I’M WILLING TO bet most millennial parents have, at some point, been a member of at least one Facebook parenting group over the course of their child’s life.

When I was expecting for the first time 10 years ago, it was standard that you’d join one of these groups from the moment you found out you were pregnant.

For most parents, online groups like these have been a mine of information and support, asking advice about anything from bedtime routines to anxiously posting pictures of a child’s bruise or rash, wondering if it’s something to worry about.

At a time when new parents can feel more isolated than ever, groups like these have provided a sense of reassurance from other parents at similar stages of the child-rearing journey. They aren’t always perfect, however, and sometimes you must wade through some serious shade to get to the helpful parts.

Question – My son has these small red spots on his back this morning, anyone know what it could be?

Mary – Dats deffo bed bugs, wash everythn in house at 90 degrees hun.

Karen – Chicken Pox, I’d bet my life on it.

Jane – Definitely NOT Chicken Pox, it looks like heat rash, my 2 had it bad last week, blocked pores from bad suncream.

Sarah – Do the tumbler test just 2 b sure luv. Cud b meningitis!!

Jessica – Y have u not rung the GP yet? That looks bad… does ur child have a fever?

Jane – Don’t bother wit GP, just go 2 ur pharmacy and ask thats wot dey are 4.

Jessica – U can’t go 2 a pharmacy @Jane 4 Chicken Pox, its V contagious! Just show the pharmacist a pic of the rash.

Jane – It’s deffo NOT Chicken Pox @Jessica. R U the Chicken Pox police???

Emily – Looks viral. I spent a fortune on Chicken Pox stuff and then my kid’s rash disappeared overnight. Don’t waste ur........

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