IMP, gotta say that I agree with you...there are professionals and those that are not professionals on this board. And yes, I have sought both out for advice and have listened to counsel from both camps.
I don't remember if RCR put herself out there as an "expert"...I personally liked her threads. I knew she was not a professional so I took her advice with a grain of salt---as a person striving to find answers with eagerness to share with all.
Too bad that some people have been banned.
I think it's important for us to remember that this board is for support...and if you want advice from a counselor, then you need to make an appointment with a counselor...the 800 number here is as big as day and worth the money if you are truly interested.
But going back to my point, this board is for SUPPORT. Can I say that loud enough???
I came here to vent, to ask questions, to get input from others going through the same thing...I did not come here to be judged or called names by other people or to be told what i was doing is "wrong" unless I do it their way.
Despite all the banned people, the ugly, mean threads and the light, silly and fun ones...I still find comfort on this board and feel that for the newcomers, this is still a place of great support and understanding in our otherwise crazy lives.
Peeps, sometimes what you need is to hear the hard things, sometimes you need jokes...and sometimes that is all in one thread! We are going through a life changing event...and that is serious...but we cannot be lost in all that seriousness all the time or we will lose the ability to appreciate the birds in the sky or laughter of children or, GASP!, your OWN laughter...
I forgot the point I was making...suffice to say...I have been truly thankful that this board is here...in whatever level it has evolved into...we should know by now that things never remain the same.
And that may be a good thing.
Peace, Valentine
Aug '06: H moved out July '08: H had a kid with the OW May 12 '09: emancipation day
"Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." -Ferris Bueller