The internet can be a great place for parents to get information about parenting and form communities around caring for their children.
But sometimes that online community can turn ugly. This is the story of one such Facebook group, and the lessons learned.
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The Parent Coop audio project is planning to release six new episodes in the first half of 2016. We’ve already lined up some great stories to share, but we need your help. Contact Annie@theparentcoop.com if you have a story that you think could add to one of these themes.
Even if your story is only loosely related to a theme, send it our way. If the story has conflict, great characters and a compelling arc, we’ll consider it.
Fridge Art – Stories about art as a release. The fridge as a value judgment. Expression, development, graffiti – tell us about your art story.
Call-in prompt – What was the first piece of art you were proud of, as a child or as a parent?
Loss – Stories about the loss of parents or children. This is an opportunity to cast away some of the fear that surrounds talking about loss as a parent. Tell us about your loved one, and how they’ve shaped you.
Call-in prompt – Tell us the name of someone you’ve lost as a way of honoring their existence.
Pets – Stories about a peculiar pet or an animal that changed the way you saw the world. Maybe you treated your brother like a pet.
Call-in prompt – What’s the weirdest name you’ve ever given a pet? Where did the name come from?
Sell out – Tell us how you identify yourself, beyond the role of parent. How do you maintain that identity?
Call-in prompt – What odd things did your parents do to make extra money? Or as a child, what was your first paying job?
Check back often for more story ideas and prompts. Or check us out on facebook.