Here's how this started.
I faced a lot of uncertainties while being pregnant. How to prepare, where to find solid data, and how to connect with other parents? The internet was a messy maze of conflicting, misleading and overwhelming info (sorry Internet).
I also wanted to get advice from other mothers to learn from them. What worked for you and why? Any secret weapons that can help me out? What am I to expect?
And again that process, which was super valuable to me, took a long time. I also encountered many difficulties in establishing relationships to other mothers, for I got pregnant just when the pandemic hit. My options of socializing were limited.
I wished for a place where all that knowledge would be easily accessible. A good mix of blog and wiki about questions and themes that mattered to me! Shared anecdotes from real moms and dads and a short, easily understandable paragraph on the scientific stand. But I was out of luck.
Now my eldest kid is 5 years old and I struggle with the same overwhelm when trying to find an answer online. Really Internet? Why can't you help me be an unstressed parent with a plan?
Ladies and gents, let's not wait for someone else to figure it out, let's do it ourselves!
Starting soon, our community will help each other out.
I'll coordinate and post on topics and content we create together and that you care about. We will communicate via "living letters", an interactive email Q&A. Not another forum you sign up for and never check. Your questions and answers from these letters will be turned into articles in our "living library" and grow into a database of wisdom.
Imagine a simple page that starts with a summary of the answer. It shows you cross-cultural parenting wisdom and a concise science takeaway. So short - I love it!
Goodbye maybe-info at the bottom of an endless blogpost! Bye to soul and lifetime sucking scrolls through forums!
Fast access. Relevant, community-curated info. No overwhelm. Leave with a plan.
I think it sounds amazing. I also know that I need your help. Yes, you! Contribute your experience and knowledge and tell the world about it! Yeah okay, maybe not the world, but a few online parent friends. It will take time and effort but in the end my vision is to create a port of knowledge and anecdotes that actually help parents out. The library will be translated so non-English speakers can use it too.
A short read, that gets you the main point without needing to spend hours on research. (sighs in relief)
Hope you are as exited as me. Let's make it happen!
I'll keep you updated on my progress if you leave me your e-mail.
Virginie