i know i came here for help and i have only been on here for a day and i have met some amazing people with great advice...
so people that come here for that shouldnt be here people come here for help and support... and i know that to be here is a great feeling and people shouldnt turn this site into some sort of judging game we dont need to be judged buy people who dont understand anything... we need people who understand and people who have the advice that we need.
since iv been on here everyone has made me feel so much better.

ashley

I think ranking and competition is not bed but if people write their article just because of ranking then it is a different issue. I don't know because I am very new to Minti. I joined minti because I wanted to protect children against abusiness, but know I am learning and finding very different and interesting things which are very heplfull to me.

Take care

Seb

Fantastic Lexi! This is exactly how I feel about the site - I come here not to be judged but to get and give advice & make friends along the way. I really enjoy Minti & hate to see people squabbling over silly things!

Teshia

Well put Lexi honey.  I agree I come here because there are things that I can't discuss with people I see on a regular basis.  My friends on Minti are my confidants and I love them all for their willingness to be open about anything I have to say.  We are here to help each other, to share our experiences and to help others.  WE ARE FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!

xxxxxxxx

As always beautfully written and very insightful.

this is what it is about turning frowns into smiles... it's meant to be helpful and useful...

minti friends should always support each other...

I just wanted to add and maybe I am all alone here and my heart is pounding as I type this because I fear being shunned but I just wanted to say that when I am feeling low (and it happens more than I care to admit to myself) my ranking DOES mean something to me.  It means, people out there like what I have written and how I have written it, it means that my advice may have helped someone and how can that not make you feel better about yourself.  For pure selfishness sometimes I NEED my rankings and if that makes me pathetic and childish and self centred or what ever else has been mentioned not just here but most places from time to time, then so be it.  It is the deep dark truth of ME.  I NEED to be successful at something sometimes.

I have had a tiff lately, but that was because I was told my opinion was "crap", and I thought I was (mainly) tactful in my response considering.  I don't enjoy argueing, I am one who hates confrontations in the real world and Minti is no exception to this rule.  I do find it easier to stand up for myself here though than in the real world, which once again is probably sad and pathetic, but there you go. 

I have only been on Minti a few weeks and was really enjoying it but all of a sudden I find myself reading these little "squabbles", which are of no benefit to anyone. 

If people want to converse or respond specifically to one person, it is more appropriate to email them, otherwise, let it be the general informative discussion of everyones' contribution that is should be.

I have enjoyed every bit of my Minti experience so far! Its been great meeting other parents in here, chatting away about what’s going on in each others lives and comparing parenting experiences. I’ve met some wonderful people through this site so far! Its sad to hear some people aren’t hear for ‘nice’ reasons. I hope they take a step back and realise what Minti is really for. So I just like to say thanks to everyone I’ve come into contact with here so far! Your advice and experiences have given me great things to reflect on.

Kylie *

Yes Deb...it does take a village to raise a child.....like you....Minti is my village ...and much more helpful than real family 99.9 % of the time.

Thanks for a great read Lexi 

I couldnt agree with you more right from the heart .this isnt high school is it ,,

theres are so many people that are just plain old bullies that Must of been either bullied or the bulls in their lifes ,and its an awuful shame that people that chips on their shoulders about other people and cant see behond great advice / help comments ,, i mean how on earth could voteing someone down be good for others when all they are on here is for help or to do their best to help others .

dosent it say that it takes a villiage to raise a child ? to me this is my villiage ,

people taketheir time to so their best to help others1 because they have been in that spot before and two cause they care and dont like to see others go through things alone also .

Not everything that we read will help everyone BUT in also saying this at times it just takes a comment or article that we read that might help us will set off a light bulb in our heads and think yeah i might just look into that a little more ,what might not work for me might work for others ,voteing people down for things is just plain old childish and not helpful at all .as we all dont agree with whats been written we also have to keep in mind that it just might be something that someone else has been looking for and with saying that should never vote another down just dont even bother to comment go forward to something else they might be able to help with instead .

I couldnt agree with you more right from the heart .this isnt high school is it ,,

theres are so many people that are just plain old bullies that Must of been either bullied or the bulls in their lifes ,and its an awuful shame that people that chips on their shoulders about other people and cant see behond great advice / help comments ,, i mean how on earth could voteing someone down be good for others when all they are on here is for help or to do their best to help others .

dosent it say that it takes a villiage to raise a child ? to me this is my villiage ,

people taketheir time to so their best to help others1 because they have been in that spot before and two cause they care and dont like to see others go through things alone also .

Not everything that we read will help everyone BUT in also saying this at times it just takes a comment or article that we read that might help us will set off a light bulb in our heads and think yeah i might just look into that a little more ,what might not work for me might work for others ,voteing people down for things is just plain old childish and not helpful at all .as we all dont agree with whats been written we also have to keep in mind that it just might be something that someone else has been looking for and with saying that should never vote another down just dont even bother to comment go forward to something else they might be able to help with instead .

Great article Lexi.  There are some silly competitive people out there, but there's also lots of others who want to make Minti a good place and support each other.  Hope you feel more confident to jump on again more soon... I've missed seeing you around.

*hugs*!

Leith

Great Article Lexi,

But it's a shame that you have to write such an article. In the short time that i have been a member of minti, i have found the fountain of advice very helpful, the groups, forums, Q&A's very informative. The friendships i have formed through minti, i will treasure deeply. And i hope along the way that i have helped someone with my advice. But lately i have felt uncomfortable about being on minti, so i'm hoping your advice is a reminder to a certain few, just what minti is really about. And we can get back to being a helping community.