Posts Tagged ‘Networking’

“Social Media and What Gives” was the topic of this past Spin Cycle with @ExtraordMommy

Two days later I find myself still thinking about this topic.  I know what gives for me, my kids, my husband, my me time, well wait a minute – I guess social media has become my ‘me’ time. I really hate admitting that I spend less time with my kids because I am on the internet, because reading my own words make me cringe, but it’s the truth.

When I first found twitter and used it for a few weeks, my mind was strictly on work, another way to network.  In the first month I was addicted to twitter, there were so many great minds to pick, so many great articles being posted.  Then I am not even sure how it happened, but twitter switched from only being a tool I could use while at work to becoming part of my social life.  People share their lives, their goals, their tragedies online and you grow to develop friendships with them, you feel a connection that you never thought would be possible just from communicating online.  I have learnt so much on a professional level and on a personal level from being on twitter, but it is amazing how time consuming social media in general can be.  There are tweets, and then the tweets link to an article or blog posts, then posts lead to engagement and so on it goes.

I have tried to pull myself away from the computer time and time again, and there are weekends where I succeed, there are weekends when I spend time with my family and barely touch the computer and there are times where it is the opposite.  However, I think I might have found a way to help me get more ‘me time’ and more time with my kids…

There are two things I am addicted to – Work and the Internet. I have an obsessive personality; it is one of those things I try to balance or curve often.  So I thought what if I take what I know I am already obsessed with and try to translate that into a way to spend more time with my family.  I know that probably sounds backwards huh. But I think it will work.  About 6 months ago I came across a forum/networking site called Baltimore Mommies:

I signed up, and like I have done with quite a few memberships or networking sites, I never went back.  So after taking a second look I thought that this may be a good way to network with other moms in the area, which will lead to more activities I can do with my kids and also for play dates where they can play with other kids.  They also have GNO, and although I love the #GNO that I join on Tuesday nights, I do feel at times that I need a GNO where I actually see other people.  My close friends although I love them much, for the most part are far away or single. They have bowling, scavenger hunts, library trips, orioles games and all kinds of fun stuff I can do with the kids that will not cost me tons of money.

I am not one of those creative moms that can think of neat, crafty ideas to do with my kids, so to have others make plans where I and my kids can go and interact is perfect.  Also, my kids are 16 months, 6 years’ old, and 10 years old.  They are never on the same page with what they want to do and what they consider to be a good time.

I am super excited that I have now just become active in this group.  I am supposed to go meet a group of mothers tonight, which should be interesting.  This is new to me, as I have never just gone and met a group of women that I did not know. I will tell you how it goes!

What gives for you for you?  Have you joined a network like Baltimore Mommies before?  What was your experience?  I am a tad nervous so any tips, stories would help.