<p>Probably like everyone, I started on CC because I wanted more information about college apps, etc. Now that I’m done with that aspect of my life (thank goodness!), I find I spend about 90% of my time in Parent Cafe. As the thread “Where Do You Want to Go When You Retire?” pointed out, and as our CC meeting in NYC yesterday made me realize, we on this site have huge things in common – to name a few,</p>
<p>We have intelligent kids looking at a lot of the same schools
We ourselves are intelligent (well, some of us are downright brilliant!)
We’re in the same age range
We’re all relatively of the same “class” (whatever that means – )
We’re all thinking about things like retirement, health care, retirement income, post-prom parties, when to put the dog down, and where to find comfortable but stylish shoes (The Important Things in Life)</p>
<p>Isn’t it great to meet people who have so much in common?? I love this place.</p>
<p>Hi VeryHappy - it was great meeting you and everyone else yesterday. Aren’t you glad you decided to come? I love the Parent Cafe as well - where else can you find so much useful and/or fun information? I think we were a fairly diverse bunch, to be honest - but we all had the important things in common, and that’s what counts.</p>
<p>Well, I switched to an entirely new facial skin care line based on a recommendation in PC – and I love it! Honestly – good, free advice is just the best!</p>
<p>And VeryHappy, for me, working with tech guys who really only like to talk about mobile computing platforms, just finding so many people here who believe words are a good system is worth the price of admission.</p>
<p>20 years ago, I worked fulltime (as I still do), so I didn’t get to take part much in all that bonding that occurred while the kiddies played. Whenever I did partake, I felt like an interloper.</p>
<p>binx - I concur! However, it’s so much more than that. In the last several months, I’ve ventured onto other websites to inform myself on political issues. Almost every other site (including news media) has some sort of forum or comment option, and I cringe everytime I begin to read the diatribe. It’s so hateful, so ignorant (i.e. - I can’t believe there’s a person here who still believes Obama is a practicing Muslim, or who used the Koran to be sworn into the Senate), so vicious, and frankly, crude. People don’t know the rules of netiquette… they shout, they repeat the same post 100 times (not that that’s an option on CC). I don’t see a sharing of opposing ideals, but arrogant assumptions. You can’t deny that you learn so much more from civil discourse, when others respect your words and listen to you, without attacking the messenger. Of course we don’t all agree on CC, but the manner in which dialogues are carried out shows immense integrity amongst its posters. </p>
<p>Just curious, does anyone else participate on any other websites that are anywhere near as respectful and thoughtful as CC is, where there’s such a diverse array of topics and perspectives?</p>
<p>Alumother – Dr Hauschka. I have somewhat sensitive skin, especially as the years go by.</p>
<p>teriwtt – same opinion re other sites w/ comment options – at least the few I’ve checked. Diatribe is exactly the word I’d use. Are there really that many ignorant people out there, or are the same few posting on all the sites? Ugh! Makes coming back to CC that much nicer!</p>
<p>I too am “between” college searches (one in college, one in 10th grade). I’m here now for the parenting advice. Also for laughs - there are some great stories here!</p>