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3rd Mothering Magazine Sponsored Chat with Peggy O'Mara --
Editor and Publisher of Mothering Magazine and www.Mothering.com .
Peggy's taking time out from her ever busy schedule to come say hello to the Mothering community! Come chat with her about pregnancy, birth, and family concerns, activism ideas, and other topics of Mothering interest.
www.mothering.com
4/26/05

42 mamas in attendance!

12:06:26 Webmama_Tina ok, today we are honored to have peggy o'mara, editor and publisher of mothering magazine, on board as our guest speaker!
12:06:36 Peggy_O_Mara Thanks, Tina. Great to be here.
12:06:52 Webmama_Tina i can't imagine many people here not knowing who you are peggy...but just in case...how about introducing yourself and telling us a little of your background with mothering and such? :)
12:09:28 Webmama_Tina hang in there mamas, peggy may be typing
12:09:29 Webmama_Tina :)
12:09:38 Peggy_O_Mara I am the mother of four adult children. Lally 30. Finnie 28. Bram 26 and Nora 22. The magazine was started in southern Colorado by Addie Eavenson in 1976 and I submitted an article and a poem that were accepted. I then became an editor, but had three kids under five and it just didn't work so I quit. Then Addie sold the magazine to me in 1980 with no down payment, but I signed a wicked contract. In 1980 the mag had a circulation of 3000 and was a hippie, back to the land, pregnancy and birth quarterly magazine. I've grown it over the years just trying to figure it out as I went along and provide the information and support I always wanted as a mom.
12:10:10 Webmama_Tina ah there she is :)
12:11:20 Webmama_Tina Welcome to this week's Mothering Sponsored chat! This is a moderated chat. Please make sure you read and fully understand the Moderated Chat Instructions before participating in this chat. Instructions can be found here: http://www.mommychats.com/modrules.htm ...A Friendly Reminder: Please do not post unless it is your turn to ask a question. If you have a question, please post a single ?" and you'll be added to the queue. Have your question ready when your name is called."
12:11:40 Webmama_Tina when you are done with your introduction, peggy, just let us know you are ready for your first question. :)
12:11:48 Peggy_O_Mara We have a circulation of 85,000 now and I'm happy that we are reaching more people with the great ideas of natural family living.
12:11:54 Peggy_O_Mara Ready Teddy
12:11:57 Webmama_Tina :)
12:12:02 Mod_Beckie Char ~ You are our first question
12:12:02 Webmama_Tina ok beckster, line em up, LOL
12:12:20 char Ok, Hi Peggy
12:12:26 Peggy_O_Mara Hi Char
12:12:41 char I am wondering first if we are able to discuss issues with the BOard today?
12:12:56 Peggy_O_Mara Fire away.
12:13:24 char There have been alot of changes at MDC lately as I am sure you know
12:13:41 Peggy_O_Mara How would you describe the changes, Char.
12:13:45 char I am wondering if you are aware of the impact some of these changes have had to users
12:13:52 mom4tot Hi
12:14:00 char and thier views on the magazine
12:14:00 Peggy_O_Mara Could you describe the changes and the effect on members.
12:14:26 mom4tot Can't get in,  sorry.
12:14:47 lilylove hmm?
12:14:52 char well for one, the Cric board and the fact that we are not allowed to contain any links that may be graphic in showing an actual circ?
12:15:44 char also some of the censorship has gotten some members quite riled as I am sure you know by th eamount of e mails you have gottn in the past
12:15:59 chris_rezade ?
12:16:13 char I am wondering how you feel about the Boards as a whole?
12:16:44 Peggy_O_Mara I think this is a reasonable restriction. It's the same challenge we face in the magazine. In the early days we were one big club and we had graphic birth images because everyone was used to them. However, now, we are more cautious because we have a wider audience. Likewise, on the boards, we have a mix of people and I don't think we have to hit them over the head with imagery to convince them.
12:17:15 Vonnie ?
