Parents Have you ever wondered

[Ali'sMom]

Mrs. Puma, If I had the funds I would LOVE to join you. My parents would have a heart attack knowing I was meeting friends I met on a chat board, but it would be sooooo much fun!

Almost 14 years ago, I was on a chat board regarding having trouble getting pregnant... to equate it to this, there were a ton of ladies in the main board. But then social groups were smaller.

At this point, we have a Facebook group of 22 of us. And we have had a few get togethers with as many 12 of us (rented a house, all staying together, etc). And we are from as north as NH, as west as AZ, South as Florida, and as east as France (she came for one of our gatherings!) and Italy.
Once you can deduce that someone isn't an ax murderer, it's amazing how you can become friends with someone you meet online!

 

[ShesAMonkey]

Almost 14 years ago, I was on a chat board regarding having trouble getting pregnant... to equate it to this, there were a ton of ladies in the main board. But then social groups were smaller.

At this point, we have a Facebook group of 22 of us. And we have had a few get togethers with as many 12 of us (rented a house, all staying together, etc). And we are from as north as NH, as west as AZ, South as Florida, and as east as France (she came for one of our gatherings!) and Italy.
Once you can deduce that someone isn't an ax murderer, it's amazing how you can become friends with someone you meet online!

I have had nearly the same experience. I was on a message board for expectant moms, and then we spun off into our own private board with our smaller group of moms who were all due in the same month. We have our FB group still, with 23 members still left after about 14 years! I have met a good number of those ladies through our travels. I consider some of them my best friends.

 

[cbifoja]

Same thing with me but a scrapbooking forum. Still friends with a group of about 10 women some of whom I feel closer to than my own SIL. We've met IRL several times and are even planning a get together this summer.

I tell people at the gym about CB all the time. I suspect there are several people from our gym on the board. I don't know who they are and no one has ever contacted me but I still assume some are on here. My DD is the only 11YO L8 at our gym (not that many in our whole state) so identifying me, or at least my DD, wouldn't that hard.

I don't think I care if someone knew who I was. I try to be fair about my situation, warts and all, and accepting my own flaws in this journey. I don't pretend that my DD is some wunderkid and acknowledge her shortcomings as an athlete while beaming with pride as her mom. I try to be fair when I talk about coaches and remember that I am approaching situations from a mom POV and that may be at odds with a coach's POV. Although I do think I might be a little embarrassed because sometimes I could be considered gossipy about other parents by sharing experiences/conversations from our gym.

 

[kitkat]

I always post thinking that if the switch was turned on tomorrow and my name is shown I would be able to stand up for every post.
I am comfortable with all my posts and have nothing to hide.
I think it was my first week on and my best friend identified me

 

[bogwoppit]

Mrs. Puma, If I had the funds I would LOVE to join you. My parents would have a heart attack knowing I was meeting friends I met on a chat board, but it would be sooooo much fun!

I have met quite a few CB'ers over the years. I went to worlds with 6 of them from all over the place.

But I generally keep my real self off the CB these days. People know where I am from generally though. Rare that people I know locally, from gyms, to join here as things are very French in Quebec.

 

[Canadian_gym_mom]

I have had nearly the same experience. I was on a message board for expectant moms, and then we spun off into our own private board with our smaller group of moms who were all due in the same month. We have our FB group still, with 23 members still left after about 14 years! I have met a good number of those ladies through our travels. I consider some of them my best friends.

Oh my gosh i have the exact same situation, but its been 13 years! Did you start on parents place? We did!

 

[ShesAMonkey]

Oh my gosh i have the exact same situation, but its been 13 years! Did you start on parents place? We did!

No, we were on a message board community called The Labor of Love. It shut down when the kids were still babies (maybe toddlers) so we started our own private board at that time. The kids are all turning 14 this winter. Crazy!!!

 

[mommyof1]

At one point I was pretty sure I had identified someone from the CB, but then I figured out that I was wrong. What really worries me is the thought that my own child might someday find this site and figure out that I was here.

 

[GymmieC]

I don't really care. I don't say anything I wouldn't say in real life.

Yep. So true. Talk to some outside of here because we first talked on here. All can be good as long as everyone is truthful. That has been my goal and my experience.

 

[MILgymFAM]

At one point I was pretty sure I had identified someone from the CB, but then I figured out that I was wrong. What really worries me is the thought that my own child might someday find this site and figure out that I was here.

