Welcome to Gaia! ::

No current or future parents. This one should be obvious. This guild is a refuge for the childfree, not a debate forum. Here, we have no need to explain, defend, or justify ourselves. We're not going to change our minds, and we don't need you to point out the error of our ways. We've heard it all before, and we're sick of it. We come here to get away from it. So please, keep it away from us.

No complaining about posts being "off-topic." Nothing is off-topic here, except for things that nobody in a childfree forum would post about anyway.

No trolling parenting guilds. Hopefully this rule isn't necessary, but just in case, consider this your first and only warning. We want them to respect our space, and we should extend them the same courtesy. There is no reason for any member of this guild to post in a parenting guild at all, unless they're a) trolling, or b) lying to either us or them about their childfree or parental status. And in either case, they're not wanted here. They will be banned quickly and without sorrow.

No being a little s**t. Serious, committed childfree teenagers are welcome, but they will be held to the same standards of maturity as everyone else. Juvenile posturing is not going to fly here. Keep in mind that many -- perhaps most -- members of this guild do not like children. Acting like one won't win you any friends.

New! Due to a few recent complaints, a new rule is being added: While nothing is considered "off-topic" here, please have a topic of some kind. New threads and posts in existing threads that don't seem to have a point will be deleted, and repeat offenders will be warned. Also, please use proper English to the best of your ability. Nobody's perfect, and no one is going to hold occasional spelling and grammar errors against you, but I've seen a bit of "cutesy," intentionally incorrect grammar here and there, and quite frankly, it's annoying. Remember, this is the Childfree guild. Please don't type like a child.

These rules are open to revision and suggestion. Feel free to leave your comments below.

If it is possible to do at this point, I would recommend disallowing posting by non-members. Unless someone banned him or something we have already had one person, Armed to the Teeth, break the rule about acting like a little s**t. I think as this guild grows we may get more and more of these people (not to mention possible people from parental guilds trolling here). Anyway, just a suggestion. sweatdrop

EDIT: ok, I just read about him being banned. However, with the way the guild is set up right now I think he could come back and post anyway. I have found members-only "private" guilds are easier to maintain. If someone wants to start something they have to be let in the guild first and then it's an easy matter to get rid of them.

That's not really what I am talking about. I am fine with non-members lurking, but as it stands right now they can actually POST (double checked this with a mule to make sure). I just fear some people from a parental guild will come in and start making "You'll change your minds" threads and also immature little shits like Armed to the Teeth posting.

With "private" you can read the posts but you cannot post yourself. With "hidden" you can only read the front page.

I could argue a few reasons to go to parenting threads.

I used to work in childcare for two years. Taking care of other people's children made me decide not to have children. However, not all people that chose to be childfree dislike children. I like to support people that chose to have chidlren as well, as if people chose to have a child it's not a easy choice, and it's not an easy task. I don't plan on having kids or working in childcare ever again, but I do like to occasionally give a parent a tip or two to help them with the "terrible twos"... (or should I say the terrible 1-12's?). After all, if I tell them a simple way to deal with their two year old, then I don't have to listen to them whine.