Darren...I'm Appalled...

..that you would let your 9 year old daughter join this site? even..as she stated on her profile..under supervision....how could you do that? She's 9 years old man....

Hellon, We have 1 computer in the house, She is only ever going to be on her with me.

She is not allowed on the computer on her own,

also

She will not view any forums or discussions.
I check all her messages and comments before she is allowed to see them.

the point of letting her own here is to learn about poetry and to continue to write poetry and to gauge opinion by others, on her poetry.

She started writing poetry at school, she wrote the morpho butterfly when she was 8.

however I do appreciate your concern.

IMO..she's too young to be on here and really..will she gain an honest comment?....I was halfway through a comment on her snake haiku then stopped because I didn't want the little lass crying all night...she's too young for honest critique..too young for this site Darren....

Mods...do we actually have an age when members can join here?

Is there any need to give a 9 yr old harsh criticism?

I am quite capable myself to teach her what is good and what isn't.

The snake haiku was broken down from a longer poem she wrote.
It was just an excercise in writing a haiku, specifically the syllable count and the different last line to the first two.
She has never written a Haiku before or even knew what one was.

I am interested what other people on this site think of this decision to let her join this community.

Opinions are opinions right?

When you post a poem on here you are up for critique...harsh or otherwise...the matter is no longer in the poets hands but..when you see that the poet is 9 years old as is boldly shown yes....you will be lenient...it's natural...she's a kid after all but...to be lenient is just being kind..not necessarily being honest so....she may not learn from the comment she receivesw now as a 9 year old...

To be fair, this site may be about honest critique, but how often does that really happen?

I think if you read hers you need to read it in the context that she is 9.

How many 9 year olds can describe rain as 'the heaven weeping bitterly'?

She likes reading other peoples poems also, (she is restricted to nature poems that I have proof read) She enjoys commenting on them.

As a father it is my job to nuture her, she has talent, she also can learn so much.

By using this site it makes it more fun for her than sitting down with a text book.

I totally support that.
It's very useful to her to be in such a poetry website (of course without the forums :p), so if you are supervising her, it's okay!

And... her presence is totally cute :D

Thanks LP, nice to have some support.

Well...as Isaid I stopped halfway through my honest critique when I remembered her age...as you know....I'm very frank in my comments and...I didn't want to upset her.

By using this site it makes it more fun for her than sitting down with a text book.

^^^

Crap!...makes it easier for you I reckon....harsh again yes, but....yeah..IMO true!

I don't understand why this wasn't a PM?? Why open a thread just to call one person out?.....smh.

It's good to debate sometimes, until it becomes nasty, which I suppose is a forgone conclusion in the forums recently

Edit: My point is made

Why don't you just go back in your box and write some more sad poems for you know who...and don't worry about what I say until you're over it Chels...

I'm concerned about the age of this child....I approached her father here....why would I pm him? I've put something up for the mods to answer regarding the joining age on here because....I don't think there is one right now so...maybe something to consider....I'm being upfront with my comments.

"Mods...do we actually have an age when members can join here?"

^Not that I'm aware of. On your profile it asks for your age and you're given the option of 1-99. When registering to the site nothing states you must be of a certain age, only the explict section requires you to be 18 years or over.

For me this comes down to individual parenting decisions. I don't think Darren should have to explain his himself on the main boards (unless he wants to) but instead this thread should be a discussion about what age is right for a child/person to join the site.

One other thing,

She wants to share her poetry, you cannot do that with a textbook.

Out of my three children she can take criticism, she is professional coached at tennis, so she takes a lot of harsh criticism from her coach and learns from it.

She is a mature 9 year old, (don't even start with the 'let her have a childhood bullshit')

Hahahahahahahaha! I love how you think you know so much about me through my poetry and who I'm writing for when in fact you have no clue. Good dig Hellon, good one

You are so rude and make it very hard for me to not insert inappropriate words, but you give me excellent practice at taming my tongue.

Thank you Mel!! Darren should not be reprimanded over his parenting style in a main forum, if you have a question as to the site as a whole when it comes to age, it should have been a thread to the mods, not targeting a member.

Cute class.

I don't think there should be an age limit....

I think the smallest members here are like, what? 11? 12?

Below 11 years, no children log in to PnQ alone. I mean, who is this genius kid who will type in google: Poetry Websites, just to post his poems? They wouldn't discover it until late, for sure..

In this case of Darren's 9 yrs old daughter, she is not the one who discovered the site. Her father showed her to it. And he is supervising her. And I think that's not wrong at all. In fact, if I were Darren's child, I would be proud of him...

There are no fathers who tell their children, "Hey C'mon, I have poetry webs to show you..."! ... Instead... they usually say, "Don't show me your face.. Go play with the dirt outside..." lol

-----
Also, there are members who do not show their ages. So if a child has 0 age like many active members, how would you know his/her age?!

