Skip to Content

Looking for the best info on potty training your toddler? Click here.

ParentDishing with Twittermoms founder Megan Calhoun

Categories: Just for moms, Media, Resources

Are you a mom? Do you Twitter? Would you like to meet other moms who Twitter?

Twitter is a social networking site that allows participants to engage in "microblogging." Twitterers post updates that may not exceed 140 characters; the trick is to be funny or engaging or provocative in as few words as possible. Other Twitter members can follow you and read your updates, and you can do the same. Twitter is like blogging, but faster and more concise and possibly more personal.

Twitter just might be the future of blogging.

One Twitter member, Megan Calhoun, saw an opportunity to bring moms together via the 140 character update; in September, she founded Twittermoms, an online community for moms who Twitter. Calhoun says that as with most mommy blogs, Twittermoms was born out of a desire to create community. "As a stay at home mom, you sometimes don't get enough adult interaction during the day. Twitter was great for connecting with friends, and I noticed a lot of moms on it – but no easy way to learn more about them, or make decisions about who would be really interesting to connect with on Twitter." Her husband joked that she needed to start a site to fill that niche, and so, on September 2, Calhoun did. "I added the URL to my Twitter.com profile and the next morning we had four members. A month later, membership rushed past 2,200 active members. A cool new mom joins every few minutes. It's been quite a rush!"Calhoun has worked hard to make Twittermoms a warm, welcoming community; she personally greets each new member, and reads their blogs and follows their Twitter feeds. But she credits the site's initial success to the members themselves. "Twittermoms are definitely social, and they are in a place where they feel comfortable to discuss whatever is on their minds," she says. "The quality of the discourse on the site has been top-notch – I'm often blown away by the conversations taking place on the site. People are really getting a lot out of the friendships they're making there. Twittermoms has become a success because of the members. These are smart moms who create valuable content, friendships and discussions – a place you want to return to again and again."

But Twittermoms isn't just about being social; the women who have joined are also invested in changing the world. They have created the Twittermoms Holiday Catalog, which will showcase the crafts and creations of Twittermoms members. The catalog will consist of descriptions that are 140 characters or less -- like a Tweet! It will go live on November 1 at the Twittermoms site. Calhoun estimates that, via Twitter, the catalog will be distributed to more than a hundred thousand people.

"As busy moms, it is hard to find time to communicate with other moms," Calhoun admits. "Twitter offers moms a way of communicating with each other in a quick and easy manner. It's a party line. You can drop in, listen or lurk, chime in if you want – it's really flexible. I think it speaks to the need women have to connect and build community. On Twitter, you can tap the collective knowledge of all your friends. Need advice? Tweet your question. Feeling frustrated? Tweet it. You'll get a supportive reply. It's magic. It really is."

Recent Posts

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ParentDish Polls

    Hollywood's Hottest Dad
    51% of you voted Hugh Jackman the Hottest Dad in Hollywood by a landslide. Wolverine edged out Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp -- and we can see why.

    Jewel Samad/Getty Images

    Best Stepdad
    How cool would it be to have Ashton Kutcher as your stepdad? Pretty cool, according to 52% of you. After all, you wouldn't have to teach him how to send a text message or use Twitter! Kutcher is pictured here in 2007 with stepdaughters Rumer and Tallulah Willis.

    Evan Agostini/Getty Images

    Who cares about IQ?
    Not ParentDish readers! 80% of you said that this 24-year-old UK mom should be allowed to keep her baby--even after social workers said she was "too stupid" to take care of her.

    Jenny Goodall, Daily Mail / ZUMA Press

    Enough With the Gosselins!
    Will you buy Kate Gosselin's cookbook? 64% of you say no -- and you're also tired of hearing about her.

    David Livingston, Getty Images

    Best Babysitters
    31% of you said that you would leave your kids with Ellen and Portia, while only 9% would trust Oprah to babysit. Interesting, since none of the celebs are parents.

    Kevin Winter, Getty Images

    Fav Celeb Mom
    Jennifer Garner is your favorite celebrity mom, beating out Angelina Jolie and First Lady Michelle Obama with 37% of the vote.

    Kris Connor, Getty Images

    Bad Mommy
    Dina Lohan and Courtney Love tied for worst celebrity mom, each with 32% of your votes. Only 3% of you said that Kate Moss was a bad mom, though, which says a lot -- mostly what a mess Dina Lohan is.

    Michael Buckner, Getty Images

    Unimpressed
    Only 8% of you think Bristol Palin a better parent than baby daddy Levi. [Get the full story]

    Getty

    Octo Overload?
    60% of you are worried about her kids. Maybe because she reportedly once stripped under the name "Angelina?" [Get the full story]

    Getty

    Tough to Swallow
    45% of you said this Burger King ad was "totally inappropriate." What would the King say? [Get the full story]

    YouTube

Features

Recent Comments