on tthe TP, have enough posts, but can't figure out when I'm going to be "let on". I was a little disappointed in having to wait so long too. Maybe 30 days is enough?

[apmama]

I agree that when they changed the tp rules the sales went waaaaay down. And the only times I've been burned on the tp, it was by LONG TIME members of this board that then disappeared. If we had a voice, which we clearly don't, I'd certainly vote to let newbies buy from the tp.

[anamama]

I have been trying to stay interested in the diapering boards, but it was so much easier when everything was all together. Now sometimes I post just so somebody is posting, ya know? :innocent

[imgr8ful]

uhh *cough cough* put it back the way it was???

and i 2nd or 3rd letting newbies buy on the tp too :thumb

[sophiamama]

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that the people who are USING the board apparently have no say in how its working?

[grnmtnmama]

yeah, the change in diapering format seems to have killed this board. i look around and see if i can contribute, but it's just not working out.

the change in tp rules seems to have killed the tp. i'd rather take the risk of a bad transaction than have no transactions at all.

i still come to mdc, but now it's mostly to hang out with the running mamas.

[Momto2boysNagirl]

I've been posting on another diapering board. I hate all the segregation and the constant moving of posts here. Having to worry about where my post belong is just not how I want to spend my online time.

[Ok]

The TP was slow before the newbie rule was strengthened. New posters were never allowed to post and theoretically weren't supposed to buy/sell-- although we all know that happened via PMs. The "new posters can't even see the TP" scenario came later. I don't think thats what slowed the TP, although I do think it may've been the final bell.

As for the board, it was already slowing down before the last few "heated engagements" which led to the separation of topics. The idea was to help new posters or folks visiting the diaper board from feeling so overwhelmed when they ran into the speed and depth of the diapering world. Mamas and Mamas-to-be would come to diapering from birth clubs (or wherever on MDC) and be overwhelmed. Heck, the front page might've only had the last hour on it and anything older would be on a 2nd page. Yowser. 70+ people might be on at any given time.

Diapering was its own sisterhood. Some people preferred to play in a smaller neighborhood. Some left in those busy older days, worried no one cared about their posts. Some stayed and learned the culture and ran with the crowd.

There was a natural evolution already taking place re: downsizing hyena stashes, hyena Mamas moving on with their PL children, hyena Mamas re-discovering the beauty of PFs, or other simple diapers. The board was already slowing down as attrition of older babes was more than joiners w/ younger babes.

But we still had a core. Our core group that must've really made someone mad. Who answered the same new poster kind of questions...time after time? The Mamas in the core. (the core btw changed over time to a large extent, but there was still always a core group at any given time).

I paid attention to some of the bash-the-diaper-board threads. The anger of some folks against my friends here was too much for me at times and I had to essentially stay uninvolved.

All this babbling to say:
1. there was a natural evolution for many back to a primarily basic set-up
2. the TP was slowing long before the actual rule hiding the board
3. I certainly felt most of the anti-diaper-consumerism feelings were from folks who were not a part of the diapering community and haven't been around helping out new posters now that its been split
4. The board should be put back together b/c the split makes no real sense: not economically, not psychologically or intellectually (are diapers *that* big of a topic?)
5. the diaper board was an excellent way to recruit for MDC, for many Mamas came to learn about CDs and ended up staying and learning more about AP and NFL
6. MDC wants to sell banner ads, and many are from (or were from) Diaper-Making-Stuff WAHMs...who are part of an ever complicated market, but one that MDCs definitely doesn't seem to be supporting (since the split effectively relegates buying new, WAHM-level products as "show-off" category... instead of simply beautiful variations of the norm)



If you've gotten this far, maybe I should just ask for the link to whereever the fun is still going on.

Peace to all who love babies, children and families :love (and a special :heartbeat to my CD loving friends)

Virgster

[sophiamama]

All this babbling to say:
1. there was a natural evolution for many back to a primarily basic set-up
2. the TP was slowing long before the actual rule hiding the board
3. I certainly felt most of the anti-diaper-consumerism feelings were from folks who were not a part of the diapering community and haven't been around helping out new posters now that its been split
4. The board should be put back together b/c the split makes no real sense: not economically, not psychologically or intellectually (are diapers *that* big of a topic?)
5. the diaper board was an excellent way to recruit for MDC, for many Mamas came to learn about CDs and ended up staying and learning more about AP and NFL
6. MDC wants to sell banner ads, and many are from (or were from) Diaper-Making-Stuff WAHMs...who are part of an ever complicated market, but one that MDCs definitely doesn't seem to be supporting (since the split effectively relegates buying new, WAHM-level products as "show-off" category... instead of simply beautiful variations of the norm)


:yeah:

[Sophiasmomma]

the change in tp rules seems to have killed the tp. i'd rather take the risk of a bad transaction than have no transactions at all.

