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Mommies on the Web
by Cheryl Gochnauer, Homebodies.org

If you're only using your computer to help your kids with their school work, you're missing out on one of the greatest support systems available to stay-at-home moms - a worldwide network of likeminded parents.

Isolation can be a big problem for SAHMs, especially those who live in small towns or out in the country. Surrounding yourself with friendly people, however, can be as easy as logging onto the Internet.

Thousands of women visit my Homebodies website each week, and many of them are headed for the message boards. There my Homebuddies exchange frustrations and successes, encouraging and empowering each other with been-there, done-that advice. Although my website offers columns, links and other resources for SAHMs, the message boards truly reflect the heart of the site.

So what IS a message board? I compare it to a regular bulletin board you pass in a hallway. On the physical bulletin board, someone can pin up a piece of paper, telling what they need. The next person coming down the hall can read what the first wrote, then keep on going. Or they can write their own message on that piece of paper for everyone, including the original writer, to see.

Everyone walking down that hall benefits from reading the advice shared, and has the opportunity to share their own thoughts, too. That is what a message board is like, except you type your message on a special web page and post it on a virtual board.

For instance, you can access the Homebodies message boards by going to my website, then clicking on the button that reads "Forums" (another name for message boards). You will be given a choice of different message boards you can access, like "Finances", "Education", "Health", "Spiritual" or "General". Click on one of these boards, and a string of messages will scroll down the page. You can read and/or respond to these postings anytime, day or night.

The great thing about the Internet is that it really is a Worldwide Web. On any given day, Homebodies.Org may have visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, France and Zimbabwe. The next day, we may hear from Sweden, South Africa and Sri Lanka. It's eye-opening to see that no matter where we live, all parents share similar concerns and hopes for their children.

Every so often, I will print off a page where the visiting ladies are discussing what the message boards mean to them. Remember that there are hundreds of sites to choose from on the Internet, and you should link up with ones you feel most comfortable with. But this will give you an idea of what's going on at Homebodies, where I have done my best to provide a safe atmosphere for present and prospective at-home parents.

"I wanted to say thanks to everyone! This board is one place I know I can come to and feel validated as a full time mom, in a society that doesn't always recognize the hard work we do each and everyday. You all are GREAT!"

"I am one of the working moms trying to get home on this board. I have gotten wonderful advice, tons of laughter, tears, kindness (and some much needed reality checks) on this board from SAHM's, work-at-home moms and other (full-time) working moms. I truly feel part of this loving family. You will see that we all have different personalities and views, but we share a common bond - we love our families and want what's right for them."

"Gracias. Thank you. Merci. Danke. I just wanted to thank you all for all your support and love and guidance over the past months. As you know, I do this periodically so that you all remember how special you are and that you also remember that SAHM's ROCK!"

There's no need to feel alone, Mom. Come meet some new Homebuddies at www.homebodies.org!

Comments?  E-mail Cheryl@homebodies.org, or visit her website at
www.homebodies.org.  Her book, "So You Want to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom," is
available at The Light Keeper.com Bookstore!  

copyright 2003 Cheryl Gochnauer, Homebodies.org, LLC - All rights reserved.

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