Moms Group Manual

BigTent.com: Taking Your Moms Group Management to the Next Level

What are most moms groups' biggest concern?  Safety and security.  When you choose BigTent.com you can be confident that they make your concern one of their biggest priorities.

From BigTent's The Benefits page:

"We're safe. With Big Tent, you never have to worry about security or privacy. We'll never sell your information - or allow anyone outside your group to see it. Even better, you choose how much or how little information you give your group."

BigTent offers some pretty impressive features for both leaders and members of moms groups.  My favorites? 

For leaders it is the ability to request dues and manage the groups' budget and accounting functions from the site.  I also like that the functionality allows for creating sub-groups within the group.  So now book clubs, knitting circles, and playdates for different age groups can all be managed within the same site for the same group...this is phenomenal!

For members, I love the group news is centralized all in one place so you don't have to worry about missing out on something because of news being spread out around the site.  The group-only classifieds is a pretty sweet bonus too.

The best feature of all?  It's FREE!  Don't believe me?  Hear it straight from BigTent.com:

"To use Big Tent, you don't have to buy a thing - there's no software, no monthly subscription, and no annual fee. What's the catch, you ask? Nada. Big Tent displays family-friendly content from sponsors so that you don't have to pay a penny. "

If you're looking for a better way to manage and communicate with your moms group, consider BigTent.com.  It is one of the most feature-rich, yet easy to use tool for creating and managing online moms groups I've seen in a while. Want to give BigTent a try?  Check out their live demo and tour.

Want to Work From Home? Learn and Connect at Sparkplugging.com and SparkplugU.com

As the world becomes more and more connected over the interwebs, the flexibility the internet provides will allow an increasing number of people to work virtually.  Recently, I was hired as Wishpot.com's Chief Mom Officer allowing me to use my college degree and over eight years professional experience in a job where I can add value, be challenged, and engage in rewarding work.  The bonus?  I still get to stay home with my son!

Working virtually is not limited to just moms and dads though.  I'm sure each of us can think of a person who has a talent or skill that would be a perfect fit for working virtually or freelancing.  Sparkplugging offers ideas of how to take those skillsets and turn them into a profitable home business.  Whether you're interested in blogging, podcasting, freelance writing,  or you just want to get organized, Sparkplugging offers something for everyone.

I've been a fan of Sparkplugging (formerly eMoms) for a while now.  The founder, Wendy Piersall, is passionate about helping those who want to work virtually or start their own home business and it shows.  She's always dreamed of being able to offer affordable, yet valuable training to those who are committed to making a work at home business successful.  This dream was recently realized with the launch of Sparkplugging's sister site, SparkplugU.  SparkplugU makes courses, provided by Sparkplugging's esteemed authors, accessible to all.  Without a doubt, the SparkplugU offerings will surely have something for those who want to step-up their work at home business game. 

So Many Moms on Twitter!

This post is long overdue without a doubt.  One of my favorite ways to connect with other moms also happens to be the hardest one to explain.  I'll try to give it a shot though.  Twitter has helped me connect with so many insightful, hilarious, and supportive moms that it has become one of the social networks I use on a daily basis.  OK, let's face it, I'm on Twitter several times a day.

Referred to as a microblogging platform, to me, Twitter is so much more than that.  I originally signed up for Twitter last fall, the first time I heard about it, but gave up on it before I even had a chance to really see what it is all about.  Then when I launched this blog, Moms Group Manual, I decided to try again so that I could connect with other Mom bloggers.  You see, I don't have many friends who blog or who are passionate social media.  I was hoping Twitter could be a catalyst to meet other like-minded moms.  And how! 

Twitter has not only connected me with, shall we say, kinda geeky moms like myself, but I've met so many moms that I might not have otherwise met in my day-to-day life.  You see, there are Moms on Twitter from all over the world, from all walks of life, and with different points of view. 

