Daycare.com Forum and its Future

[Michael]

A lot of change has been happening in my life lately. This forum over the las 11 years has become one of the best resources for childcare parents and providers. At its height, we were getting over 600 posts a day. We are down to less than 40 a day now.

The reason is simple. While it is a goldmine of information, it is an old program that is not "mobile ready". Google now penalizes websites that are not mobile ready. Over 50% of our traffic uses mobile devices. I get why this forum should be mobile ready but the database is so large that I can not get the database to transfer over to the newest program which has mobile ready benefits.

That's unfortunate. I have a few directions I can go forward with. I would appreciate your feedback.

1) Install the new program and basically start over. The new forum over time will get Google indexing rewards of mobile-ready searches

2) Keep the forum as is

3) Do 1) and link to the old forum as an archive

[Pandaluver21]

I would definitely love to see more traffic, and if mobile is the way to go that might be worth it... HOWEVER I would hate to loose all the history we have on here. My vote would definitely be more towards #3 to keep both at some level.
Thank you for all you do!!

[Former Teacher]

I agree! Do 3!

I said a rhyme lol

[Valerie928]

Originally Posted by Pandaluver21

I would definitely love to see more traffic, and if mobile is the way to go that might be worth it... HOWEVER I would hate to loose all the history we have on here. My vote would definitely be more towards #3 to keep both at some level.
Thank you for all you do!!

Yes! I agree with this.

[e.j.]

I'm not very tech savvy so while #3 seems to make the most sense to me, too, is there a downside to doing it this way?

[Michael]

Originally Posted by e.j.

I'm not very tech savvy so while #3 seems to make the most sense to me, too, is there a downside to doing it this way?

Yes, you would need to create a new account on the new system. Anything you had on this forum would be available to some degree. I guess my emphasis would be to play down the old forum to push the new one.

[284878]

#3...

[Michael]

I'm going to be in Florida for the next week or two. Thanks for the moderators and members who continue to keep this forum going. I'll make a decision when I get back. Thanks all

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Michael

I'm going to be in Florida for the next week or two. Thanks for the moderators and members who continue to keep this forum going. I'll make a decision when I get back. Thanks all

I vote #3.

I don't mind "starting over" at all.

In all honesty I don't post as often or reply sometimes because I think "why repeat something that has been typed out a ton of times already" so having the opportunity to reply and give advice on a new platform would be welcome in my opinion.

[littlefriends]

I vote #3 as well

[DaveA]

#3 sounds like the best option.

[Annalee]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I vote #3.

I don't mind "starting over" at all.

In all honesty I don't post as often or reply sometimes because I think "why repeat something that has been typed out a ton of times already" so having the opportunity to reply and give advice on a new platform would be welcome in my opinion.

Same here!

[momofsix]

I havent been on the forum for quite a while, after being an active for a long time. Mainly because I hardly use my laptop anymore and mostly use my phone-so I guess #3 would be my preference.

[CenterTeacher20]

Agree with #3!

[flying_babyb]

im newish here. I would say 3! I would hate to lose the ability to look back at this forum and be able to search it!

[Josiegirl]

I've noticed the down tick of replies but thought it was just me.
I don't contribute nearly as much anymore because I feel I don't have anything to add, not being in the business. And the off topic section isn't as fast track as it used to be.

I like option 3 as well. Just curious, would any of the topics change or the format?
I prefer using my laptop because it's much easier to see than my phone plus I'm not that good with my phone. But that's just me.
Whatever you decide is fine, as long as it doesn't disappear altogether.

[Michael]

The format would look the same on your desktop. The biggest improvement would be on your smart phone. The layout would be better and you would not need to zoom in on text or pictures.

[Gemma]

My vote is for option 3 as well

[flying_babyb]

Originally Posted by Josiegirl

I've noticed the down tick of replies but thought it was just me.
I don't contribute nearly as much anymore because I feel I don't have anything to add, not being in the business. And the off topic section isn't as fast track as it used to be.

I like option 3 as well. Just curious, would any of the topics change or the format?
I prefer using my laptop because it's much easier to see than my phone plus I'm not that good with my phone. But that's just me.
Whatever you decide is fine, as long as it doesn't disappear altogether.