'I am interested what other people on this site think of this decision to let her join this community.'

^^
Since you asked, I personally think she is too young and if I had a 9yr old I wouldn't allow them to join up to this poetry site, or other sites such as facebook, twitter, etc. where unidentified adults can interact with her. I think there are better ways in which she can learn about poetry, doesn't have to be a member of this site to write a poem, and posting her poems on your account might be the better option in my opinion. But having said that I also think that it is your decision and that it should be respected.

"Crap!...makes it easier for you I reckon....harsh again yes, but....yeah..IMO true!"

How does it make it easier for him? He's sitting down with her and teaching her. And maybe she wants to share her poetry with a community? That's probably up to the parent and kid.

Perhaps she isn't up for harsh criticisms...I've seen full grown people on this site piss and moan in the forums over harsh criticisms (I laughed a lot, too). It's not an age thing, it's an experience thing. Introducing this stuff to her at a young age will only get her used to it early, and what's better than that?

Plus this is a good way to introduce her to the internet.

Regardless, you should probably just accept that this is hardly any of your business, Hellon. Pretty sure that it's up to Darren whether or not his child comes on PnQ. If he's supervising her I don't see what the concern is.

She cannot interact with adults, I vet everything.

I have three children, none of them have

mobile phones, facebook or twitter.

She uses computers at school, she is learning poetry on here and navigation and typing.

Plus and most importantly This is father and daughter time doing something together we both enjoy.

The only members she has spoken to (whilst with me) are Maple tree, Kate, Wildflower, pinky princess (sara) meme, Aubreynicole.

She doesn't even know the log in details or password for this site.

I appreciate the debate though.
But as Mel states, it should really be a debate about the age that is acceptable to join this site, not about my daughter.

Because at the end of the day, I am her father and I will do what the hell I like.

woo hoo

Jordan...at 9 year of age what were you doing? Darren...I will ask you the same question?

Hellon one thing for you
time changes and so do people =)

and I agree with Abed there shouldn't be any age to log on here
lets assume a 9 year old child want to join here to post his-her poetry, what is the big deal about it??

and Darren I agree with you and with Jordan too, this is a good way to teach her how to use internet and for her to get used to typing =)

I don't know but what does that matter? I didn't have the internet when I was 9, so that's not an option for discussion.

My parents didn't have many restrictions on what I could watch on television, movies, and video games so there's that (an old but good debate topic lol). Basically they respected me and knew that I was smart to know the difference between film and reality.

Again, I just don't see the point in this discussion. Lol, you trying to be mama Hellon here or something?

"Because at the end of the day, I am her father and I will do what the hell I like."

Hehe tell 'em, Darren.

'She doesn't even know the log in details or password for this site.'

^^
That's a good idea, keep it that way. The main thing I'd be afraid of is a 9yr old logging in if you're not around, but it's good that that couldn't happen. Don't forget there are some pretty heavy/adult-themed poems on here too.

Anyway as I said its your decision and you are going about it the right way, its just not something I'd personally do.

It is nigh on impossible to agree on an age that is appropriate to join this site at, and would be impossible to police.

Haha Max, you reminded me of a local TV commercial where a teenager is behind the computer nagging about her parents who always tell her: We used to have fun while solving math problems... do this.. don't do that... why Whatsapp and facebook? why internet? We were always the 1st on our class... etc :p

The time before is totally different from the time now. That's why this comparison between WE WERE, and YOU ARE will always be invalid.

When I was 9.........mmmmmm

I used to knock on old peoples doors call them silly old bastards and leg it, 1 day an old man followed me for about 2 hours.
I used to throw stones at windows, we would garden hop, (jumping over hedges etc)
My mum would slap my arse often, because I was a little sod. We didn't have the internet or video games, we didn't have much money.
(I was stripped naked xmas day so that I had something to play with.....joking!!)

3 years later at the ripe old age of 12, I was getting up to no good with girls.

So in contrast, my 9 year old plays tennis at competitive standard and writes poetry. (the haiku is not her best, but I think her other three show promise)

I just asked her if she wants to be on here, she said yes, this was her choice.

thanks to everyone who supports my decision and those that don't thanks for your POV.

Again, I just don't see the point in this discussion. Lol
^^^^

Why join in then Jordan?

Yes...make fun of my age... Mama Hellon etc but....with age comes experience lad and....it's nice to see that Colm....being a young lad himself can see the possible dangers of having a 9 year old on this site.....cheers Colm!

"Again, I just don't see the point in this discussion. Lol
^^^^

Why join in then Jordan?"

That's a good point. I'll retract that statement.