So how exactly does Twitter work?  When you first sign up it might seem a little confusing.  In fact, you might ask yourself why you'd follow some of these people and heck, why they'd follow you.  My advice?  Start slowly.  Use the search box on Twitter to use keywords to find others that share the same interests as you.  You might be surprised at the profiles that jump out at you.  Once you've followed a few people, read what they have to say and then weigh in with your opinion.  Before you know it, you'll be engaged in compelling conversations and hysterical banter.  I've found myself supporting a fellow twitter friend as they struggle with a personal problem, being part of a 35-twitter friend  strong inside joke, and helping to spread the word about a twitter friend's newest project or blog launch.   Twitter, to me is all about relationships and conversation.  It is about learning from those who are different from you and bonding with those who share the same goals.  Oh, and the catch?  Every tweet (update) has to be less than 140 characters.  That's right.  Personally, I like this because it forces me to filter what I say and keep it short and sweet.

There's no doubt in mind that I will meet in person some of the friends I've made through Twitter.  In fact, I am willing to bet that everyday there's a "Tweetup" going on somewhere.  But remember, Twitter is really what you make of it and it can lead to friendships, new ideas, and even new opportunities.

Follow me on Twitter @JessicaKnows.

Hosting this Week's PlayGroup and Need a Snack Idea? Reach for the P.B. Loco! (Product Review)

Nothing beats the spontaneous life of a mom.  As hard as we try to schedule and stay organized, we learn quickly to always expect the unexpected.  A lot of playgroups rotate members' houses weekly, the host being responsible for providing the location and the snack for the group.  But sometimes something comes up and a playgroup member has to trade at the last minute.  What to do if you're the one who so graciously agrees to the trade to bail your friend out?  Have some P.B. Loco Gourmet Peanut Butter on hand!  While some are more geared toward the adult's palate, such as European Cafe Mocha Peanut Butter, perfect for Mom's Movie Night spread on pound cake or shortbread.  A lot of the flavors will please the sophisticated taste buds of Moms while being kid-friendly such as the Jungle Banana Peanut Butter and the Creamy White Chocolate Peanut Butter.  These would make a great snack spread on apple slices or white bread cut with a cookie cutter.

Recently I tried P.B. Loco's Raspberry Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter.  And while it is delicious on toast and I enjoyed it on Granny Smith apple slices, my favorite way to enjoy this P.B. Loco flavor was right out of the jar.  The peanut butter by itself is top-notch with its fresh roasted peanut flavor.  The addition of the swirls of delectable dark chocolate and mouth-watering raspberry make it truly irresitible.

P.B. Loco also offers some savory editions of it's peanut butter too including Asian Curry Spice and Sun-Dried Tomato.  What in the world would you do with such peanut butter flavors?  P.B. Loco offers lots of recipes including Chicken Satay and Nutty Spaghetti.

So whether you're looking for a fun easy snack for your play group or a way to spice up your Moms Group's book club, P.B. Loco has a peanut butter for you.

P.B. Loco can be ordered online at their website, enjoyed at their P.B. Loco Cafes, or in select stores around the U.S. like Balducci's and SuperTarget.

Mom On the Go? Bring the Conversation Along with Podcasts

Sometimes just hearing another Mom's voice can help you feel connected even when you're schlepping the kids to and fro to school, camp, after school activities, and sports leagues.  For busy moms who never seem to leave their car or who spend a lot of time at home and their local radio stations just aren't cutting it, podcasts are worth a try.  All you need is a computer and mp3 player and you are good to go!  Not sure where to start?  I was lucky enough to get the low-down on podcasting from podcaster Sharon at New Urban Mom and podcaster Dori at More Hip than Hippie podcast:

How did you get involved with podcasting?
Sharon: I was introduced to it by  Kelly McCausey.  After listening to her podcast, reading her resources on podcasting and discussing my questions personally with her, I made the decision that this was an amazing way to communicate and share the issues I felt were important to share with moms and the wider community.

Dori: I was a radio morning show DJ when some friends approached me about developing a podcast to help market their business.  I didn't know what a podcast was!  But I said yes, and we approached it like a radio show--segments of information separated by music, plus lots of humor and bad taste!

