Hellobee Boards

@avivoca: Hi friend! Miss you around these parts! We did discuss of this was a sign it was time for us to step away from HB.... which is sad because I’ve gotten some amazing friends out of it that I talk to daily.

Obviously I co-sign

I haven't read all of the posts but I just read the two you linked. I do find them to be heading down a path that isn't for me. It feels judgmental. Dropping in that kids are going to think parents are liars because we have perpetuated the concept of Christmas spirit and Santa? Holy extreme mom-shaming beliefs.

I always thought blog posts were supposed to offer a diverse and varied experience of parenthood. So These posts are reflective of Judy’s world view and parenting experience, not reflective of a position Hellobee is promoting or a “direction they are going”, any more than previous posts about IVF or breastfeeding or donor eggs or naming ceremonies—although I personally may have experienced some/none of those things in my parenting journey, it’s sometimes interesting to see their people’s world views.

Obviously as a public school educator I disagree with the factory comment, but it doesn’t upset me. Many people who aren’t closely connected to public schooling in recent years are probably unaware of changes in “traditional schooling” and st the same time I realize there are huge regional disparities in public education and I feel like some people have very legitimate gripes with the public education they are offered.

Anyway, I’m still up for diverse opinions and world views on blog posts—I don’t need every post to reflect my own personal opinion or experience. Sure a few caveats like “for my own family, we prefer...” are more socially accepted in women’s blogs, but hey, that’s what comments sections are for, to voice your opinion, right?

I am not a huge fan of her posts either. Something I like about Hellobee is that it's welcoming for normal, average families. I really like some of the ideas that she espouses, and I don't want to speak for everyone, but I think for many of us they're somewhat unattainable (especially the one about the schools--I agree with comments on that stating it would have been much more useful to arm us with things we can do with our kids at home, or even suggestions for working with your current school, which some of you offered to me a few weeks back in response to my anxieties about our schooling situation), and for me at least that can contribute to mom guilt/anxiety. I don't feel that she's mom shaming at all--I get the sense that she has the means and ability (whatever that entails) to live a very nice life and she's telling us about it. I think there is a place for idealism, like on her regular blog, and I would prefer if Hellobee stuck to realism and bloggers/posts that can speak to the larger audience. But like @anagram said, I like hearing about diverse views--there has just been such an inundation of Judy's posts.

I agree with @Anagram.
Her point of view is definitely different from mine, but I just choose not to read her posts, or I read them and just agree to disagree.

I agree about the tone. My guess is it’s not necessarily intentional but more just someone who will contribute at a time when the blog needed filling? And maybe would have been fine in a single post called out as opinion but on repeat is more of an issue. I think it’s worth bringing it up.

And side note I also loved the gift guides!!

So I just read the Santa one and I'm not seeing the parent-shaming that others are mentioning? She quoted a couple other people as being against "lying" about Santa, but then goes on to say that she feels it's a personal decision each family should make for themselves. Her family obviously leaned towards not doing Santa, and maybe those other people she quoted influenced that decision, but it doesn't sound like she's judging others who choose differently.

@Anagram: I agree with you.

I haven't thought that deeply about the "controversial" posts. I try to comment on every single blog post to show my appreciation at how hard all bloggers work and I actually really appreciate a lot of her posts about her divorce because of how raw/real they are. I do also appreciate"something different", and I read everything at my own risk anyway. Also her guest spot is coming to an end either this month or next month, FYI cause I had asked and Mrs Bee responded.

I also skip Judy's posts. Not my style.

BUT! Just came here to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the seasoned bloggers who are writing posts for us, the bloggers that are engaging with our community on the boards (@Mrs. Carrot: ), and to the new blogger(s) who are contributing at a time where many have stepped away. It's so nice to see the site coming back to life. I'm sure there are quite a few bloggers who just don't write posts anymore due to the hiatus. They might come back, or new bloggers might be introduced. I think Judy's posts are filler for now, or she would have just been introduced as another new blogger. In fact, I think NOT introducing her as a new blogger is quite indicative that it is NOT necessarily "the way that HB is going to go". Why make her a "guest" vs a permanent fixture if that was the case?

RE: the Santa post. I did read that one because I'm terribly undecided on how my family is going to do Santa. I agree that it was biased towards her view, but I do appreciate that she tried to offer a different perspective (even in passing).

My impression is that this was content taken from the blogger's personal blog, and so they were not written with the hellobee audience in mind... also why there have been SOOOO many of her posts lately.

I do not identify with her world view and stopped reading her content after the first few posts. I love @ChiCalGoBee: 's idea to open up to regular posters for content. Although that would require interacting with the community on the boards, which isn't something the bees seem to do anymore.

Agree with most of what's been said and I also just skip it. I don't believe her posts add anything positive to the site but hadn't thought about the idea of her putting off new readers. It definitely feels like an overabundance of posts.

Would love to hear more from current HB bloggers or posters! I feel like a new blogger or 3 from the boards would be so welcomed (by the community, at least) if anyone is willing.

I also think if people would like to show appreciation and support the "in-house" bloggers, please take time to comment. I see bloggers write such lengthy posts with photos and sometimes just getting a few comments.

The first few posts of hers I read, and they did strike me as odd in tone and content. I couldn’t relate and I didn’t enjoy it. But I have just skipped all of the following posts.

@snowjewelz: I am not great about commenting on blogs but I agree, commenting is a great way to show support to those you are interested in. I'm going to try to make more of an effort. Perhaps if we all become more involved in the types of posts we'd like to see we'll receive more of that content.

I’ve yet to read anything on the HelloBee Blog that offends or concerns me. I come here to read about other women’s perspectives and experiences and I expect that the content (which I take with a grain of salt) will provide an array of ideological stances. Moreover, while I appreciate that HelloBee is in a major sense a communal space, I also recognize that this website is Mrs. And Mr. Bee’s brainchild. It’s in their purview to post anything they want, whenever they want, written by whomever they chose. Finally, I think we need to respect that we’re all fragile. The Bee’s have had a tough year. Judy is learning how to be a single parent. They’re helping each other out by sharing content/blog space. This is what friends do… this is what this community is supposed to do… support one another during difficult times. We’re not perfect people, and neither are the Bees or Judy. We need to give one another the space to be imperfect humans.

@Blythe: This.

@Blythe: this

Hellobee was never meant to be a website where everyone shared the same parenting philosophy. The bloggers have always been very diverse, and i'm pretty sure there have been posts covering very controversial topics or providing a viewpoint with which i completely disagreed. Also, i see blog posts as opinion pieces only, not something for me to take as fact.

It would be more effective to voice your disagreement with the blogger on a specific post or write the Bees directly.

@snowjewelz: Just popping in to say that as a new blogger, I really appreciate each of your thoughtful comments of support. Parenting blogging is very new for me--I am used to writing in chronic illness circles--but am super thankful for those who have welcomed me here.