12:17:59 Peggy_O_Mara I take issue with the censorship criticism. We do not intend and have never intended to be everything to everyone. We are not an adult site. Children read it over the shoulder of their moms. We are a parenting site and the discussions in Talk Amongst Ourselves are personal and optional in my opinion.
12:19:07 char I am wondering why you didn't come to Cynthia's Aid when she is obvoiusly under such fire from some members.
12:19:16 Peggy_O_Mara I love the boards. They are a vibrant, active community. We have a challenge now, I believe, because like the mag, as we get bigger our audience is more diluted and not totally purists. I want to strike a balance between supporting the moms who are into natural family living and teaching the new moms, but the emphasis should be on support I think.
12:19:30 Webmama_Tina peggy, when you feel you've finished answering a question, just let us know by saying next question"  :)"
12:19:52 Peggy_O_Mara Cynthia and I emailed every day and I am totally supportive of her and the great staff of volunteer moderators. Cynthia's authority on the boards is her own, not dependent on me.
12:20:01 lotusdebi ?
12:20:21 Peggy_O_Mara next question
12:20:35 char ok thank you very much Peggy. Try not to be a stranger to the MDC eh?
12:20:42 Peggy_O_Mara Tha
12:20:43 Mod_Beckie Chris_rezade us next
12:20:44 Peggy_O_Mara That
12:21:10 Mod_Beckie sorry, toddler helping me type, Chris_rezade is the next chatter
12:21:28 Webmama_Tina :) beckie
12:21:51 Mod_Beckie upcoming chatters ~ Vonnie & Lotusdebi
12:22:03 Webmama_Tina chris_rezade, you still there?
12:22:23 Peggy_O_Mara I would love to be on MDC more, but time just doesn't permit. But, give me the benefit of the doubt.
12:22:37 Mod_Beckie I will add chris to the end, and I guess Vonnie can go for now then :)
12:22:38 chris_rezade Your mag is quite a talking point among my online friends but I've never really noticed MDC what am I missing?
12:22:43 Mod_Beckie never mind, LOL
12:22:43 Webmama_Tina ah ha there she is
12:23:32 Peggy_O_Mara Check it out. It's a great place to ask questions, find support, meet new friends. MDC moms even get together for local conferences.
12:24:03 Peggy_O_Mara What's up with the next question?
12:24:09 Vonnie hi ok
12:24:16 Vonnie in regarding to Char's ?
12:24:44 Vonnie i wonder if there is a way to add a section" where Graphics or any general discussion can be done - for example the gay issues, the circ issues, and all"
12:24:56 mizliz ?
12:25:39 Vonnie i am very supportive of them to be able to have equal access since they mother just the same as us but live differently however for the circ part - for example my boy is uncut and i would show why i rather it be left that way so i am wondering if there isa
12:25:47 Peggy_O_Mara I've thought about that, but think they are well covered on the boards. Queer Parenting, and of course, the Circ board. Maybe some things you don't find on MDC would be better for a private chat or board.
12:25:50 Vonnie for those who wouldn't take offense and feel free to go in
12:26:21 Vonnie kids looking over our shoulder" though I think is our responsibility and our decision whether or not we want them to see"
12:27:16 littleants ?
12:27:31 Peggy_O_Mara You must realize that the boards are a totally free service that we provide. Only this year have we covered the costs of running the site and the boards. We have mostly a volunteer staff. We just can't do everything. I'm not worried about the kids seeing the bleeding penises, but it's just not appropriate for a board as big as ours.
12:27:56 Peggy_O_Mara And, you must have babies if you really think you can keep older kids from doing everything you don't want them to do.
12:28:06 Peggy_O_Mara Next question.
12:28:07 Mod_Beckie Lotusdebi, your turn...
12:28:12 lotusdebi Hi, Peggy. You say Cynthia Mosher's authority on the boards is not dependent on you. Does that mean that there is no oversight? That Cynthia is free to run the board as she pleases?