I saw a HUGE decline in sales when they changed the rules. I used to see soo many newbies able to quickly build a stash or try new things for such a great FAIR price. Now it seems like if you arent practically giving it away dont bother listing, even hyena stuff :( sadly it has forced me from not buying any really expensive diapers or diapering items in fear that IF we try it and dont like it I will be stuck w/ it :nut

ANYWAY the CD board was such a quick moving board and by the time I used to come here it would be on pg 3 from that afternoon! sad how some changes arent always for the better

[westernmamomma]

I was looking forward to building my stash at the tp when I joined too, but I still haven't been able to get there! Especially with ds's diaper rash issue lately, I want to buy some pockets and would rather buy them here and support the mdc mamas, but need sometimes outweighs desire to support certain people.

[averymybaby]

Virg!!! :hug :hug :Kiss

[Hawkeyemama]

5. the diaper board was an excellent way to recruit for MDC, for many Mamas came to learn about CDs and ended up staying and learning more about AP and NFL

Yep, that's me- came to MDC when I was learning about CD and found the breastfeeding forums, which helped me through terrible supply problems and the family bed/nightime forum which helped me feel comfortable with bringing dd into our bed, etc....The forums here have helped me become a better parent.

[mom to 3 boys]

Yes, this is really sad. It is hurting the members, hurting the wahms and so in reality really hurting MDC. How sad! I used to LOVE this place despite the rules, and now there is nothing to love since there are NO mamas posting! Sigh!


:( sad but true :(

[Ok]

Virg!!! :hug :hug :Kiss

O wow, I missed that the preemie hulk had arrived! Hope all is well! ou, ou... a Baby!! Many congrats to Mama Julia and her family. :love :love :love :love (one for each of you :wink )

[mom to 3 boys]

I can understand the TP thing though, because I have been ripped off more than once. If there are no restrictions, anyone can come on, get your trust, and take your money. Real members hopefully wouldn't do that, at least, to anybody else but me(it's happened)


most newbies are there to BUY not sell. I know there are exceptions.. but buy with caution! Even established members have ripped people off.

[pixiedust]

I haven't been around the board in a few months but it was sooo busy when I was around buying diapers for my daughter. Now that I came back to buy diapers for this little one it's so slow. I didn't notice that they had split things up into categories till yesterday so that might be one reason. :)

[spatulagirl]

Well said Virg.

Julia, congrats on the new baby. It is nice to see you here :) :hug

[Butterflymom]

I personally think that since I'm off bedrest (when I hung around online all the time with my laptop all spring & summer) and have my handsfull with a newborn + 2-year-old-with-an-attitude and am hardly ever on MDC anymore, that's why the fun has ceased around here.




;) :LOL Just kidding! :laugh:

But seriously, the fun has ceased. :crying:

[ChattyCat]

I personally think that since I'm off bedrest (when I hung around online all the time with my laptop all spring & summer) and have my handsfull with a newborn + 2-year-old-with-an-attitude and am hardly ever on MDC anymore, that's why the fun has ceased around here.




;) :LOL Just kidding! :laugh:

But seriously, the fun has ceased. :crying:

I think you may be on to something! You always posted cute pics of the buggle and minibug, and were always chattering about fluff that arrived or customs or something. It kept everyone thinking about how much fun diapering can be!

OT- Kate, I think that "diaper whore extraordinaire" should be your senior member title! ;)

[amberb]

I personally think that since I'm off bedrest (when I hung around online all the time with my laptop all spring & summer) and have my handsfull with a newborn + 2-year-old-with-an-attitude and am hardly ever on MDC anymore, that's why the fun has ceased around here.

:LOL No, really, I think you may have a good point here! You created a lot of excitement. Maybe you should just start a whole bunch of threads, and then they'll take off!


I'm not kidding :down

[Spark]

:moon

Hoping some nudity will help. :wink

[ChattyCat]

:Hug Claire :Hug

Your absence has definitely made a difference! You always have the funniest things to say. I hope you're doing okay.

[canadiyank]

You know, I was talking with dh and was wondering why it wasn't so fun to diaper shop anymore...I honestly think a lot of it is it's a bigger risk to buy dipes now...before if they didn't work that well you could unload them on the TP and try some more. Now, like others have noted, it's hard to even get rid of hyena dipes! And I think this is being even more compounded by the lack of action around here - another plea to re-merge the forums and open the TP again...

[MissSugarKane]

I personally think that since I'm off bedrest (when I hung around online all the time with my laptop all spring & summer) and have my handsfull with a newborn + 2-year-old-with-an-attitude and am hardly ever on MDC anymore, that's why the fun has ceased around here.




;) :LOL Just kidding! :laugh:

But seriously, the fun has ceased. :crying:

Hmm I was thinking it was because I am on dial up most of the time now and it keeps me from posting as much as I used too. But your right, it probably is because you are not around Angelica :throb :laugh:

Okay this is the kind of stuff I miss

[amysuen]

ITA! I miss the way it was before too. :( I liked being able to go from questions to suggestions to show off pics to stocking announcements.

