Comments on: Motherhood, Social Circles and Social Media http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html {Sleepless in Suburbia} Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:48:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Christie Burnett http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-565 Christie Burnett Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:15:42 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-565 I totally agree with your comments on online connections and friendships. They have sustained me through the loneliness of a big move across the country, though sometimes I think they have inhibited me making the effort to make new friends IRL, I don't have time, why? Because I am online!<br /><br />I recently had some good news and raced to tell my online friends before even thinking of telling my IRL friends. I totally agree with your comments on online connections and friendships. They have sustained me through the loneliness of a big move across the country, though sometimes I think they have inhibited me making the effort to make new friends IRL, I don't have time, why? Because I am online!

I recently had some good news and raced to tell my online friends before even thinking of telling my IRL friends.

]]> By: Notsuchayummymummy http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-564 Notsuchayummymummy Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:28:57 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-564 I really struggle manintaining friendships now I have Sam. I'm the only one in my group of friends with a child. They don't understand that I can't drop everything and run to the pub for an all day session on a Sunday, or that a Saturday night meal requires precision planning and babysitters booked weeks in advance.<br /><br />I have found such a lifeline through social networking sites. New people I've met have helped me discover a new side of me I didn't know I had. The support has been immense and they have helped to keep me sane through my lowest parenting points. <br /><br />All hail Twitter/Facebook and blogs! I really struggle manintaining friendships now I have Sam. I'm the only one in my group of friends with a child. They don't understand that I can't drop everything and run to the pub for an all day session on a Sunday, or that a Saturday night meal requires precision planning and babysitters booked weeks in advance.

I have found such a lifeline through social networking sites. New people I've met have helped me discover a new side of me I didn't know I had. The support has been immense and they have helped to keep me sane through my lowest parenting points.

All hail Twitter/Facebook and blogs!

]]> By: Brit in Bosnia / Fraught Mummy http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-562 Brit in Bosnia / Fraught Mummy Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:19:44 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-562 so true, so unbelievably true.<br /><br />I notice it most at Christmas. Gone are those times when I used to get tired of going to so many parties. Now we are lucky to be invited to one. <br /><br />The internet and its connections is especially important for me, isolated in a culture abroad where i don't have a Mums Network to fall back on. It is crucial for me. I don't know what I'd do without it. I dare not try twitter though, I think I'd never be off it and I totally lack the self discipline to turn away from it.<br /><br />As for friends, well the oldest and the best ones are still there. We might not talk for months, but we're still in touch and always will be. I'm not so bothered about the others. so true, so unbelievably true.

I notice it most at Christmas. Gone are those times when I used to get tired of going to so many parties. Now we are lucky to be invited to one.

The internet and its connections is especially important for me, isolated in a culture abroad where i don't have a Mums Network to fall back on. It is crucial for me. I don't know what I'd do without it. I dare not try twitter though, I think I'd never be off it and I totally lack the self discipline to turn away from it.

As for friends, well the oldest and the best ones are still there. We might not talk for months, but we're still in touch and always will be. I'm not so bothered about the others.

]]> By: barnpops http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-561 barnpops Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:55:28 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-561 Me too, me too! Part of the problem is that we just don't have the local communities that there were a few generations ago. Without the Internet, how would we cope? 99% of my social interactions take place online (not the phone either.. heh!) and maybe once or twice a month I might see a real life friend for a few hectic hours of baby-wrangling and snatched conversation between tantrums.<br /><br />Great post! :-) Me too, me too! Part of the problem is that we just don't have the local communities that there were a few generations ago. Without the Internet, how would we cope? 99% of my social interactions take place online (not the phone either.. heh!) and maybe once or twice a month I might see a real life friend for a few hectic hours of baby-wrangling and snatched conversation between tantrums.

Great post! :-)

]]> By: Victoria http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-560 Victoria Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:45:20 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-560 I had my first one in 2002 and was one of the first of my friends to have a baby. I quickly lost all my work friends and a lot of others (some have come back since they've had children) and felt really isolated. If I'd had twitter and blogging to keep me company between my weekly NCT meet ups, I might have found it less of a struggle adjusting to being a mother. Now I love Twitter as an outlet when I'm stuck at home with three children. And even though my social circle has really widened now the children are at school and nursery, I still consider the people I know through twitter as friends. I had my first one in 2002 and was one of the first of my friends to have a baby. I quickly lost all my work friends and a lot of others (some have come back since they've had children) and felt really isolated. If I'd had twitter and blogging to keep me company between my weekly NCT meet ups, I might have found it less of a struggle adjusting to being a mother. Now I love Twitter as an outlet when I'm stuck at home with three children. And even though my social circle has really widened now the children are at school and nursery, I still consider the people I know through twitter as friends.

]]> By: angelsandurchinsblog http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-556 angelsandurchinsblog Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:35:14 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-556 I'm often asked 'what is a blog', closely followed by, 'why blog?'. Your post is a good example of why blogs are becoming so important. A sense of community (nothing wrong with a bit of gossip/information sharing!), and somewhere to let off some steam. While it might be nice to do this over the garden fence or around the photocopier, blogging and reading blogs brings you into contact with people that you'd otherwise never meet. And Twitter is great for anyone without much time on their hands, which must be why it's so popular with mothers!<br />Thanks for an interesting post, which I'll show to anyone who asks me the two questions I started this commment with. I'm often asked 'what is a blog', closely followed by, 'why blog?'. Your post is a good example of why blogs are becoming so important. A sense of community (nothing wrong with a bit of gossip/information sharing!), and somewhere to let off some steam. While it might be nice to do this over the garden fence or around the photocopier, blogging and reading blogs brings you into contact with people that you'd otherwise never meet. And Twitter is great for anyone without much time on their hands, which must be why it's so popular with mothers!
Thanks for an interesting post, which I'll show to anyone who asks me the two questions I started this commment with.

