Hall of Fame? Notable Posts?
First, It looks like everyone has their pictures on the Babies! post now if you want to check it out again:
http://chinaadopttalk.com/2007/11/05/babies-5/
Second, I’m working on a “Notes from this batch” post. There are some loose ends, so if you are aware of anything out of the norm from this batch and feel comfortable giving me the details, please do.
And now, on to today’s post:
I was really hoping for more people to have posts they’d like to see in a “Hall of Fame” type room in the forum. As for naming it something else, I’m not attached to the idea of calling it a “Hall of Fame”, maybe something like “Notable Posts”? Something else?
If you remember a post and can’t find it, please note that if you go into the advanced search area you can change the Search Order drop down box to show Largest Topics First. That might help the software help you find a thread you can remember.
Otherwise, if you can remember one and can’t find it, mention here what you can remember of the thread and maybe someone else can help find it.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:23 am
I’ve been thinking about this a little bit and a few things come to mind. First, I love the idea of having a “hall of fame” type section with posts like the “not so rosy part of adopion”. From time to time, when you have posted something that reallly feels important, I have sent the link to my parents, hoping it will help them better understand their granddaughter-to-be’s experience or situation. I have felt grateful more than once that I found this blog so long ago, as I have learned so much from it along the way. I know if I started today, it would never occur to me to go back through past posts to see what I missed. I am sorry, though, at the moment I cannot think of anything in particular to add to the list started in the previous post, but really support the idea of finding a way to highlight ceratain posts for newbies.
The second thought I have is about some of the different sections of the forum. When I started this process I wanted to know everything I could about China, adoption, attachment, travel, etc….. Now, I find that the wait is just too long and too hard to keep up that level of enthusiasm. I only tend to read what relates to me right now. I have no room to take in things that I know will be important to me once I get my referral. I keep thinking that when the time comes I will try to go through all the old posts in the forum about travel, or the first few days, and other things I will be experiencing. I don’t want to suggest more work, but am wondering if there can be a post in each of the individual forum areas listing some of the more improtant threads of that section. Don’t want to add more work, but wanted to put the idea out there.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:28 am
As for important blog posts, I’ve already done that out here. There is a section of links in the right hand column called “Important Posts”, and the not-so-rosy post is listed in those links.
What I’m talking about is for forum threads that people feel are important enough to be out front and center so they don’t get lost as they fall back into history.
November 10th, 2007 at 11:39 am
Seems like the topic of boy referrals comes up a lot. That may be too controversial for a “hall of fame” section though.
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=2266.0
A few on attachment:
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=241.0
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=10464.0
I thought this post had some great advice for a shut down child:
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=9671.0
November 10th, 2007 at 11:40 am
I was thinking you could name it “Round table” discussions - just a thought to continue the website theme…. Thanks for everything RQ - you’re the best!!!
November 10th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
It is controversial, but a topic that certainly most of us are interested in (myself included): how often referrals don’t match expectation. So another vote for boy referrals but also older children and maybe minor special needs. I think this can be done in an informative fashion to help parents to prepare. I think it could be a good thing.
November 10th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
RQ
I really like the idea of the “hall of fame” posts…but honestly I barely get through all the posts to even recommend some! I remember some great posts about travel tips, attachment issues the first few days after meeting your child, what to buy for your first baby, etc.
As the site traffic grows, there are so many more posts that I have a difficult time keeping up. My humble suggestion would be to create a section with the 10 “hottest topics” or threads that are getting a greatest number of hits and replies. Post that continue in this fashion could graduate into the “hall of fame”.
Honestly, when I’m pressed for time I usually hit a few threads that look relevant and search for anything Nji13 responds to because it is usually worth reading. I know I’m probably missing a lot of good topics…but I just do not have hours available to read through all the posts :(.
November 10th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Nji13’s post regarding “Solving The Question: What Does My Childs Name Mean?” is excellent:
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=7901.0
November 10th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
One of the the most memorable posts as we waited for our referral was someone writing about optimism vs. pessimism and using the story about getting a pony as a birthday gift that is left in a room for quite a while. The pessimist can only see the pony poo. The optimist knows there’s a pony in there somewhere. We have our pony. We hope no one gives up hope that your little treasure will come some day soon.
November 10th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’m a 12/5 LID who did not get a referral this week - I can PM you the details if you like but can’t remember where to find your email address (it’s been a stressful and awful week and can’t remember my name half the time, let alone where to find things… lol)
November 10th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I vote for: “Realistic expectations for the first couple of days with your new child”. (I think I spelled it right. It’s going on right now.) This is a great thread -many gotcha moments and experiences shared. As a newbie, I would throw myself over that post as a “What to expect” info.
