Guidelines and Rules for an Effective Parenting Online Support Group

1. ALL EMAILS NEED TO BE PARENTING RELATED: Before you send a post, ask: Does this entry directly address a parenting issue? We may be inclined to think anything we write about is parenting related; but NCBP’s goal is to ensure each post either deepens someone’s understanding of a specific aspect of parenting or asks a parenting-related question. If your post doesn’t fit this criteria, then it probably falls under sharing an opinion or sharing of events in your life and does not belong in this support group dialogue.

2. INDIVIDUAL VS. GROUP EMAILS: Most of the email dialogue will be sent to all members of the group but you are able to dialogue privately with another member. All email addresses will be available to other members of the group. Before posting an email to the entire group, analyze whether it is pertinent to the whole group or if it should be sent directly to an individual.

3. CONFIDENTIALITY: Never share a member's post with someone outside of the group, including family members, prayer partners, etc, without first obtaining the posting member's permission.

4. SUBJECT LINES: Before you click "Send" make sure the Subject Line of your email reflects its content or what issue you’re addressing. Several discussions may be going on at the same time, so be careful to label your response.

5. NO-MAIL/AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER MESSAGES: Please don’t leave away messages on your email when you aren’t checking email. These automatic response emails tie up the loop unnecessarily. Also, please do not send “testing” emails through the loop.

6. OPINION POSTS: Please use a polite and respectful tone when posting. There are a lot of ways to parent well and children are all unique. Don't exaggerate your opinion or impose your successes on others. You may have some helpful ideas but share them humbly.

7. SOLICITATION/MAIL-LIST: To maintain the integrity of the online support group, do not use our online group for anything other than the Effective Parenting Support Group. This includes personal newsletters, soliciting for personal business, etc. 

8. PRAYER REQUESTS: Prayer requests are welcome and encouraged. Praying for each other is part of the support we do together.

9. YOUR GROUP MAIL MANAGEMENT: At any time you may ask to be removed from the group, stop receiving email for a time, or change your email address. To make any of these changes or to report any abuse or concern about the group you may contact parent@biblicalparenting.org.

10. DISCIPLINE: The moderator from time to time may offer a reminder to a member whose post violates the guidelines, spirit, or purpose of the group. If you feel that some dialogue about that reminder is helpful, please work offline with the moderator privately for a discussion. A person may be removed from the loop at any time for inappropriate posts.