]]> By: Lorraine http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-555 Lorraine Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:07:57 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-555 Thank god its not just me...because I moved about 400 miles from home just before getting married, a lot of my friends were lost.<br /><br />My closest friend lived miles away and Twitter and Facebook make it easy to chat to people online, people are friendly and always there with good advise and support.<br /><br />Yeah for social networking!! Thank god its not just me…because I moved about 400 miles from home just before getting married, a lot of my friends were lost.

My closest friend lived miles away and Twitter and Facebook make it easy to chat to people online, people are friendly and always there with good advise and support.

Yeah for social networking!!

]]> By: Mwa http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-554 Mwa Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:55:53 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-554 I sometimes don't know what I would do without them either.<br /><br />I do find it has got a little easier now that I'm getting to know some of the school gate mothers. At least they come with children of the same age as mine, so they have similar routines and we automatically have something in common. I sometimes don't know what I would do without them either.

I do find it has got a little easier now that I'm getting to know some of the school gate mothers. At least they come with children of the same age as mine, so they have similar routines and we automatically have something in common.

]]> By: Claire1982 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-553 Claire1982 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:13:00 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-553 Its the same here-I lost all my non-mummy friends within weeks of giving birth to Chrissy, then lost the others when we moved from Kent to Berkshire. I'm only just now getting back out and meeting people, as I can be really shy, and the thought of walking into a room full of unknowns scares the life out of me. But with Twitter, I can have a laugh, and still do all my chores, I find it a great thing that I can chat away with people who have the same things going on as me. Its the same here-I lost all my non-mummy friends within weeks of giving birth to Chrissy, then lost the others when we moved from Kent to Berkshire. I'm only just now getting back out and meeting people, as I can be really shy, and the thought of walking into a room full of unknowns scares the life out of me. But with Twitter, I can have a laugh, and still do all my chores, I find it a great thing that I can chat away with people who have the same things going on as me.

]]> By: Metropolitan Mum http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-552 Metropolitan Mum Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:57:56 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-552 I know exactly what you are talking about. I had a 'day off' yesterday and was surprised that life outside our little terrace seems to be going on and on. Without me. I know exactly what you are talking about. I had a 'day off' yesterday and was surprised that life outside our little terrace seems to be going on and on. Without me.

]]> By: Twinklegemstar http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-551 Twinklegemstar Sun, 11 Oct 2009 08:41:29 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-551 I've been reading your blog for a while and only just worked up the courage to post a comment!<br /><br />Your blog is fab and I can really relate to this post, I too lost friends when my little one was born and really don't think I would have coped without my "virtual" friends! They are now some of my best friends.<br /><br />Again great blog :) I've been reading your blog for a while and only just worked up the courage to post a comment!

Your blog is fab and I can really relate to this post, I too lost friends when my little one was born and really don't think I would have coped without my "virtual" friends! They are now some of my best friends.

Again great blog :)

]]> By: Josie @Sleep is for the Weak http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-550 Josie @Sleep is for the Weak Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:37:54 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-550 Just wanted to say that I for one am immensely glad to have 'met' you in these virtual halls. And I agree completely - my online friends (and I really do consider them friends) are now as much a source of support and friendship as my 'real life' friends. I wouldn't be without any of you and can't descibe what a difference you all make to my everyday life.<br /><br />xxx<br /><br />P.S. And all strangely prophetic of the Indy article!! How weird?! x Just wanted to say that I for one am immensely glad to have 'met' you in these virtual halls. And I agree completely – my online friends (and I really do consider them friends) are now as much a source of support and friendship as my 'real life' friends. I wouldn't be without any of you and can't descibe what a difference you all make to my everyday life.

xxx

P.S. And all strangely prophetic of the Indy article!! How weird?! x

]]> By: TheMadHouse http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-549 TheMadHouse Sun, 11 Oct 2009 06:02:59 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-549 In the "olden" days other females would flock round the new mummy and offer advice, help, food, cleaning and other things. Today with many woman working that is just not possible. Our real communities are becoming virtual. Offering the things our hearts and soul require in a different way. In the "olden" days other females would flock round the new mummy and offer advice, help, food, cleaning and other things. Today with many woman working that is just not possible. Our real communities are becoming virtual. Offering the things our hearts and soul require in a different way.

]]> By: april http://www.insomniacmummy.com/2009/10/motherhood-social-circles-and-social.html/comment-page-1#comment-548 april Sun, 11 Oct 2009 04:09:54 +0000 http://www.insomniacmummy.com/?p=82#comment-548 Thank you for yet another post that makes me feel not quite so abnormal and not alone :) someone else has an issue with the phone :) someone elses life changed dramatically with the advent of children :) someone else was depressed :)<br />I know it might seem odd to be happy about those things and i know how much they can be horrid, but thank you for letting me know that I am not alone and for sharing that part of your life. Thank you for yet another post that makes me feel not quite so abnormal and not alone :) someone else has an issue with the phone :) someone elses life changed dramatically with the advent of children :) someone else was depressed :)
I know it might seem odd to be happy about those things and i know how much they can be horrid, but thank you for letting me know that I am not alone and for sharing that part of your life.

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