I'm not making fun of your age. I'm questioning why you're butting into relatively harmless affairs involving a child that isn't yours.

Lol Darren!! hahah, that arse slapping, I got it 242432 times. I was like you :p

Throwing watermelon slices into neighbors' cars, ringing the doorbells and running away.... I went out the borders of my neighborhood once and got lost in another town!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cried for hours, then a man found me and returned me home.

Ughh... these days :')

No...damn it Jordan..put the age thing right back in there....I don't mind it now....I'm a grandmother of 6...I watch the oldest on his ds. I've mentioned this before and...it breaks my heart....he's six years old....should be out swimming or something...that's why I asked what you were doing aged 9...I'm not saying Darren shoul'dn't encourage his daughter to write....she's just too young to be on this site in my opinion.

"I cried for hours, then a man found me and returned me home. "

Hahahahaha that's awesome.

Yeah, that's fine, Hellon. If you're worried about what your grand kids are doing. I mean, they're your grand kids after all.

I realize that it's your opinion, all I'm doing is debating your opinion, not attacking you personally. Don't worry about it.

Jordan...having 6 grandchildren to deal with you can totally be sure that I do not loose any sleep over you or anyone else debating my opinion..but what I would suggest for those of you supporting Darren here....you don't have any children yet yourselves so....please keep this debate in mind for your future...

Jordan, I still remember that day very very well, with all of its details. It was scary like hell :'(

That man was with his wife. They were going into the car, so I begged them to take me home. They asked about my address, and of course I didn't know exactly.... :/ So they drove, until I saw the army checkpoint of my neighborhood... then I knew I was back home.

Such memories are the only ones that stay, really... haha

My daughter writes her poems in her bedroom through her own choice, then she has about 10-15mins a few times a week on here to transfer them.

compare that to the 4 1/2 hours tennis outside she does a week on a school week,
When there are school holidays she does 24 hours of outdoor full court tennis a week.

I think she has built up enough credit to sit at a computer for 15mins.

Hellon, times change.
When you & I were 9 we were waiting for color TV to come our neighborhoods.

Nowadays you have to sign a disclaimer to NOT allow your child full access to the internet in school.

9 years old would be about third grade here in the states. I think about Jessica in the 3rd grade and she was writing poetry assignments. The teacher had a way of criticising without being scathing. If you cannot do the same, don't comment.

Even before she became involved with the internet in school, I guided Jessica on the internet, just as I did her older sisters. (The internet was in its infancy with my son, so mainly it was emails & chat rooms - a whole other issue.)

There were "safe" sites she could go to, such as NeoPets, but even there we knew her passwords and occasionally checked up on these sites. (Never expected to find so many different horses as they had at Breyers.)

The point is, if a kid is not thoroughly conversant with the internet as a social medium and a research tool, they are handicapped in school. Darren not only do I applaud you, I did it myself and my own daughters are hale and wise beyond their years, The entire key is parental involvement.

Remember, too, that the forum is the tip of the iceberg of this site. Go do a member search & look at the ages. The results may shock you.

Well...I guess I'm going to have to disagree with you all on this. Call me old fashioned if you will (Jordan has already implied this) but when my grandchildren come over I actually play with them....I explore their imagination and that is something technology can't do...yes Darrren encourage your daughter to write but to post here on this site at 9 years of age will never sit well with me...I see she's in your club too ..that makes it even worse for she will never know the truth even you don't know that because your club members feed you bullshit and you return the same bullshit comments back...

^DANGER DANGER PERSONAL ATTACKS

I'm sure the kid will be fine, Hellon. Also what's the difference between playing and reading/writing poetry? Maybe that's what the child is interested in, and what's better than feeding a child's interest and curiosity? I know you say 'd change my mind if I had a kid, and that may very well be the case, but I think you might be overlooking the fact that you don't know the entirety of the situation that you're judging.

Also I never once made fun of your age or called you old fashioned. I can if you want, though.

Darren - as I told you before your daughter is welcome in our club.Period.

Hey...I know it may have sounded like I was judging and....yes...I probably was which was wrong still...it doesn't change my opinion...there is a fear in my mind that children will forget what it's like to go outside to play....

This is a great topic to discuss, MINUS the personal attacks... very disrespectful to two members so far...in my opinion Darren and Chelsey deserve an apology....

Larry said it "Parental involvement" and Darren is doing just that... what bothers me is if Parents are not involved, that is when it can become a danger to the child...

there are many ways to teach your child the beauty of poetry... this is the age of technology...

also, teaching them how to write haiku's with leaves and nature is another way as well... its all how a parent chooses to guide their child... having her read poems, selected by the parent and posting her poetry is fine... The parent is guiding her... I'm happy she is not reading this thread... since Hellon has chosen to place curse words in her post... :-(