Comments on: Handling negative comments

By: Sarah (Real Life)

Sarah (Real Life) — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 00:09:13 +0000

I’ve been meaning to thank you for helping me out on that post, Jordan! I could understand where she was coming from, but I totally disagreed with her. It was so nice not to even have to address it. My blogging friends had my back! Any sorrow I had at being called “unChristlike” was totally gone when y’all stuck up for me.

The comment really didn’t bother me as much as the fact that she signed “anonymous.” If you can’t leave your name on a disagreeing comment, then it’s probably a good idea not to leave a comment.

The only comments I’ve had to delete (2) were ones in which the person inadvertently left some identifying information, like my location or last name.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:06:47 +0000

I delete and move on. No sense in making a scene with it and scaring the blog. Just delete, move on, nobody is the wiser.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:30:34 +0000

@Tina—He is better now (finally). I’m pretty sure it was a yeast infection and the antibiotics for his ear infection weren’t helping. The Lamasil killed it for us. Thanks for check up though!

A couple people have mentioned moderating comments. In some circumstances, this is necessary, but generally it’s frowned upon as slowing the conversation (or taking up all your time, if you’re lucky enough to be so popular!).

By: Tina

Tina — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:23:39 +0000

I was SO glad when I learned that I could moderate my comments…now I’m not worried what people say because I have veto power!! yay!

You commented on another blog about your son having a diaper rash, so I followed you here to see if you’ve tried Butt Paste. I recently used it on my son when our Resinol wouldn’t clear him up. I swear he was better the next morning!!

By: Lynnae @ From Under the Clutter

Lynnae @ From Under the Clutter — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 04:35:04 +0000

I finally wrote a comment policy after getting a couple of nasty comments on one of my blogs. I’ve had some luck with responding with a comment that basically says I welcome differing viewpoints, but I do ask that comments are respectful.

I’ve also had a lot of luck with blogging friends backing me up.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 01:14:08 +0000

I am just noticing that people are having blog comment policies. I try to never delete a comment and welcome comments that disagree with me so long as they aren’t nasty about it and are good-spirited. I think it generally goes without saying that a blogger can delete comments if they want. I think I have deleted 3 comments in 15 months.

That being said, having a written policy can’t hurt and it IS a good idea.

By: marie

marie — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:40:32 +0000

Sometimes people can misunderstand a comment and take it the wrong way, I always try to keep that in mind when I get a comment I percieve as negative. When I respond to a comment that I think is hurtful, I just turn it into a lighthearted joke, makes them look silly and me look good. Your regular commenters will always come to your defense. Once when I got some really nasty comments, my regular readers came to my defense to such an extent that the bad commentor actually cancelled her account due to the backlash she received.

By: Summer

Summer — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:55:11 +0000

I never thought I would need a comment policy. Then I began to get comments from one person callingme irresponsible and uneducated because she disagreed with some of my parenting choices.

Having a comment policy is a MUST!

By: SAHMmy Says

SAHMmy Says — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:42:20 +0000

I don’t mind negative comments–my articles are often written from a Devil’s Advocate POV so I figure if I can dish it out I should be able to take it! I did recently have a commenter react negatively to another reader’s comment–great idea to defend your readers–I’m off to add my response!

By: Melinda

Melinda — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 20:53:56 +0000

I have my comments moderated and I don’t post rude or inapproprite ones. I also have my comment policy on my blog, in which I state that my blog is not a forum for debate. I will post challenging comments if I think commenting back will be constructive or allow me witness.

I enjoyed reading your blog!