I've lurked on the board for years. Probably close to a decade, actually! haha
I'm 21 and I don't have any kids.
Growing up my dad was emotionally and mentally abusive. My mom neglected me sometimes. Anyway, I was often told I'd never amount to anything, no guy would ever want me and, I'd never be a good parent and if I miraculously did find a guy who'd want me I'd just have my kids taken away from me.After being told all those things for years I began researching parenting stuff. I decided I'd adopt if no guy ever wanted me and I researched ( still do) all the time on parenting techniques, pregnancy, etc. My research led me here amoun gother places but I was an avid reader of this message board for years and i still check in but there aren't many people around anymore.
The point of me revealing so much is that this message board has helped me sooo much and it gave me hope that I'd find a great guy and that I could find a way to be a great parent too, despite what my parents said. I read about people on here that had childhoods that weren't ideal or found a lot of Mr Wrongs before Mr Right came along.
I hope this doesn't freak anyone out. I have nothing but respect for you all! I wanted to join before but I had dial up ( I now have wireless yaaay!) and i was afraid you'd be offended that I read into your personal lives on here or I don't know...that you just wouldn't like it! I've been here through lots of your pregnancies, marriages, break ups, and your kids milestones. I prayed, cried, laughed... but never posted. I guess I could be considered some sort of stalker but I assure you I just lurked to learn and I've learned so much from you guys!
I just wanted to say how much this board means to me and that you guys have meant a lot to me as well.
Thanks so much. I hope you don't mind me hanging around... and finally posting!! lol
Sincerely, Wildflower09 aka Cassaundra
When you do have kids some day I hope you come back and let us know about it... hopefully there will still be a couple of us around. If we're not here then I'd recommend finding another board or linking up with a group of parents in real life for support, because no matter how good of a parent you are it's always so helpful to have other parents to bounce your questions off of and vent to when needed! 