I miss the off topic fastness too! I hate doing forums on my phone, all those LITTLE letter buttons. I grew up in the tech age and still perfer my laptop

[Michael]

Well with the mobile ready forum, your desktop and laptop will still look the same. With the newer program, smart phones will be able to display the text better.

[dolores]

Option 3. And a downloadable app would be a nice feature for smartphone and computer.

[CeriBear]

Option # 3 is my vote too.

[Ariana]

Option #1 OR #3.

[Lovatic24]

Not #1

[Josiegirl]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I vote #3.

I don't mind "starting over" at all.

In all honesty I don't post as often or reply sometimes because I think "why repeat something that has been typed out a ton of times already" so having the opportunity to reply and give advice on a new platform would be welcome in my opinion.

While I agree with this, I also disagree. Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

[Michael]

Originally Posted by Josiegirl

While I agree with this, I also disagree. Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

Thank you. While this month has had a lot of loss for me there is also much to celebrate. My son Jonathan worked on the Mars 2020 Mission at JPL that successfully landed on Mars yesterday. Here are a few pictures for him with his late grandmother at the Jet Propulsion laboratory.

[Cat Herder]

That is amazing.

[Annalee]

Originally Posted by Josiegirl

While I agree with this, I also disagree. Sometimes when I look for something and can't quite put my finger on what I need, I simply ask the question again. And let's face it, rules change, parents change , expectations change, even though so much remains the same.

Most importantly, hope you are doing okay Michael. You're dealing with a lot of loss. Don't let this place be your priority right now.

There is some truth in this, Josie! However, sometimes I'm just 'talked-out'. On our zoom meetings, a provider text me and asked why I wasn't talking/speaking up. I told them "I've been in this business so long, every single one KNOWS how I feel already". Just tired of rinsing/repeating. Make sense?

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Annalee

There is some truth in this, Josie! However, sometimes I'm just 'talked-out'. On our zoom meetings, a provider text me and asked why I wasn't talking/speaking up. I told them "I've been in this business so long, every single one KNOWS how I feel already". Just tired of rinsing/repeating. Make sense?

Yes, this!

I absolutely agree that parents change, rules change and expectations do as well but there are times in which I read some of the things that providers post and I honestly think in my head that they know the answer, they just don't want to hear it. Or the ever popular....they want an easy solution because they don't like conflict or confrontation.

It's hard to be a business owner as it is but to manage a business that involves humans on both the child and adult level in conjunction with your own family's needs and there is going to be conflict or confrontation and the short answer is there is no way to avoid it other than to just cave and let parents and children walk all over you or use your backbone. Truth be told, those are THE only options.

Also as a long time provider it's hard to "fluff" up my reply/advice as to not hurt the posters feelings but still state the truth. kwim?

I've watched (and participated) in the evolution of both this board and the role of being a provider and I understand the metamorphosis of what happens to those long time providers as they progress through their careers.

For example, not too long ago a former provider that no longer posts regularly here made a comment about seasoned providers on this site having a "mean girl" attitude and creating an atmosphere here that newbies aren't welcome.

I've gotten PM's from new providers/members telling me that I (as well as a few other veteran posters) are heartless, cruel and basically burnt out. It's almost as if they know that hard work is required to achieve the results they want but rather than accept the advice, they use anger towards those that gave the advice.
(hopefully that makes sense)

I read alot and keep up with new posts etc here but I definitely don't feel the need to offer up advice that does work only to called heartless etc.

As I said, I agree that parents change, rules change and expectations change but most of all providers change. Most (NOT all) newer providers want butterflies and glitter all the time. They don't want to be told clients won't put them first or care about them as people. They don't want to hear those things. They want easy and they want nice.

[Michael]

Well said BC. There is a different dimension with this forum, in that it puts the whole nation’s opinions onto different providers in both large and small towns. One size does not fit all.

We have to take what is helpful and toss all the rest away. The culling of posts is a personal decision. The problem is created when members want an all-or-nothing approach here. That is more a current reaction to current events. We are becoming segregated in many ways in the country. Politics has crept into everything and the old norms don’t work as well.