12:28:24 Mod_Beckie upcoming chatters ~ mizliz and littleants
12:28:41 lotusdebi What about reports that members have been banned without any warning, due to things as silly as sig lines
12:29:02 lotusdebi What about the patronizing PMs that Cynthia sends with veiled (or not so veiled) threats?
12:29:20 lotusdebi What about Cynthia punishing people on MDC for things they've posted on other boards?
12:29:37 lotusdebi Do you support Cynthia's actions in these cases?
12:30:05 Peggy_O_Mara I love Cynthia Mosher. The integrity of the boards is totally due to her long service. The rules and regulations of the boards were written and created by me. Cynthia regulates them on the boards. There is total oversight, but her authority on the boards rests on her position as Webmaster and Board Admistrator. That authority was given her by me. It is useless for you to try to undermine Cynthia's authority by suggesting that she does not work at my direction. She does and and she has my total support.
12:30:48 lotusdebi Are you aware that many people have canceled subscriptions to the magazine due to Cynthia's actions on MDC?
12:31:57 Peggy_O_Mara People cancel their subs all the time for everything we do, but new subscribers love it. Our subs are growing. I'm not afraid of losing subs because of controversy. I don't like, however, this fantasy that you have to agree with everything we do to subscibe. Get real.
12:32:41 Peggy_O_Mara Next question.
12:32:43 Mod_Beckie Mizliz, your turn...
12:33:05 mizliz Here
12:33:12 Mod_Beckie Upcoming Chatter ~ Littleants
12:33:13 Webmama_Tina you're up mama :)
12:33:18 Webmama_Tina (mizliz)
12:33:23 mizliz Off topic of boards
12:33:37 Peggy_O_Mara Any topic is fine.
12:34:25 mizliz Looking at raising kids with my 1st twos dad deceased and volatile soon to be ex with infant ...any advice here...tactics...last name issues?
12:35:33 Vonnie ?
12:35:51 mizliz looking to decrease disparity
12:36:12 Peggy_O_Mara Do you have male friends and relatives who can act as other" dads? Look out for them. Find good male models, friends for your kids. Last names could be your name or a name you all choose or the dad's names. I don't know. Check out the MDC boards for support."
12:36:53 mizliz I was curious of you education..new to SF
12:37:10 mizliz I've seen your bylines
12:37:34 mizliz no offense intended here
12:37:45 Peggy_O_Mara I have a BS in secondary education from the University of Wisconsin, but most of what I've learned I have learned from my children and this crazy magazine.
12:37:56 mizliz thanks
12:38:07 Peggy_O_Mara No offense taken.
12:38:10 paxye Hi everyone! :D
12:38:36 Peggy_O_Mara Hi Paxye
12:39:04 Mod_Beckie littleants, you're up if Peggy's ready
12:39:09 mizliz I'm being food now... so I guess all for now
12:39:10 Peggy_O_Mara ready
12:39:19 littleants Hi Peggy,  I love reading Mothering.  I have a bunch of Father's I know that want to know why there isn't something similar for them and are interested in starting a Fathering" magazine.  With all your hindsight wisdome, do you have any suggestions?"
12:39:51 paxye Peggy... I just want to say thank you.... Mothering is my escape in a very mainstream little town....
12:40:22 Peggy_O_Mara What a great idea. There have been a few attempts over the years, but it wasn't until the commercial success of Men's Health magazine. Have the dads checked with Joe Kelly at Dads and Daughters. I would support this effort in any way possible, but it should come from the dads themselves.
12:40:52 Peggy_O_Mara You're welcome. I hope we can have family centers in all towns some day soon.
12:41:01 Mod_Beckie Friendly Reminder: Please do not post unless it is your turn to ask a question. If you have a question, please post a single ?" and you'll be added to the queue. Have your question ready when your name is called. THANKYOU! :)"
12:41:05 littleants Any suggestions on how to get a readership and do the original funding?
12:41:55 Peggy_O_Mara Have someone call me to chat. Big questions. I would suggest starting small with a newsletter and growing. Kimber suggests taking tips from The Full Monty.
12:42:32 Webmama_Tina LOL!