What was your most memorable podcast?
Sharon: An interview with national builder and new urbanism visionary, David Pace of New Broadstreet Companies in Florida.

Dori: Probably the most memorable shows featured big-name guests, like Ed Begley Jr., Danny Seo, Julia Butterfly Hill and Bruce Littlefield.  For our listeners, the most unforgettable moments just might be our attempts at singing our own parody songs, notably, the Christmas ditty "Grandpa Got Run Over By a Hybrid".

How does podcasting help moms connect with each other?
Sharon: It’s one thing to read someone’s thoughts and ideas in a blog, or magazine article, etc., but it’s another thing to listen to them speak to you on a regular basis via a podcast.  I think podcasts enhance our communications – it makes it more human. We feel we understand the person sharing the messages when we can listen to them speak, laugh and share their emotions through an audio broadcast like podcasting. Once the audience feels that connection to the mom podcaster they are more likely to interact with that podcaster by responding to questions and joining and participating in the communities that she recommends or invites listeners to join.

Dori: Podcasts are perfect for moms because they're portable and you can listen on your own timetable.  They're also easy to share. You can listen alone or with a friend, or with your whole mommy group!   We've built a community of listeners by reading their e-mails on the show and starting up a listener forum where they can communicate with each other.

What is your advice to moms that want to start their own podcast but don't know where to start?
Sharon: Listen to podcast programs produced by fellow moms and get a feel for how it’s done by determining what makes a podcast enjoyable for you.  You can visit www.momstalkradio.com for a wide variety of podcasts all produced by moms.  I’d also suggest you read a little about the technical aspects of podcasting by getting one of the great, easy to digest resources on this topic that are produced by Kelly McCausey – you can find them at momstalknetwork.com.

Dori: Starting a podcast isn't tough, because there are a lot of tools available on the internet.  You can find help from a web-savvy friend, or another podcaster.  A lot of churches and businesses are creating their own shows, so ask around your community.  Find a place in your weekly schedule to make your podcast a priority!

Anything else you want to add?
Sharon: I love podcasting! It’s a wonderful complement to my blog and I’m meeting so many interesting and inspiring people through my weekly interviews. I’ve also entered a new realm of cool from my teens perspective.  They get a kick out of seeing me with my headset doing my podcasts each week.  They can’t believe that there’s this incredible “moms’ network” sharing information “we like” over the internet using podcasts.  Podcasting has made this mom super cool. I tell the kids podcasting is my “x-box fix”!

Dori: Just jump in!  Play to your strengths...if you're a gifted storyteller, or very knowledgeable about a subject, that's a good start.  Think about what kind of show you would like to listen to...energetic?  easy-going?  short, long?  Make a product you enjoy, and listeners will pick up on that!  Reach out to your listeners too.  We do contests and solicit input all the time.  I recommend breaking the show into smaller segments, creating a rhythm listeners get used to.  Then get your name out there, and stay with it!

Create a Quilting Circle of Friends: An Interview with Quiltcetera.com's Bradie Sparrow

A lot of moms groups create smaller hobby groups within their group.  If scrapbooking or book clubs aren't your thing and you like to sew in the company of other moms, try establishing a quilting circle.  Recently, I had the honor of interviewing Bradie Sparrow, quilting guru and co-founder of Quiltcetera with her husband, Matt.  I was so grateful that she took the time to answer my questions and I hope you enjoy her insight as much as I do.

Jessica: How do you connect with other moms?

Bradie: I meet a lot of moms locally. Having Seven kids in all sorts of activities, I'm exposed to New Moms everyday. Lately I have been connecting with old friends on facebook, as well as meeting other women through other online efforts.

I have recently become a blogging mommy at themattandbradiebunch.blogspot.com, as well as being an editor at foodiemama.com. Let me take a minute to say hi to all my blogging Mom friends. I am overwhelmed by the support and sense of community I have felt from all the Mom Bloggers I have met.

I also try to keep a profile at most social networks to make it easy to connect with new quilters and Mom's alike.