I also think that some of our more chatty mamas aren't posting as much. I'm not a core mama, but I used to post more a few months ago too. I don't have as much time as I used to...

Does anyone think that the recent hurricanes and everything affected the TP too? There's only so much money around.

[~Megan~]

I moved this to Questions and Suggestions so that Cynthia can see and address this thread as well as the Diapering moderators.

[spatulagirl]

OT- Kate, I think that "diaper whore extraordinaire" should be your senior member title! ;)

That is a very good idea!! :heartbeat

[westernmamomma]

It's funny, each time I read this thread, I check to see if today is the day that I get to be allowed into the trading post and ..... da da da dah! Today's the day! Watch out mama's here I come!

[sistermama]

Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that the people who are USING the board apparently have no say in how its working?


Careful mama, that kind of talk can get you in real trouble round these parts. :o

[PatchyMama]

I miss the diapering board too. Maybe this time they will hear our plea :bawl

[kalley]

I am new here kinda. Im a WAHM. I personally dont feel that you have to throw down $30.00 or more to have a functional or affordable diaper or cover.
My cloth diapering started due to the fact we couldnt buy the cheap paper diapers. My hubby was a full time employee and student and that still wasnt enough for our needs.
Our DD was about 9 months old and i went to a local "CD party" at a local AP group i go to. I was swimming in diapers a covers. All of the terms and washing methods were overwhelming and then i asked how much people were paying. OMG!!! I couldnt beleive it! We were struggling to diaper our child as it was. How was i going to cough up that amount of money to get a good functional stash going?!
So, i sat DH down and we figuered that in the end CD was better and COULD BE cheaper. We figuered on a weekly basis i had between $5 and $8 per diaper or cover. As alot of you know that doesnt get you much. I went to some well known sites and i knew instantly i couldnt even do testers. I really didnt know what to start with either.
I went to 3 auction houses and started there. I had to really hunt and bargain shop but i never went beyond that $8 limit. I got stiffed alot, had some pretty trashed cloth, but i was able to try a good majority of whats available now. One hurddle that almost stopped me from CDing was the fact my DD was a heavy wetter. I had no clue until i put the first CD on her. I had to search for diapers to accomidate my childs needs first, then in my price.
After i was able to get enough that i could CD fulltime and wash every day i started to come here to MDC to find some good deals. I was so overwhelmed by all of the terms, prices, and what was going on that i just left. It was really alot to a beginner so new to this.
My point is that what seems so normal to us may be something so foriegn to others who arent in this community everyday. Only after alot of late nights on the computer and asking tons of questions was i able to feel comfortable to the point of purchasing a CD buisness. My main goal now is to educate new moms and help them ease into the CD community. I LOVE to talk cloth!!! I also try very hard in my buisness to make it so moms on a budget could afford functional and cute diapers and covers. I also give a place for moms to turn thier old diapers into a profit for nicer "Hyena" diapers if they choose.
I know how hard it is to keep a CD buisness going. I know that sometimes these WAHMs are barely breaking even. I think this is a great service that you ladies are doing to talk about thier products and how much you love them. Lets not loose focus of what this board is intended for. Women can become very segrigated in large groups and mean things can happen. WHy does that have to happen here? It doesent! Lets give some WAHMs some buisness, and start talking about the products that we love.

[Treasuremapper]

I think people started feeling uncomfortable that they might post on the wrong board and be corrected, and that took some of the fun out of it, so what the heck, why post.

[Undercover Hippie]

Just one more person chiming in... I used to hang out on Diapering all the time, first asking questions and then answering them and looking at the pics of gorgeous fluff. I was always learning about new WAHMs and drooling over their sites. I really loved it. Sure, sometimes it was a little overwhelming there and sometimes it even made me feel bad, like I could never try all these things because we're so poor wah wah wah... but that was my issue, not anyone else's, and I never thought it needed to be separated.

I am sure Diapering will eventually take off again with a new group of people--as many have said, it is all cyclical. My diapering obsession was tapering off before the forum change but I always figured I'd be back if we were expecting again... now with all the changes and turn over, I'm not so sure. I haven't left MDC, just moved on to different topics. Maybe that's a natural progression and would have happened anyway, maybe it's because of the change in the forum. Probably both.

I will say, I would definitely go back to using the TP more if there were a way to pick things up there!

[Janechicago]

We were talking about Victoria's Secret not having nursing bras. :) A bunch of sites that sell pretty nursing bras were suggested, including ours www.Eve Alexander.com - a lot of our customers say that we are like Victoria's Secret for nursing women!

Best of luck!

Jane
[admin note: edited to remove business URL. Please read the signature rules and general User Agreement]