Debate or mud slinging?

I believe in behaving in a way that sets a golden example for my children. Whether they are watching or not. No my two year old can’t read what I write online but what kind of person am I if I take delight in belittling others in a public forum, what example am I setting.

Just as I wouldn’t go up and thump another mother in the playground I refrain from tearing strips off women on the Internet.

Look I don’t agree with everything I read in mainstream or on more ‘crunchy’ forums however if I’m going to disagree with someone I do so in the context of the thread or in a private message. It is not my place to repost bits of a conversation elsewhere, especially without giving that person the benefit of the doubt or a chance to defend themselves.

It’s pretty simple really, the Internet is already at times a mean and nasty place, why add to that?

I suppose I was naive thinking only those who were supportive of natural birth and attachment parenting would join a homebirth forum. I feel betrayed that someone joined just to repost and mock. I feel my options are now limited when I’m looking for support or have questions regarding parenting matters as I never know who is reading.

It’s upsetting and disappointing.

I don’t defend everything that is written by natural birth advocates, I’m sure there are nasty things said on both sides but why add fuel to the fire?

I am all for healthy civil discussion about parenting and birth. I’m not for degrading, mocking, nastiness, from either side.

I am for critique of published studies and authors, I beleive when you put your work out there it SHOULD be critiqued. I feel there is a difference between works published and posts made in a forum in a big way.

Mostly because when you write a book or publish a study there is an expectation that some people won’t like it ane will quote you all over the shop. Same with a blog realty

When you post on a forum there is a certain expectation that it won’t be copied and pasted elsewhere on the Internet.

It’s pretty simple really, remember these are real people, read the terms and conditions when you join a forum, treat others as you would like to be treated and remember that in 20 years time when your children are grown up they just might be able to look all of this up, and what will they think if they read your posts and see how you were behaving.

Will they see their parents being passionate but dignified and civil or will they see them being spiteful, hurtful and unkind.