Jessica: Your blog, Quiltcetera, is a great resource for even the newest quilters and quilting veterans alike...what inspired you to start your website?

Bradie:  I've taken a number of quilting classes locally and was always disappointed that the support ends the minute the class ends. If you didn't pick up everything in that time frame you find yourself out of luck.

I wanted to create a place that new and and experienced quilters could come to learn quilting basics at their own pace.

I love the idea of photo and video tutorials, as they are so easy to refer back to as you learn. I have to say though that I have really enjoyed streaming live the most of all. My husband Matt (known as @OCanaDad on twitter) has spent the last decade perfecting the art that is SEO, site design and site management. This is a project that needs both of our total commitment.

He convinced me that we needed to create our content slowly and introduce it across various platforms like Twitter, Cre8buzz, Youtube and UStream among others.

After reading Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin, we decided to build our brand, content and our audience concurrently, engaging them for their their feedback and turning their questions and concerns into user generated content.

After a short few months, that seemed like years, what we quickly learned was that the global quilting conversation we initiated would soon develop a life of it's own. We are constantly answering questions from new quilters and literally have dozens of tutorials planned thanks to all the great input. 

Jessica:  For a group of moms who have never tried quilting before but want to start a quilting group, what advice can you give them?

Bradie:  I am assuming that the group is to be conducted online, so I think setting up a Yahoo! group is ideal. Any activities, lessons, photos, etc, can be stored in the group for easy access by all members. Sure Yahoo! Groups are archaic but they offer ease of use and I'm almost certain that everyone on the planet has a Yahoo! id.

I have found the best part to be the mail management system. I'm always surprised at how reliable this service is. I like that you can set it up, so that new messages go out to the entire group. I can even upload files and have them delivered by email to all the groups members, on a set schedule.   

Another great feature is that the groups owner has complete control over moderators and members, as well as permissions to all of the groups features.

Jessica:  For the quilting curious, do you have a small project recommendation so that they can just test the waters?

Bradie:  Absolutely! That has been our focus right from the start, teaching new quilters quilting basics. Here are several beginner projects that we have made tutorials for. 

The TagAlong Baby Quilt Tutorial
Pretty Quilted Placemat Instructions
Fabric Origami Purse Pattern

Jessica:  How often should a quilting circle (is that what it is called?) meet?

Bradie:  If you love quilting as much as we do, you'll want to meet everyday. But seriously, it depends on the groups objective. I'm the vice president of a large guild that meets monthly and The founder of a jr guild that meets weekly, it seems the smaller the group the easier getting together will be.

You should also consider if you are meeting to discuss quilting or actually sew together.

Jessica:  For the aspiring quilter, what supplies do you recommend as must-haves to get started?

Bradie:  Here are the four essentials to get started. Rotary cutter, Cutting Mat, Ruler, Sewing Machine. You can usually find a beginner kit containg the first three on the list. These kits will be just fine to get you started.

Funny you should ask about the tools! We felt this was the first thing a new quilter should know so we created tutorials to introduce them to what we see as essential quilting tools. These are the first videos we created and the quality is a little embarrassing. We also filmed all our videos using Ustream which caused a delay because of the live stream. We are not happy with this delay and as a result we will be using Imovie to capture future videos.

Jessica:  Does your whole family quilt?  Is it an activity that you enjoy as a family?

Bradie:  I can honestly say that my hubby has learned right along side me, I literally have two or three days more experience than him. As for the 7 kids, My two oldest daughters have been quilting for at least a year and they helped me start a junior quilt guild by recruiting a bunch of their friends. Now Monday nights the girls gather at our house for two hours of quilting fun. I can't wait till the rest of my little girls are old enough to join too.

Over the past year that the guild has met, we have learned and completed a number of projects, including an origami purse where family friend Joan Smith came over to demonstrate, A nine patch quilt that I designed and the girls picked their own fabrics, Halloween tote bags, and quilted pockets for their jeans.

At the end of the year, we acquired a Long Arm quilting machine and these spoiled girls have been finishing up their 9 patches on our machine.

