On the 31st January 2003, iVillage launched the Families In The Forces message board. Since then, and the Iraq war that followed, the board has become a haven for women with loved ones in the military

I can remember what a blessing it was finding this board when my husband was away. As my husband is in the Territorial Army, it was my first experience of him being away longer than two weeks, and I was falling apart. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep and was eventually signed off work. One of my colleagues contacted me to tell me about iVillage and it proved an absolute godsend. Some days I was up at 4.00 a.m. just to read what other people were going through, knowing that I wasn't alone.
tinks2003

The Families In The Forces message board opened literally days before my husband was sent to the Gulf. This board, and all the ladies here kept me sane. I have met so many wonderful people, and can't thank you all enough for being there at all times of the day or night. This board means everything to me, there is nothing else like it on the web, and I have searched high and low.
cl-poppy_iv

The board is a bit like Las Vegas, it rarely sleeps, and there is always a post to answer or read that is never more than a few hours old. There have been some heated moments and heart-breaking moments but, more than those, there have been some side-splitting moments; usually resulting in me having to buy a new keyboard because I have knocked yet another cup of coffee over it!
carenza_r

The best thing I can say about the board is the support I got from everyone when my husband was in Iraq last year. The friends I have made here are truly fantastic and show that a group of people can come together and really support one another through good and bad, without ever having to meet up physically. That is something that doesn't happen very often.
happychick2003

There are not many places where you'll find so many diverse women who, bound together by living in the forces, are some of the most supportive, helpful, talented and funny bunch of people I have ever 'met'.
cassila

When I started reading the board, I automatically connected. People were talking about the same feelings that I felt, and suddenly I didn't feel so alone. During those dark days I could share my lows and my highs, and felt that the people here really understood. Forces life really can be lonely and is a lifestyle that really is quite unique. This place offers something that can't be found anywhere else: support, advice, friendship and a real sense of community.
kaystar

This site has become a haven to me; somewhere that I can share my thoughts and feelings, especially those that are to do with being married in the forces. I now know that no matter what happens, the ladies on this board, who I call friends, will be there to make me smile when I need to smile, laugh when I need to laugh, comfort me when I need to cry and, more importantly, give me a kick up the backside when I so desperately need that too! psc_loves_her_moosey

When my husband left for the Gulf we didn't know if or when we would see him again. While he was away I was asked by a lovely lady at a place called iVillage.co.uk to host a new board they were launching for armed forces families. Families in the Forces was born and here we all are. It has to have been one of my better moments of the year!
cl-moonmonday

When the situation in Iraq started in earnest we 'held' each other's hands day and night throughout the following months. The lows hit us all regardless of whether our partners were in the thick of it, because one person's hurt was felt by us all. But, out of it, we did something incredible, we got the whole country to sit up and show their respect for our men and women. Gobsmacking is one way to describe the 'screams' on the board when our ribbons made the front page! Finally, the families' voices were heard.

I have no idea what next year will bring, but one thing I do know is that the highs and lows to come will be shared with those I now hold dearest; the women I feel privileged to call my friends here.
mrscheeksy

Why not share in the lively debates taking place on the Families In The Forces message board.