I’m in the middle of some remodeling as you can tell. The plan is to lighten it up here some and make it easier to navigate . I really want to work on getting resources front and center.
As such, I’m revisiting something that I get asked about a lot, forums. They are a lot of work but I know they are also beneficial. It gives everyone another way to interact and commiserate.
However, my biggest issue with forums is that they MUST stay a positive influence. Which is where the forum community itself has to really step up and take responsibility. Now I know that life is not all roses and chocolates, but I wouldn’t be able to handle a place that everyone only came to complain. As a moderator for other boards we always implemented a rule that for any negative(ish) post, you had to post a positive post to balance it out. It’s amazing how much that can help everyone. Especially once you get your vent out of the way and are already on your way to feeling better.
So I’m putting it to the community here as a poll and it’s going to take a LOT of replies for me to even think of putting the time into it. I have to know they would be visited and posted to. Let me know how you feel about a firefighter wife forum you could visit 24/7.
If I do get a lot of positive response then I’ll also be looking for a couple of women to help moderate. So if you are interested in helping send me a line contact @ firefighterwife.com just take the spaces out. No pay for moderators at this time, but who knows down the road? We can hope right 
[poll id="3"]
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Latest posts by HotWife (see all)
- An Important Update From Val - May 17, 2012
- Cooking While They Work - May 8, 2012
- What a Week - May 5, 2012
Trina
I find myself pulling away from forums. Sometimes because I find that I can’t relate to the more active members, sometimes I just don’t have time to spend playing catch up on all the discussions to be active and sound intelligent about the topic at hand.
But, whatever you decide, I am so certain you will be helping so many families involved in this crazy life! <3
HotWife
I understand that. I only have one forum I visit anymore and that is a private-membership only, womens business forum. I dropped the rest of them, BUT that had to do a lot with how the quality of the forums was. Which is why I put the poll up. If we can’t keep it quality then I won’t even want to go there lol
Trina
All very true. Most of what I encountered was girlfriends upset over time away, which is valid concern from where they are. But for me, I have 4 kids and can’t relate to their discussions. Before the muppets, I think I would have been in LOVE with this lifestyle, but I married an elementary teacher. From where I stand, when you start dating a FF, you agree to work with the schedule and the life. But, I am an old lady, so my perspective is different.
Val, no matter what, I am certain you will do a great job with it. Your sites are always great.
HotWife
Trina, I totally agree as that was a big reason why I couldn’t bring myself to join in conversations. A lot of negative and a lot less wives. The only way I’d want to do it is a lot more positive and a lot more wives. Not to exclude anyone with resources BUT it’s what my focus is obviously
Over the years I’ve seen the difference in how women react to situations because of their status as wife or girlfriend. I’ve never been a girlfriend of a FF so I can only help in a generic way with that.
Trina
Okay, after the “discussion” over the various perceptions on the FB page, I am going to change my vote and say I would LOVE for you to host a forum. I get cranky far too easily when people get self-righteous. If you can’t laugh at yourself, then I don’t want to hang out with you. Words I live by. LOL
HotWife
It took every bit of willpower for me not to hit unsubscribe immediately from the group. That’s exactly how I was treated day after day, after week when I stopped going a few years ago to the forums. HOWEVER, every time it’s happpened I have “met” new friends through it. So I’ll take the positive. Angry people suck. If I hadn’t had to run out the door to take a friend to a post-op appointment I would have put the forums up that minute out of spite. lol
And I just went there to find out that more drama had gone on. Hmm, Trina I may just have to get it going this week so I can chat with the friends I’ve made around the world that we could lose over one mean person there. Let me see how much work I get done today that’s actually on my list before I add more.
HotWife
Scratch that. Software is installed. Off to go teach my seniors class and then I’ll get them up and running. Even if it’s just a few of us I’d prefer having the friendly environment to chat quickly in.
Plus on a selfish note, it will give me more blog post ideas
Shari
Hi. I ran across this site couple weeks ago and was hopin to find some answers to help me better cope with something’s. I have a boyfriend who is a volunteer firefighter, and I could not be more proud. But that saying there are little issues that maybe other girlfriends or wives of fire fighters can help me with. I have wrote one message for help, and I would really like to partake in forums as well. I think a lot of people can benefit from it…. Please let me know/
HotWife
Hi Shari, glad you found the site. Just wanted to let you know that I did get your comment form and am working on catching up on those today. So posts will go out this week.
I would say that there are very few issues one of us hasn’t had to deal with over the many years experience we have in the paid and volunteer dept’s as being wives around here. I’ll work on your comment form right now and get back to you when I have a post up
Sharie
Thank you so much. I think I come and check this page everyday and read the stories and stuff.
looking forward to more of them.
Trina
Did I break the forum? I think I am breaking everything else lately.
HotWife
Nope, I must have when I was updating. Off to fix. HAPPY MONDAY!
lolol
HotWife
It’s all better now. Was trying to do too much last night I think. lol Thank you for letting me know Trina.
Trina Halsey - mfd_wife
Anytime!