We have so much information on here that it’s generational. Social change in a format that is stark to see. That is a positive IMO. It reflects the truth no matter how hard visitors try to define it otherwise. The forum now has a past, present and future.

[Annalee]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

Yes, this!

I absolutely agree that parents change, rules change and expectations do as well but there are times in which I read some of the things that providers post and I honestly think in my head that they know the answer, they just don't want to hear it. Or the ever popular....they want an easy solution because they don't like conflict or confrontation.

It's hard to be a business owner as it is but to manage a business that involves humans on both the child and adult level in conjunction with your own family's needs and there is going to be conflict or confrontation and the short answer is there is no way to avoid it other than to just cave and let parents and children walk all over you or use your backbone. Truth be told, those are THE only options.

Also as a long time provider it's hard to "fluff" up my reply/advice as to not hurt the posters feelings but still state the truth. kwim?

I've watched (and participated) in the evolution of both this board and the role of being a provider and I understand the metamorphosis of what happens to those long time providers as they progress through their careers.

For example, not too long ago a former provider that no longer posts regularly here made a comment about seasoned providers on this site having a "mean girl" attitude and creating an atmosphere here that newbies aren't welcome.

I've gotten PM's from new providers/members telling me that I (as well as a few other veteran posters) are heartless, cruel and basically burnt out. It's almost as if they know that hard work is required to achieve the results they want but rather than accept the advice, they use anger towards those that gave the advice.
(hopefully that makes sense)

I read alot and keep up with new posts etc here but I definitely don't feel the need to offer up advice that does work only to called heartless etc.

As I said, I agree that parents change, rules change and expectations change but most of all providers change. Most (NOT all) newer providers want butterflies and glitter all the time. They don't want to be told clients won't put them first or care about them as people. They don't want to hear those things. They want easy and they want nice.

Yes; and as Nick Saban says (paraphrasing) "if you want easy and nice, you need to be selling ice cream; being a leader is not easy and nice all the time"!

[Cat Herder]

I think it is simpler than that. Experienced providers think and act their way through issues. New providers feel their way through them. The forum reads the same way.

It takes years to be able to appreciate the difference and put it into practice. My business has very little impact on my emotions, anymore. It simply is not personal to me.

When I first came to this forum, it still was emotional, a bit. I was using my business to meet unmet personal emotional needs at home. Once I recognized it, thanks to posters here, I was able to address my needs and put my business back into the structure, consistency and rationality it required. Emotions = Family. Policies = Business. The parents seemed happier, too. No more walking on eggshells for anyone.

I struggle with this vote because I often go back to old posts to check myself when I feel nothing. I don't want to go too far in either direction. Mush or Steel. I love the archives so much more than the current topics. I miss actual debate, educational topics and open ended discussion. I loathe all the required parroting of "QRIS". Original ideas, techniques and opinions based on hands on experience, please.

I understand change needs to happen and I will support this forum either way. It has helped my marriage, parenting and business. I am very thankful for it.

[Cat Herder]

I think Thomas Sowell nailed it in 2011 - "The reason so many people misunderstand so many issues is not that these issues are so complex, but that people do not want a factual or analytical explanation that leaves them emotionally unsatisfied. They want villains to hate and heroes to cheer - and they don't want explanations that do not give them that."

[Josiegirl]

BC,I completely get that. I guess where I was coming from, was thinking back to when I found this place, and the things that helped me so much were fresh ideas that everyone shared; ideas about activities, routines, handbooks, etc. I created so much more in the terms of enjoyment for the dcks in my dc, from all the expertise and wisdom that was offered here. Just the day to day fun and routine management(not to mention parent management) that helped. Of course, if people searched the archives, that can all be found but I always figured new people=new ideas, KWIM?
I've always loved this place ever since I stumbled upon it. It's been a place I've felt welcomed, supported and understood. I honestly don't know how my dc would've evolved if not for here and the wonderful people that share their ideas and opinions.
Being in this new part of my life, I still visit(obviously ) and want to contribute but wish(I know I mentioned this before)the off topic traffic would increase. That's just me not wanting to leave though.

Michael, thank you for sharing the pictures of your son and mom; looks like they had a treasured relationship.