New-generation mothers have turned away from the traditional way of seeking parenting help from relatives or family members. Writer Andrea Mara claimed more moms are counting on parenting forums online to ask for guidance on how to deal with their kids.
In an Irish Examiner report, Mara said these types of discussion online help mothers who love far from their families and those who do not have anyone to consult when it comes to parenting. She claimed that parenting sites and forums have been a blessing to many.
"It's like a room, but online, where you can chat with other people in similar situations," said Lucy O'Connor, a mother to three children. She added that the first time she checked online parenting sites was when she was pregnant with her first born.
"You feel like you're not alone," O'Connor told Irish Examiner. "I was able to chat with someone who had a baby two days before me, so she was going through the exact same issues. You feel a sense of camaraderie, and even if you're sitting on your own - you don't feel so isolated," she added.
One good example of this is Babble, a parenting website that publishes informative articles about pregnancy, giving birth and raising babies. It also provides experiences of other parents who share their experiences and stories on the site.
However, counselling psychologist Sinéad Benn claimed that there can also be negative effects with seeking parenting help online. Irish Examiner claimed that this hinders family members, especially children to socialize with other people.
"If your community is all online, your children don't get the benefit of seeing you interact with other people, or of meeting adults who are interested in their lives like the neighbour who will ask them how school was today," she noted. Benn claimed that personal interaction is still vital in building relationships, though online sites could be easy-to-access parenting resources for moms.
