ArizonaMoms.com was created as a place where local moms can find things to do with their children. It’s also a place to get and share parenting tips, quick recipes, the latest news in kids’ entertainment, health/nutrition information and more. We’ve set up chats where moms can connect, share advice, find answers to questions and just talk about topics relevant to their lives as moms and women. We aren’t forgetting about dads. We encourage you to participate in chats, too.
We ask only that participants do not fill the chats with blatant and gratuitous advertising. We suggest if you have something to advertise that you use our classified advertising site or consider using banner advertising. Posts that look like advertisements will be taken down immediately.
The site is moderated by the editor, Yvette Armendariz, and busy mom reporter, Karina Bland. While we regularly monitor content, ArizonaMoms.com is a community discussion site that is governed by its users. Community members are expected to show respect for each other and for the opinions or information posted. Community members are encouraged to post discussions that are informative, supportive and entertaining.
This site is intended for grown-up conversation. Discussions on ArizonaMoms.com have included college savings, toddler tantrums, weight loss, raising special-needs children and education. It’s your community, so talk about topics that interest you. Know that not every discussion on the site will fall in line with your values, morals or lifestyles. Our suggestion is to look for topics that you can relate to and ignore those that don’t.
When you post something, be aware that you can receive all kinds of feedback. While we as parents do have differing opinions, please focus your responses on the topic rather than turning it personal. Vulgar, obscene and/or gratuitous comments will be removed immediately.
Since the site’s inception in mid March, there have been thousands of conversations started and more than 1.5 million page views. We now enter a new stage for the site, with new software that will help you find the latest and most active chats. All parents are encouraged to participate in ArizonaMoms.com.
Q: I thought I registered, but I haven't received my password
A: Sometimes our automated password emails get blocked. Check your junk mail basket. If you still haven’t received it contact azmoms@azcentral.com. Include your user name, and we will reset your password and send it to you.
Q: How do I start a discussion?
A: Click the “mom to mom” link at the top of the home page or other pages on the site and you’ll be taken to the main forums page. To create a new forum topic, click the “Post new forum topic” link on that page and then fill in the “Subject” field, select a category from the “Forums” pulldown and then fill in the “Body” area. Be sure to click "submit" at the bottom of the page. You should see your discussion pop up on the homepage.
Q: How do I change my password or other information in my profile?
A: Click on "My Account" on the homepage. This takes you to your user profile, where you click on "Edit." Depending on the information you want to change, you can make changes on this page or click on "Personal Information" and make changes on that page.
Q: Can other users see my personal information in my profile?
A: No. Only you and site administrators (Yvette and Karina) can see your personal information. (To check, click on Yvette's or Karina's profile. The information listed is the same as what other users can see in your profile).
Q: How safe is the environment on ArizonaMoms.com?
A: While we do everything in our power to provide a safe environment, you have no way of truly knowing whom you are communicating with on a Web site. Please use caution in sharing any personal information (we strongly discourage the sharing of personal e-mail addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, etc.) with anyone you do not know and have not met. If you plan a playgroup meeting or other gathering, please meet in a public place where other people will be present. We also encourage you to be guarded in the amount of information you share about your children.
Q: What action should I take if I am verbally attacked or threatened, or spammed?
A: Immediately contact Yvette and/or Karina by sending a Private Message. Personal attacks will not be tolerated. If you think someone is phishing (trying to get you to give them information such as user names, passwords or other sensitive information) or spamming (unsolicited bulk mailings) on the site, please alert the administrators right away.
Q: What happens when a comment is flagged?
A: You should flag a comment when it contains offensive language, is a personal attack or is in some other way inappropriate for the site. When you flag a comment, Yvette and Karina receive a notification e-mail. They review the flagged comment and determine whether to unflag it, delete it or leave it flagged. Flagged comments sometimes remain on the site because they have the potential to be offensive to some members, but not to the greater community.
Q: What's the best way to handle a discussion that is becoming heated?
A: Walk away. When it becomes obvious that a poster is not willing to be open minded and accepting of others' opinions, it is pointless to continue the discussion. Walking away also gives you time to calm down and get your emotions in check, so that you do not post a comment that you'll later regret.
Q: How can I locate a discussion that was posted awhile back?
A: The best way is through the search tool. Enter a key word from the discussion, and you will get a list of discussions containing that word. If you know which channel it was posted in, you also can check the channel directory.
Q: Can I delete one of my posts
A: Yes. If it is a discussion that you started, then you can delete it at any time. Go to the discussion and then click "edit" under the ArizonaMoms.com logo at the top left of the page. Scroll to the bottom of the page and hit "delete." Then, confirm that you want to delete the post.
Q: How do I delete my account?
A: You can send a private message to Yvette or Karina, and we will delete your account for you. We prefer to handle these requests in private, rather than in the forums. If you post a discussion saying you are leaving the site and want to delete your account, then we consider that a written request and we will delete your account and the discussion immediately.
