Introducing the Forum!
Oh, this is such an exciting week for me! All of these things that I have been dreaming up and planning for so long are finally taking place!
For quite some time, I’ve wanted to launch a forum here at Keeper of the Home. A place where all of those wonderful questions that get asked in the comments could be answered in a more purposeful way. A place where women could connect with other like-minded women. A place where knowledge and tips can be shared, on any given topic, and not just by me but by all of the other incredible and resourceful women who read this blog. A place where the focus is on issues pertaining to natural living- but you get to ask the questions and decided which topics are most important!
For all of these reasons and many others, I decided to pursue running a forum on this site. Now, I’ve never run a forum before (nothing like trying out something that you’re clueless about! :)). However, I’ve participated in some and found them to be such incredibly helpful resources. It is a powerful thing to have a question on a very specific topic and be able to post it and begin to receive answers and thoughts from other moms and homemakers, within the day or even hours! It’s fantastic to be able to answer someone else’s question and know that you’ve helped them out or been able to encourage them in their efforts. Community is a very good thing.
Knowing the wealth of wise women that frequent this site, I can only anticipate this forum growing to be a valuable place to both share and ask about what’s on your mind and going on in your life. Topics can range from natural diaper rash solutions to your favorite heirloom seeds, or from a recipe that uses stewing beef and broccoli to the best non-toxic method you’ve found for removing grass stains on kids clothes. And absolutely anything in between. The sky is literally the limit.
Image by PhotoVandal
Not sure how to get started?
**This is a screen shot of part of the forum, just to give you an idea of what it looks like**
First, click on the Forum tab in the navigational bar at the top of my blog.
Second, you’ll need to register as a Forum member. This is a very quick and painless process.
Third, at the top of the board categories you’ll see one called “Welcome” and within that is a board called “Start Here!!!”. Take a quick read through this just to get more of a feel for how to use the boards and some basic forum etiquette.
Fourth, take a look through the different boards. See what interests you and then jump in! We’ll need some brave souls to start out by initiating some new threads and topics. I’ve established all of the main categories (such as Natural Living), as well as boards under those (eg. Cloth Diapering, Mama Cloth, and Household Cleaning). From there, we need to start posting new topics and get things going!
You’ll see that I’ve started off a few. You can find them under Cloth Diapering, Recipes, General gardening topics and Sources for real food. But please, don’t be shy in creating your own topics!
Then get ready to have some fun!
I can’t wait to see some conversations get started, and to be able to connect with many of you more through the forum!
As well, when I feel that it’s appropriate I will occasionally start a new forum topic as a spinoff of a blog post. I’ll do this when I feel that it’s a particularly important topic or when there’s lots of conversation happening in the comments and I think that it could be furthered in the forum.
Now go check out the forum! I’ll see you there! 🙂
Yea! I am so excited for this! I was hoping this was coming. Thanks 🙂
Very exciting!!
I was just browsing around and thought maybe it would be nice if you had an intro catagory where we could let people know who we are.
.-= Suzanne´s last blog ..WIP Progress =-.
Ok Stephanie… I jumped in!!! I’m excited too!
.-= Babychaser´s last blog ..New Shoes =-.
I’m excited too! Thank you! 🙂
Just joined! I agree with Suzanne, maybe an intro thread so we can get to know each other.
.-= The Working Home Keeper´s last blog ..Market Day – October 24th =-.
Stephanie,
i have followed you for over a year and i love your blog. i am so thankful that you are starting this. do you have any opposition to posting a blog entry link if it is a relevant link to the topic that is being discussed in the forum? let me know. I have quite a few entries that would be applicable to some of your topics. have a great day!
Le
This is a good idea. I already belong to such a forum & there is so much good info available. Here is the link: http://www.hawkeshealth.net/community/index.php However, you won’t reach it currently as they have exceeded their bandwidth (whatever that means) & won’t be up until Nov 1. Lots of good info there.
Good luck with yours. I’m sure you’ll have fun with it. 🙂
.-= Kathryn´s last blog ..It’s going to be another long day =-.
Sounds neat! This will take some discipline though LOL
Suzanne and Working Home Keeper, great suggestion. I will add that to the forum as soon as I get a chance!
And definitely please give me suggestions of what you’d like to see in the forum! I am very open to ideas! 🙂
Domestic Chick, I don’t have any problem with links to your blog/site if you’re a participating member and posting things that are relevant and truly add to the conversation or offer important information that others would appreciate. Great question- thanks for asking!
Oh, I am so excited about this! What a great idea.
Just went and checked it all out.
Hmmmm….not sure how this would work but I have some questions about homeschooling that I don’t know where to put them.I guess they could be sort of a sensitive topic- asking questions about why moms homeschool and my fears surrounding it. Right now we sort of homeschool….well we do for my 3 year old but my husband isn’t commited to it long term, although open to the idea. As for now we are homeschooling for a few years at least. I have several questions to ask but am unsure where to put them since it would be a catergory there for someone who is not really yet homeschooling but would like to be. Maybe “not homeschooling but want to be” or something…can’t think of a good title…you are good at that! Just a suggestion or perhaps you could guide me to the right place to post my questions.
@Nola, Maybe I need to have a more general board for home schooling topics. That’s good to know. I’ll try to add it today.
For your specific question, I think the title you came up with would work. Or maybe “Desire to homeschool, but lots of questions still…”. That makes me think that maybe I should start a board for those thinking about homeschooling. Yes?
Thanks for the insight. Check back later today, ok? 🙂
Wow, I’m in! this is a great addition to your already lovely blog!
Yahoo! Way to go Stephanie. I’m headed over there…
.-= The Cottage Comtesse @ River Rock Cottage´s last blog ..Food, Inc. on DVD =-.
Wow, you have been busy my friend. I had no idea!
How did you keep all this to yourself…the book, forums etc. You must have been so excited:o)
I plan to check out the forum when I get the time.
See ya tonight…I hope.
What a great idea. I’ll be over there soon!
Sandy
Good for you, taking on such a big project! Great idea!
.-= Marci@OvercomingBusy´s last blog ..Wasting Time =-.
This is a huge blessing for me! I live in a tiny town in Europe and don’t really have any Christian friends here. All my good friends are in the States and have children. The nine hour time change doesn’t make it easy to have chats about marriage, children, cleaning-house, spiritual things, etc… I was just saying yesterday how I wished there was a place where other mothers, Christian women could post things like good encouraging books, their own experiences, cleaning ideas, recipes, etc… and then I came to your blog and noticed this new forum. I am very grateful for this wonderful source (even if it’s via internet)!
I am new to your blog (just found it this past week!) and I am so glad to see the forum you created. I’ve really been enjoying your blog, looking forward to taking part in the forum.