Respect and Doing No Harm

[Darny]

I'm posting this as a Sticky, because I'd like to think everyone will read it and think about it, and once posted I'm going to lock it, because I don't want to start a debate, I just want people to THINK.

Basically I just want to remind you all that each and every username on this board is a real living, breathing, thinking, feeling, fellow human being.

This forum has an environmental bent, we are trying to encourage the use of cloth nappies, but we need to remember that people also make up part of our environment, and just like we all need to treat our physical environment with respect, we also need to treat our emotional environment with respect.

We don't always agree with others opinions, but we need to respect their right to have them, we don't always need to be right, we are allowed to agree to disagree.

We DO however need to think before we speak - how would we feel if someone said that to us, if it's hurtful, nasty, snide, or vilifying, then how would we react to being on the receiving end of it, and is it really necessary to say it, or could it be done a less harmful way - or not a all.

It's never nice to be judged, especially by a group of our peers who we look to for support and affirmation, and it's harder still when you may already be overtired, stressed, or suffering depression.

I'm sure there are people who enjoy a good argument, but there is a fine line between constructive discussion and destructive criticism and if the line is hard to see it is better to err on the side of caution.

Please, before you hit submit, stop and read what you have written and ask yourself how you'd feel if someone said that to you.

Lets be a supportive caring community of individuals who don't need to agree on everything, but who can respect others points of view.

Thank you

[Amethyst]

I'm bumping this because I think some people may have forgotten this very important message.
Guys, I really wish the admin and mods team didn't have to be here I really do, have you got any idea of the hours and hours we put in behind the scenes trying to keep this place, happy, functional and running properly?

We have with a heavy heart initiated the following rule.

If a member is constantly having their posts reported as being defamatory, inflaming or not in accordance with TNN rules, that member will be given an informal telling off, then a formal warning. If the behaviour continues the member runs the risk of being sent on an enforced hiatus, or depending on the behaviour a total banning.

If you feel a members post is crass or breaks TNN rules, please report it so the admin and mod team are aware of it. You can report posts and PM's by clicking on the little triangle with an exclamation mark at the top of every post or PM.

We really hope it doesn't come to this, we really do. We are a growing forum, there are bound to be people as IRL that don't gel with our ideas or morals. Think for a moment before you post, "would I say this if the person were standing in front of me?" If the answer is no, don't post it. Just because you can't see the other person doesn't make them any less real than you are. How would you feel if someone said that to your child??

Thanks everyone for your help in this matter .