u/Nice-Fig7851

I’ve always thought of slime as a fun and relaxing hobby that can bring together people with different backgrounds and opinions. Recently, though, I’ve noticed more discussions about whether certain shops or collaborations should be supported based on issues outside of slime itself.

For example, I recently saw discussion surrounding a Harry Potter collaboration, with some people saying that others shouldn’t support the shop because of it. This made me wonder where people think the line should be between discussing concerns and encouraging others to stop engaging with a business. Recently I’ve seen customer complaints about shops described as “slander” or inappropriate, while calls for people not to support a shop over something unrelated to the actual quality of its products are treated differently. It feels ironic and inconsistent.

As a parent, I also worry about how much conflict and divisive language children encounter in what is supposed to be a hobby community. People claim to be a “safe space” on their slime profiles, but then use language that is just as divisive and vulgar as the people they associate with—except the target changes. My 13-year-old daughter enjoys slime because it’s fun and relaxing, and she doesn’t have the language or honestly the time to navigate constant arguments just to participate in the community. This space has a lot of kids, and they need a space to just be kids and to destress. A 13-year-old looking for slime content shouldn’t have to scroll through constant arguments and hostility.

And to the people who say it has to be that way: why does it have to be all about you? Can you not consider others—like my 13-year-old daughter—who don’t want or need to be exposed? There are plenty of communities to discuss content like that, but only one community for people to discuss slime. Why does it have to become another place for people to project their personal beliefs onto everyone else?

My daughter has mentioned that there were shops with very clear associations to right at Slime City Con, yet that barely seems to be discussed, and everyone still seems to support them. But if someone does a collaboration that another person takes personal offense to, suddenly there’s a massive campaign telling people they shouldn’t support them. Why is one considered acceptable while the other apparently crosses “the line”?

Why is one situation treated as normal discussion, while another is treated as beyond the acceptable boundary?

And before anyone decides to make assumptions about me: no, I am not on that side. I just think it’s ridiculous that a community that constantly describes itself as “safe” and “inclusive” can become so hostile toward anyone who doesn’t agree with whatever opinions certain people have decided everyone else should share. I don’t want my daughter exposed to this kind of language and constant hostility when she’s simply trying to enjoy slime. I do not understand why every hobby and every community has to become another place for people to project their personal beliefs onto everyone else.

Does anyone else notice this and get tired of it?

Hi Everyone,

Last week I posted in here advice for my daughter who is starting a slime shop. I really appreciate everyone’s responses. I am back with an update and in need of some more advice. I decided to take the plunge and invested in everything she said she needed; we bought glue, borax, contact solution, pigments, scents, glitters. All of it. Even a mixer. But now I have a crying and upset child at home because we spent all day making slime and she says none of it feels the same as the slime shops she has purchased from. The glue turned into slime, it is slime to me. But she is saying it feels like a different quality. We made clear and white glue slime using Elmers clear and Michaels white glue. She has some clear and “thick and glossy” slimes from other brands but she says they feel nothing alike. I touched them and while it is slime I do agree hers do not feel the same. What can I do to help her make something like the professionals? We tested different borax to water ratios. Is it the glue itself? I thought Elmers was popular but I am not so sure about Michaels. Any help is appreciated as my daughter does want to start at local fairs and art shows but she is disappointed and said she wants the product to be good. Any advice is appreciated!! I don’t want my daughter to be so sad over this. For reference she is 13 (someone asked in the last post). Thanks again.

Is it not profitable anymore to open a slime shop? My daughter want’s to open one but based on what I’ve seen on this subreddit and IG, I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I’m willing to invest to help her get started if there is opportunity but I don’t want to invest into something with no potential and with other slime shops closing I am wondering if the market is dying or at least diminishing. For reference, she talks about wanting to start a business that can become a full time job for her, not just a hobby that makes a few hundred dollars a week. She seems to have done a lot of research on what is needed and how to run the business, but I am just not sure the market is there. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks in advance!