Jessica:  What if someone has never sewn before?  What is your advice?

Bradie:  I had an instructer tell me once that it's easier to teach quilting to someone who doesn't know how to sew, than to retrain a sewer to quilt. Sewers tend to have a way of doing things and don't like to change for quiltings sake. There is alot more attention to detail in quilting that the regular sewer has trouble adjusting to. This creates sloppy corners and unsquare quilts. Then again maybe she just said this to make me feel better. I also took a seamstress/dressmaking diploma program only to find myself starting all over again learning the basics of precision quilting.

So my advice to someone who has never quilted is to take a beginner basics class where you can learn hands on and have your questions answered as you learn. I am currently working on a Dvd packed full of beginner tutorials. This will be ideal for those of you that would rather watch it on their tv's as this is often easier to have in your sewing room.

Jessica:  Tell me something about you that a lot of people might not know.

Bradie:  Despite hundreds if not thousands of hours devoted to creating our brand we have yet to reap any return on our investment. We are focusing on permission based marketing, developing an extensive mailing list where we can introduce tried and trusted brands to our audience. We are currently seeking sponsorship from a few select companies who understand the importance and the power of the community we have created. We are offering branding opportunities to these selected companies where they can overlay their logo and links directly into our videos, which will live forever online.

Jessica:  Anything you want to add?

Bradie:  I don't wan't to let the cat out of the bag but, anything for you Jessica. I am really excited to announce that I have been looking for some retail space where I can set up shop and run our live Quilting Show as well as teach locals to quilt.

My intention is to have a number of domestic and long arm machines available to rent and have for use in classes that I will be teaching. I'm sure this will also become the home of the jr. quilt guild.
The vision is so clear in my head and we have created so much momentum that I can't help but make it happen.

Get the Scoop on Family Friendly Vacations at TripAdvisor.com

So you've read about a great resort in a magazine and it sounds awesome.  But you're not sure if your kids will have fun and we all know that if the kids ain't happy then mom's not happy.  So you ask around.  No one in your family has any intel and not one person in your moms group has been. 

Vacations can be so expensive these days and that's why it is so important to research your options before deciding on your destination.  Magazine reviews can be helpful but a lot of times they don't really get down to the nitty gritty.  Most well-known travel writers are given the VIP treatment from the resort because, obviously, the resort knows they're going to write about them.

So what's a mom to do?  Check out TripAdvisor.com.  There's a reason why their tagline is "Get the Truth. Then Go."  TripAdvisor.com offers traveler reviews for just about any resort and hotel in the world so you can hear first-hand from other parents if the resort was kid-friendly and all the other details.  Some travelers even take pictures of menus, the grounds, and the inside of hotel rooms letting other users see exactly what to expect versus a glossy resort photo.  As part of their review, users can recommend the type of demographic the vacation spot is best suited for: families, singles, young people, couples, seniors, etc.  While not all the travelers giving reviews are parents, all of them are helpful.  After all if a young couple complains about a lot of kids running around...it might be a perfect match for you. Want even more discussion?  The TripAdvisor.com forum should satisfy your research cravings if the reviews aren't enough for you.  Once you've decided on your destination, TripAdvisor.com lets you compare prices at many of the travel booking sites you're probably already familiar with such as: Expedia.com, Travelocity.com, Orbitz.com, and Hotels.com ensuring you get the best deal possible.

My husband and I have used TripAdvisor.com to research every major vacation we've taken and have not been steered wrong once.  If you're the type of mom that likes to find out every single detail she can before making a big decision...TripAdvisor.com is the way to go.

The Ultimate Mom Connection: MomCentral.com

Looking for a mom friendly site where you can learn from other moms, laugh and relate to the hilarity that is motherhood, and find out about latest and greatest products for moms?  Don't wait another minute.  Go directly to Mom Central!

You might recognize the founder, Stacy DeBroff, as she's been a guest on The Today Show more than a handful of times.  It's no wonder so many women look to her for advice about everything from birth order to moms who are heading back to college.