12:43:01 Peggy_O_Mara Next question.
12:43:04 Mod_Beckie Vonnie, you are up!
12:43:06 littleants Thanks so much!  I will have my husband contact you!  He is in love" with you!!!"
12:43:06 Vonnie Just that since you had started as a hippie" I was hoping we could compromise to keep that area open for some of us who still feel that way - It is almost like now I have to look elsewhere"
12:43:30 Peggy_O_Mara Can't wait to meet your husband, littleants.
12:43:44 Webmama_Tina did you have a question vonnie?
12:43:57 Vonnie tho the comment on you must have babies" but I have plenty of friends with kids much older than my boy and agree with them on openness rather than hiding and letting us guide our kids than the schools - you know and being a single mom WAHM being online is"
12:44:10 Vonnie so i was wondering if there is a way to compromise to keep some certain areas open
12:44:15 Vonnie still i mean
12:44:43 Peggy_O_Mara Vonnie, please give me a specific suggestion of what you have in mind. What do you mean by keeping certain areas open?""
12:45:09 Vonnie ok how you lived back when you first started
12:45:23 Vonnie is there a way for us to keep that - especially when it is much more nowadays
12:45:28 Vonnie and many of us are new like me
12:45:47 Vonnie am i making sense?
12:46:36 Peggy_O_Mara Also, I'm not willing to negotiate our rules and standards on the boards. I still live the same values as I always did, but I don't wear the clothes anymore. With 25,000 members we have to have boundaries and so we won't have graphic images or graphic talk. That's just the way it is.
12:46:53 Peggy_O_Mara New question.
12:47:06 blessed2bamommie ?
12:47:17 Mod_Beckie go ahead blessed2bamommie
12:47:43 blessed2bamommie I just wanted to say thank you for the book Having a Baby Naturally. It was like a friend was talking to me about pregnancy and childbirth.
12:47:53 mom4tot ?
12:47:56 blessed2bamommie when i was faced with a transfer I took it with me to the hospital
12:48:06 blessed2bamommie to talk to the staff about my care
12:48:29 blessed2bamommie and thanks for the free mothering mags at ap groups too. I was so psyched yesterday to get one
12:48:37 lilylove ?
12:48:46 Peggy_O_Mara That makes me so happy, blessed2bamommie. Thank you for telling me that.
12:48:52 blessed2bamommie sure. :)
12:48:59 Peggy_O_Mara We are wanting to get more free mags out to hospitals and birthing centers.
12:49:04 blessed2bamommie awesome!
12:49:48 Peggy_O_Mara Next question
12:49:56 Mod_Beckie mom4tot!
12:49:59 Mod_Beckie You're up!
12:50:43 mom4tot Peggy,  my sisters have been reading Mothering since it's inception...it is the reason we have all nursed,  not circ'd ,  stayed with our babies...thank you
12:50:56 Peggy_O_Mara You're very welcome. Love to hear it.
12:51:19 mom4tot Also,  where do you see Mothering mag and the boards going as they grow?
12:53:22 Peggy_O_Mara We are poised for big growth. The boards are one of the biggest on the web as is the site. We have just made a partnership with Whole Foods to help them promote natural food to new moms so I'll get to do a lecture series sponsored by them in the fall to 6 major cities. Also, we're working on creating a breastfeeding, natural bag for hospitals and birth centers to replace the evil formula bags. We always face the challenge of growing in a way that we can handle and staying true to our values, but natural is big and I think it's our time to shine.
12:53:47 Vonnie ?
12:54:22 mom4tot That's great news.  Growth certainly has it's challenges,  I love the natural breastfeeding bags!
12:54:48 Peggy_O_Mara We can go 15 minutes more as far as I'm concerned.
12:55:21 annakiss ?
12:55:31 Webmama_Tina ok peggy, thanks! :)
12:55:32 Birth_Junky ?
12:55:41 Mod_Beckie At this time, the queue is full. Questions already in line will be asked, but we cannot take anymore today. Sorry for the inconvenience.
