Grounded Mommies

We have come up with a set of guidelines for our secret Facebook group to accommodate the transition into motherhood. 

1.  We would like to encourage women in their first trimester to continue coming to the circle (as we have done in the past).  This can be a very delicate time and it is important to continue receiving support.  According to apregnancyweekbyweek.com, the first trimester includes weeks 1 through the end of week 13.  If the monthly meeting does not fall before a persons thirteenth week of pregnancy, they will be allowed to join us in the following meeting.

2.  We have started a separate secret group called, "The Grounded Mommies".  Janel is the facilitator of the group.  Once a member of the circle graduates into their second trimester (or is approaching the date for an adoption), they will be added to this group.  You can share ultrasound photos and ask experienced mommies questions that may otherwise be sensitive for the support circle.  The mommies will schedule fun outings and post adorable photos of the babies here, too!

3.  We have also started, "The Grounded Mums" Facebook profile page (Grounded Mommies was not available).  This page will be a shared profile page that each mom will receive the email address, user name, and password to when they are approaching parenthood.  We will ask all moms to use this profile page to communicate with the Fertile Grounds Support Circle.  We will then ask them to leave the secret Facebook group from their personal profile pages and view the secret group through the shared profile page.  This transition should take place before the desire to post ultrasound/baby profile pictures.
Please email me for the shared Facebook profile user name and password at: 
amandaterrell484@gmail.com



We have decided to do this for several reasons: 

 A.  The new Facebook format shows our profile pictures listed on the top of the group’s page.  Although, the mommies absolutely should take pride in showing their babies photos as their profile pictures, there has been feedback suggesting that this is not easy to look at in this particular setting.  I would suggest reaching out to the women of the group by asking them to be your Facebook friends before leaving the secret group.  Most of us still want to see the adorable baby pictures, just in another setting.
 
B.  We have had some instances where baby pictures were posted in error on the group’s wall instead of on personal profile pages.  I did this myself!  I am pretty sure I felt worse about it than the ladies from the group who saw the beautiful pictures. 

C.  There may be women who are going through secondary infertility that need our support.  Also, some women from our group may decide later down the road to try for siblings for their children.  We want these women to have a way to communicate with our group.  These women are more than welcome to gain support from both groups by being added to the Grounded Mommies and signing in from the shared profile page.  

D.  We would like the moms to have a way to check in on the support circle.  There are many events and outings that we want the moms and babies to join us in.  It is important that the moms still get to communicate with us.  The moms still care about the women in the support circle.  After all, they listened to our stories with a gentle heart, as we listened to theirs.  We need their tasteful advice and support.  These women's life experience is invaluable, especially because they can share helpful tools that led them to parenthood. 

E.  Over time, it has been observed that there may be awkwardness in knowing whether it is appropriate to continue being a part of The Fertile Ground Support Circle after parenthood.  On one hand, the life of a mother is much different than that of somebody trying.  The dynamic of the support needed and given, certainly changes.  On the other hand, we have a very special close-knit group here.  We are all happy when "one of us" gets a baby.  Many of us want to be included in the joys the babies bring to the parents of our group.  The women of the circle still need the moms!  In addition, the inspiration and experience of the moms can calm somebody going through something similar in an instant.  

Thank you for all those who provided feedback on this topic.  It is my desire that this thought out solution fits the needs of all of the women of the group, including the mommies. 

Love,
Amanda