This is me. I don't care if other adults figure out who I am, but when my daughter asked if she could come on here I immediately said "no!" This place is where I can say things and ask things that could potentially hurt her feelings and I want to keep her off. Occasionally something funny or inspirational or enlightening will be posted and I share those threads/links individually with her.

 

[raenndrops]

This is me. I don't care if other adults figure out who I am, but when my daughter asked if she could come on here I immediately said "no!" This place is where I can say things and ask things that could potentially hurt her feelings and I want to keep her off. Occasionally something funny or inspirational or enlightening will be posted and I share those threads/links individually with her.

I don't care if other adults (or even my gymmies) see what I have posted in the main forums... I just wouldnt want my gymmies to see some of my posts in the social groups.

 

[2G1B]

Mrs. Puma, If I had the funds I would LOVE to join you. My parents would have a heart attack knowing I was meeting friends I met on a chat board, but it would be sooooo much fun!

My mom thought I was crazy a few years ago - I not only met up with people I met online; but I invited several of them and their kids to come to my cabin and spend the weekend. We had people from 4 states meet up. My mom called and checked in daily. LOL

 

[Deleted member 18037]

I married one

 

[Ali'sMom]

I married one

You win!!!!
That's awesome!!

 

[Mrs. Puma]

Almost 14 years ago, I was on a chat board regarding having trouble getting pregnant... to equate it to this, there were a ton of ladies in the main board. But then social groups were smaller.

At this point, we have a Facebook group of 22 of us. And we have had a few get togethers with as many 12 of us (rented a house, all staying together, etc). And we are from as north as NH, as west as AZ, South as Florida, and as east as France (she came for one of our gatherings!) and Italy.
Once you can deduce that someone isn't an ax murderer, it's amazing how you can become friends with someone you meet online!

My older daughter (theater DD these days, I suppose? Lol) was my IVF miracle, and Puma Jr was my holy-crap-cancel-the-specialist-appointment miracle! Hence, why my children are 19 months and 3 weeks apart...I wish I knew about those boards back then! As a pharmacist, I think I have helped many women over the years feel a little more comfortable dealing with infertility just knowing that I went through the same thing. They say things happen for a reason, right?!

 

[Sasha]

When I began posting over 2 years ago, I wanted to be anonymous because I had some tough questions about the fit between my kid(s) and the gym. Some things I said would probably be hurtful to the coaches because I have definitely "questioned coaching decisions" on here in my attempt to understand things as a parent with zero knowledge of gymnastics. The answers from this community were definitely helpful, though-provoking, and I'm glad that I did ask someone rather than go crazy wondering what was 'normal' or 'expected'.

Now that I'm a bit wiser (I hope) about how gym-world works, and have gotten to know the coaches as people more, and am better equipped to address any questions with them directly, I would actually like to be more open, especially in social groups. I feel trapped, though, that I have to guard my identity because of my earlier posts that might upset someone. I'll bet money at least someone has recognized me on here since I have shared numerous details throughout the years, but no one has reached out. It would be great with me if they did, though.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

You win!!!!
That's awesome!!

I wasn't trying to win

But back when I met my husband, internet dating was just starting. I still laugh when folks would say you are having a date with someone you met on line (see expression of shock on their faces). And I would say yeah because meeting someone you met at a bar on a random Friday night is such a better way to go ROFL

And that is the simple version. Sorry to derail, we return you to regularly scheduled program.

 

[dani4]

I figured out that someone here was from my gym because she mentioned the location and we don't have a ton of gyms around here. Plus her descriptions of the gym were familiar, although I wasn't sure because we're at opposite ends- my kids are pretty far from team and her daughter is much more experienced and older. I do not actually know who she is irl but that's ok, it has been nice to pm with her a little when I have questions about how things work. And I love reading her posts because I am reassured that everything is going to work out just fine for my kids at our gym.

 

[Kate E]

I haven't actually wondered but do know some where but cant remember their names on here or whether they're even still here. I would be fine to be public based on what I've said but it's the safety aspect I try to be careful of.
I met my DH through a social board ... He knew me on the board but I'd never really chatted to him then we had a huge meet to celebrate something and he was sitting with one of the people I was real life friends with (met on the board first) and we hit off ... 3 weeks later we started to date and 11 years later we're married with a Daughter (I also have a son from previous relationship that he has taken on fully as his own even though DS still sees his Bio father).