November 10th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
It may be a moot point, now that the White Swan is going to be closing in May, but it seems that there are an awful lot of “White Swan vs. Victory” posts every few months.
I also think that packing lists need to be in one place, possibly “gifts” to bring and “gifts” to purchase as well.
These are just my thoughts (sorry, I don’t have time to do a search for the exact pages).
November 10th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Some of my recommendations were already mentioned, but I’ll go ahead and add my two cents. I like the “Realistic expectations for the first few days with your child,” travel threads, sleeping threads - the ones to do with going to get your child and when your child comes home. Although I will say there was a thread that I most enjoyed reading. It was a thread about the funny things children say. Those always bring a smile to my face.
November 10th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I’ll put my two cents in to say that I’m not sure I would find a hall of fame section useful. For me, everytime a topic comes up (even if it’s the millionth time :), we get a different batch of responses with new views from oldtimers who may have gotten some new ideas and some newcomers that weren’t around for the original discussion. New experiences can be added, and the information is fresh based on the circumstances at that time. Even though some things haven’t changed, even something as simple as packing lists can be much different now than it was in the past with new airline security rules. I often search back through the archives when I’m looking for something, but 9 times out of 10 it’s still nice to start a new discussion about the topic and see what comes up and what new directions the discussion might go. Just my opinion, RQ, I love all the work you do! If lots of others find it useful, then I say go for it!
November 10th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
jaycrnjd, I am so sorry for your disappointment this week. Hopefully you’ll be celebrating soon. (& will be shouting it from the rooftops here on RQ!)
November 10th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Same as Mommyeireanne, a another vote for boy referrals, older children and maybe minor special needs. Me too, I think this can be done in an informative fashion to help parents to prepare.
LID 03/15/06
November 10th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I like the name “Important topics” or “Important posts and threads”. The heading “hall of fame” does not really cover the meaning, I think, and might be a bit confusing.
As mentioned earlier, I really wish there (instead?) were several groups or topics where one could discuss certain important or recurring topics. Such as attachment - or for that matter, boy referrals.
November 10th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I’m sure this is totally NOT what you’re looking for, but…one of my favorite all time threads was started by me in Blowing Off Steam as a petty vent. It soon morphed into the greated string of limericks. I am not claiming any credit for how funny this thread became because I couldn’t write a limerick to save my life. We have/had some very talented and funny people posting then.
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=289.0
November 11th, 2007 at 1:12 am
I think the threads on correct car seat usage both in vehicles and the “do I take a car seat for the airplane” debate. Here are some of the links- I know there are more. I don’t know if it would be possible to put the factual info into it’s own thread to cut out the “conversation” parts and then combine them- but lots of good info in these threads
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=7147.0
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=7264.0
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=5706.0
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=7100.0
November 11th, 2007 at 3:50 am
Somewhere I saw some information that someone posted about what gifts to take how many and who they were for, the poster said that certain gifts were so over given that the reciever would open a drawer and it would be full of the same gift given time after time and it would be dropped in without another thought, I would love to see this again, or hear from anyone that has come back and wishes there was something they had given.
November 11th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
I’d like to second the pony poop thread nomination. It may not be as practical info as some of these, but it is one of the most memorable to me. Plus I still see occcassional references to pony poop in other threads so it would help new posters to know the story.
November 11th, 2007 at 3:16 pm
I suggest the name “royal topics”.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I second armful’s suggestion on the name , “Royal Topics”
HoosierBay, I totally forgot about that limerick thread. It was HYSTERICAL!!! I was having a really rough time with that wait at that posting and the thread had me laughing like I hadn’t in months. So glad for that inital “petty” vent of yours! :-)
(RQ, definitely my top pick!)
Laureen
http://www.babysites.com/sites/laureenmary
November 12th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I would suggest Golden Topics.
November 12th, 2007 at 11:08 am
RQ-
Please forgive me for not finding the actual threads, but some topics that I think may qualify:
1. How the process goes once you get referral.
2. What happens if there are problems with your referral (and you have to refuse it)
3. Gift ideas and process
4. The reasons for the slowdown (or suggested reasons at least)
4a. The Olypmics…that one keeps cropping up.
5. How the CCAA, SWIs and such are organized
6. How to find various websites that are important - CCAA, SWI yahoo groups, rate your agency and such
7. Mandarin questions (among them, NJIs baby name one)
Just some thoughts…
November 12th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
KathyP put together a thread with a ton of packing lists on it, I am finding this very helpful as I prepare to travel next month.
http://chinaadopttalk.com/forum/index.php?topic=8350.0
HannaJ