 In this age of social networking, it’s easy to make connections with people across the country and even across the world. What’s still hard? Making a difference. But that is exactly what Casey Thompson, founder of clubnewmom.com, is doing right from Houston. Thompson’s community site “was born out of my desire to serve first-time mommies and their babies,” she says. With the overwhelming amount of information out there about a baby’s first year, Thompson was surprised at the lack of information about the first year of being a mother. “My own transition into motherhood was more challenging than I had ever imagined,” she says. “I was completely unprepared.” After having her first daughter nine years ago and going through major and unexpected postpartum depression, Thompson wanted a place where first-time moms could gather and find support. While she found helpful information here and there, she never found a place devoted exclusively to the mother’s first year. And she saw the opportunity to do something about it herself. So she started her Web site, which offers users articles and expert advice on topics of interest to first-time mothers. Think of it as a combination of Facebook and StumbleUpon. The goal of clubnewmom.com is to provide support, expert advice and simple strategies to make the first year of motherhood the best it can be. “We discuss things like new mommy health and wellness – both mental and physical – new family finances, career, parenting, mom-time and more,” says Thompson. Her guest experts are brought in each month to share their expertise with clubnewmom.com members. Recent expert advice has ranged from starting a career from home to weight loss to prenatal and postpartum fitness. “I want to provide my mommies with as much information as possible in all subject areas,” says Thompson. “I believe it’s necessary to nurture the new mommy so she can nurture the baby.” Having a focused community like this is a huge benefit to new mothers, says Thompson. “It’s important for new mom’s to have this resource because it is targeted directly to them during this very specific time in their lives.” Another benefit is the Web site is exclusive to the new mother. By separating from other social networking sites, Thompson allows all of the focus to truly be on the new mother. And Thompson is continually making improvements to make the community easier to use. In the coming months, she will offer a daily blog e-mailed straight to member’s inboxes – after all, new mothers don’t have that much time to spend online. While clubnewmom.com is still in its own infancy at just three months old, Thompson has already seen it make a difference in member’s lives. “We had a new mom ask for some breastfeeding help,” she says. “Several members offered suggestions and encouragement. The new mom tried some suggestions, posted that things were going more smoothly and that she appreciated all the support. That was very cool.” And that, says Thompson, is exactly what clubnewmom.com is all about. “I want it to be a place where users find postpartum happiness. I want them to feel like they have support from someone who understands the challenges that first-time moms face. I want them to feel like someone is paying attention to them and is offering sound advice and encouragement to support them through their first year of motherhood. I want them to experience a peaceful and joyful first year as a mommy, and I hope that clubnewmom.com will help their transition into motherhood be as smooth as possible.” How has Thompson benefitted from providing this platform? “I get the satisfaction of knowing that I'm providing a service to a group of women that I am passionate about,” she says. “I get to serve, encourage and lead women as they transition into motherhood. If I have helped one woman navigate the challenges that new motherhood brings, then I am blessed!” And with that approach, Thompson is bound to continue making a difference in lives of new moms everywhere. For more information, visit clubnewmom.com. |
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