Do parental "business cards" work?

by Rachel Mosteller (Subscribe to Rachel Mosteller's posts) Aug 30th 2006 2:00PM

Back in May, Heather Craven wrote about "Mommy business cards." For those of you not in the know, they are business cards, but for stay-at-home parents.

I've recently thought about printing a few up to keep in my purse or the stroller. Heck, I even have a business card sitting on my desktop though I haven't done anything about it.

Have you ever used a "Mommy" business card? I've recently met a few people while out with my children and I wanted to exchange information with them. But, you know, I felt kind of dumb saying "Here, hold this wiggling baby while I search through my purse full of old receipts and melted chocolate to find a pen that may or may not work so I can give you my number that you won't call."

Wouldn't it just be easier to hand them the stinking card? And, of course, my card has to be a little humorous so I can weed out all the "boring" people who would rather discuss the frequency of bowel movements than Britney Spears.

Now if I can only change my email address to "BeMyFriendIWon'tBite at gmail," all would be set.

Comments (13)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tony 8-30-2006 @ 2:59PM

That's funny! What a great idea-

Ginny 8-30-2006 @ 3:20PM

My mom made a bunch of business cards for me that just had my name, home address and home phone. I thought they were pretty cool but in the 5 years since I've had them in my wallet, I have never used one. I still do the ol' write-my-number-on-whatever-I-can-find routine and then later think, "I shoulda used my cards!!" I think subconsciously I think they are a bit pretentious.

Chris 8-30-2006 @ 3:56PM

I work part-time and for some reason I think the SAHM moms at preschool will think I am snotty if I give them my work card, so I made up some mom cards. I do use them! Especially good for those "Free Lunch-Drop in your Card" places.

I also had some made up for a friend who had triplets:
Triplets: a hard job with amazing benefits!

My parents made them with their address/email on them. they are retired and it is great to give out to their friends, especially because they now have different summer and winter addresses!

My brother used them when he went to Iraq. His wife could give them out to family with his overseas address so friends could write and send packages!

the best one is www.vistaprint.com because you only pay for the shipping!

Kristen 8-30-2006 @ 4:31PM

I bought some and then realized I have no friends nor the opportunity to make them.

Thankfully even though I'm moving - it just my email and cell (all will stay the same) - so maybe I'll have more chances in my new place.

CJ 8-30-2006 @ 5:14PM

Aww kristen, me too! LOL I made some and then had them all tucked into my purse ready for the first person to say " Hey lets get together", and i'd say sure, heres my card, call me, " but forsome reason noone has seen one yet but me, and now the edges are starting to bend in my purse and smell ike my purse ! LOL

Jesse 8-30-2006 @ 5:28PM

I attend regular AA meetings. We have many "new comers", people newly sober and need to be able to call someone, at any time. I printed some cards, with just my name, phone # and e-mail address. You would be surprised at the number of calls I've received, day and night. People are impressed by the cards and are happy to receive them. I love not having to write that information anytime I offer my #.

Big Grown-Up Mommy (Heather) 8-30-2006 @ 5:39PM

I just had some made up. They just have my name, address, phone # and email and then say "B and S' mom".
I felt a bit silly when I first opened the box, but they're cute and so much easier to pop some of these into my purse or diaper bag then to fish around for a scrap of paper when I want to exchange contact information. I'm new to this whole "playdate" thing anyway, but I think this makes it a bit easier.

VenturaMom 8-30-2006 @ 6:56PM

I use my mom cards all the time. I pop a couple in my pocket before going to the park. They are great when a mom needs a referal for a preschool or new dentist etc. I just write the info on the back of my mom card so she remembers who recommended the service.

Lotta 8-30-2006 @ 6:57PM

I've "picked up" mommies in the park with a number scrawle onto a magazine subscription card. It's hard to find mom's of boys for playdates (everyone in my hood has girls) so I'll go for it. Though I LOVE the charm of these cards I would be afraid it would look like I was really trolling for playdates.

daisy 8-30-2006 @ 8:18PM

Have any of you done family cards? I'd be tempted to have cards printed with all our names.

karrie 8-30-2006 @ 8:07PM

I've never used one, and unless I was handed a very funny card, would probably think mean, petty thoughts about a mom who gave me one on a playground.

My e-mail address is pretty easy to remember, so I tend to just give that out instead. Most people have one of the free accounts, so saying "e-mail me at boredhousewife@yahoo" should be easy enough for people you meet to remember.

I still have 500 or so business cards from my last job--a job that involved frequent travel. I think I mostly donated my cards to those "Win A Free Lunch" goldfish bowls.

Amanda. 8-30-2006 @ 8:06PM

I don't know if I would use "mommy" business cards. Not that I would ever really have the opportunity to hand them out. They seem a little desperate for some reason.

But, hey, what do I know? I'm the person who, when talking about all my "friends" or this "mom that I know", has to be dently reminded by my husband that people I chat with on Babycenter or whose blogs I read do not constitute friends and/or people I know.

Michele 9-02-2006 @ 11:35AM

Hi,
For those of you interested in mom business cards, check out www.CardsForMoms.com. I am a stay-at-home mom who owns and operates Cards For Moms. My cards are unique, stylish, and highly-personalized. Also, my cards are professionally printed on high quality card stock. Each card features a reverse side for additional information such as emergency contacts, allergies, and doctor information (if you choose).

Just thought I'd give my business a little "plug" since you were all chatting about the mommy card phenomenon! :)

Michele
Owner of Cards For Moms