Stacy has enlisted an army of knowledgeable moms to provide the content for MomCentral.com, the articles and blogs will keep you coming back for more.

You'll also want to check out the MomCentral.com forums.  Moms from every walk of life and in every situation will find other like-minded moms sharing oodles of information and advice.  Topics covered in the forums include: choosing baby names, potty training, preschool selection, and learning disabilities just to name a few.  But don't take my word for it, you have to see it to believe it.

Mom Central also boasts a plethora of product reviews.  With so many product reviews on the site, you might wince at the thought of sorting through them all.  Have no fear, the product reviews are sorted by category.  Whether you're trying to find the perfect gift for a child's birthday or just want to try something new in the kitchen, MomCentral.com won't disappoint you.

Are you savvy mom in the know?  Do you want to contribute to MomCentral.com?  Then Mom Central Consulting might be a great way to make your voice heard to the companies that market their products and services to moms.  Learn more about becoming a member of the Mom Central Mom Panel.

Find or Start a Moms Group at iPlaygroups.com

Looking for or starting a moms group?  While it looks like the site recently went through some changes and the forum looks recently established (meaning there aren't a whole lot of threads yet), iPlaygroups.com looks like it could be promising.  Especially when one sees the number of local moms groups listed in their directory. 

At iPlaygroups.com one can find a moms group one of three ways: Searching by moms group category, location, or by starting a new moms group.

When searching by category, options include: General, SAHM, Attachment Parenting, Single Parents, Working Moms, Military Moms, and Moms of Multiples, just to name a few.  However, the listings don't appear to be listed in alphabetical order or by location within those listings. So while it is exciting to see like-minded moms with similar interests eager for a play date, it could be potentially disappointing when it's realized they live across the country.

In my opinion, the best bet is to use iPlaygroups.com's search by location function.  There's a big map of North America allowing users to see at first glance whether or not a moms group is available on this directory nearby.  Using the map feature is easy, double-clicking will zoom in, scrolling over the markers will give a short description of the moms group.  The short description includes zip code(s) and ages of kids.  If a user thinks the moms group could be a good match, clicking on the "learn more" link will give registered users more information about actually joining that moms group.

iPlaygroups.com is a great place for finding moms groups, however, the forum and community show promise if users start to engage more with these features in the future.

Primo Water is Great for Busy, Eco-Conscious Moms (Product Review)

When the FedEx delivery truck rolled into my cul-de-sac the other day with a package from Primo Water, I was very excited to try this new product.

Why?  Well, I try to use my re-usable water bottle as much as I can, but sometimes it's running through the dishwasher and other times I just simply can't find it (no thanks to my sneaky little toddler).  So, when the inevitable happens I always reach for one of the bottles of water I have on hand as we always keep a case in our fridge for such an occasion.

I try to do anything I can to help the environment.  As far as living green, some habits are easier to maintain than others.  For example, our family tries to use cloth napkins when we can, we try to buy locally, and the recycling bin is our friend.  However, it is hard to give up some disposable cleaning supplies (I love my Clorox wipes!) and I'm learning that my FlexFuel vehicle is redundant because after we moved, we found there were no E85 stations nearby.

Naturally, when I found out that Primo Water is packaged in water bottles made from corn versus petroleum-based plastic I realized that I can be eco-friendly AND enjoy the convenience of a disposable water bottle.   

I chilled the bottles of Primo Water in my refrigerator and after a few hours tasted the water for the first time.  Primo Water tastes very fresh with no after taste.  Sometimes it is hard for me to drink an entire bottle of water (I am in constant struggle with getting my recommended 8 glasses a day), but Primo Water's clean taste went down easy.

According to the Primo Water press release: "Primo will be sold in a multipack of eighteen 16.9 oz bottles...Suggested retail price is $4.99."  Honestly, I was expecting the price point to be a lot higher, so this was a pleasant surprise.

Where can you find Primo Water?  Right now, at select retail stores such as Kroger and Lowe's, more retailers, I'm told are coming soon.