Cafemom really is the virtual coffee shop for mothers. As soon as you enter the site, a welcoming mood is set and it is easy to imagine a friendly chatter between mums, accompanied by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Cafemom is a place of sharing and caring. A place where mothers young and old, single and partnered, of all backgrounds can come together to discuss all issues related to being a mum. The good, the bad and the ugly. It provides refuge and safety from judgement. It allows mothers to express themselves, and find solace in knowing that they are not the first mother to have ever dealt with a screaming 2-yr-old in a shopping centre, or a straying teen. It is because of the sensitivity of some of these issues and my own discomforts with being judged and identified, that I chose to remain somewhat anonymous. However, in order to feel a sense of belonging, of community, I chose to include my son and my title as a mother in my username.
All the topics on Cafemom are clearly mapped out and accessible to anyone willing to explore them. According to Wood, (2009), 'different maps are like telling a story but from a different point of view'. The mapping of Cafemom tells stories to the world through the eyes of mothers. Similarly, as "historical and present maps give prominence to important landmarks" as stated by Dr Theresa Petray in her week 3 lecture (2013), Cafemom gives prominence to topics considered important by mothers everywhere.
Becoming a member of Cafemom was empowering. I am now part of a community of strong women and mothers. I have somewhere I can go to ask questions, voice frustrations, view opinions and be inspired.
Reference List
Cafemom (2006) Retrieved 16th August, 2013
https://www.facebook.com/CafeMom
Petray, V. (2013). BA1002: Our Space: Networks, narratives and the making of place, Lecture 3 Maps: Seeing and shaping the world. Retrieved from: https://learnjcu.edu.au
Prouty, R. (2009). A turtle on a leash.
Retrieved from http://onewaystreet.typepad.com/one_way_street/2009/10/a-turtle-on-a-leash.html
Wood, D, Ward L Kaiser& Abramms, B. (2006) Seeing Through Maps: Many ways to see the world
Images
Retrieved from
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorMm0KTNKt_iiZf9fk_6D6ZqHkv0VnNgmzcb3E20QhNZs3hdoPTQkdtmIOGXiepBYhPJnCgMatltrDLDaNxh-H7VRjRlaaCdPaUQ8ajgqxRWbPYlleHp8W0bSJnqdzBMwbDwmBa7Xklk/s400/mothers-and-kids-drinking-coffee-300x200.jpg
This sounds like a very interesting site, as a youth worker (not a mother) I have a fair idea of how complex the mother, child world is. It brings to mind the virtual networks power in how we perceive one another and most importantly how we judge each individual. The virtual network's 'global and pervasive reach enables it to shape cultural practices of selves and communities' (McNeill, 2012, p.103); this example shows a much more supportive network than most 'mothers groups' which commonly seek to degrade participants practices to make mothers feel better about their own child raising ideas. That is not to say that your chosen network completely avoids this notion, quite possibly through the virtual network these could be more hidden than what a group (face-to-face) would experience, making this network much more comforting and acceptable for mothers. Either way, I personally would choose the virtual network option as some women (and men) can be quite harsh and misunderstanding toward how individuals choose to raise their children.
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McNeill, L. (2012). There is no “I” in network: Social networking sites and posthuman auto-biography. In Biography, 35(1), 101-118.
Hi Melanie, I agree with Strome, this sounds like a very interesting site. I am not a mother but hope to be one day. I do however have friends and family members that have children and from my experiences with these women, I have noticed and as you have said the world of motherhood can be very judgemental. I can see how such a sight would encourage one to share their stories and experiences, which therefore would be expanding their narrative out onto others.
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