12:55:50 Birth_Junky No problem!  :)
12:55:59 Mod_Beckie no, you are okay birth_junky
12:56:02 Mod_Beckie no more after you, LOL
12:56:09 Mod_Beckie Unless they go quick :)
12:56:09 Peggy_O_Mara Do we have a new question? And, we can schedule more regular chats.
12:56:16 Mod_Beckie Lilylove you are up
12:57:16 Peggy_O_Mara Hello, Lillylove, sis of our Fulfillment Manager, Steph.
12:57:37 Mod_Beckie I hope she's typing, give her another moment i think
12:57:42 lilylove Mom4tot, asked it, but I am curious if you have another books in the works?
12:58:50 Mod_Beckie Upcoming Chatters ~ Annakiss, Birth_junky, Vonnie
12:58:56 Peggy_O_Mara We are working on a new edition of my essays, A Quiet Place. We are also working on an update of our Vaccinations book. The next original book I would like to write would be one on the philosophy of parenting, but then that is in my essays.
12:59:29 Peggy_O_Mara What book would you like me to write? What books would you like from Mothering.
13:00:20 Peggy_O_Mara We're also sellling more books by other authors on our website, books that our my favorites. Let us know what books and products you would like us to carry.
13:00:28 Peggy_O_Mara Any new questions?
13:00:33 lilylove Maybe something more specific to childhood and societal pressures
13:00:39 Mod_Beckie Annakiss, you are up!
13:01:15 Peggy_O_Mara I hope the essay book will help with this. It's great to read them all together. And, A Way Back Home, my early essays is still available.
13:01:56 annakiss Hi. I suppose I should have just emailed my comment, but I wanted to send my thanks to your staff for the card that I received in February after my car accident. It really meant the world to me that a volunteer mod from MDC was at all known in Santa Fe.
13:01:59 annakiss So thanks. :)
13:02:02 Webmama_Tina peggy, would you like suggestions and questions to be emailed to you after the chat?
13:02:27 Webmama_Tina (i'm thinking since you asked for book recommendations and such, just now) :)
13:02:37 Peggy_O_Mara Oh, my goodness, you are our herione. We love you. I am so glad you and your baby are ok. Tell us how your baby is and have you recovered from the trauma?
13:02:56 Peggy_O_Mara Sure, email suggestions and questions to me at peggyo@mothering.com
13:03:03 Webmama_Tina great, thanks
13:03:09 annakiss My baby is growing and kicking. I'm 35 weeks and I'm doing well. I'm set for a homebirth sometime next month.
13:03:43 Peggy_O_Mara Congratulations. I admire your courage very much! *fingersx*
13:04:08 annakiss Thank you.   :heart:
13:04:19 Peggy_O_Mara Sooooo much love!!!!
13:05:05 Peggy_O_Mara How we doing with our questions?
13:05:07 Mod_Beckie Birth_junky is our last question
13:05:09 Birth_Junky No question from me either, just a comment.
13:05:24 Birth_Junky I am a pregnancy massage therapist, infant massage instructor, doula, aspiring midwife, and hoping to start our family next year . . .
13:05:24 Peggy_O_Mara Sure.
13:05:34 Peggy_O_Mara Whoa, girl.
13:05:51 Birth_Junky Just wanted to let you know how much I admire your work in the magazine and in your books--Having a Baby Naturally is my new favorite pregnancy book, and I absolutely DEVOURED your natural family book as well.
13:05:59 Birth_Junky Can't wait to see more from you, and keep up the good work!
13:06:30 Peggy_O_Mara I am so glad. You don't know how much your positive comments mean to us here at the mag. Thank you so much.
13:06:47 Birth_Junky :blush:
13:07:24 Peggy_O_Mara Let's schedule a new chat and make it a regular thing.
13:07:31 Webmama_Tina well since that was the last question/comment...maybe i'll add something in there...peggy do you know what your readership numbers are? for the magazine, i mean...was the 85,000 for that or the boards?
13:07:42 Webmama_Tina yes, a regular peggy chat would be wonderful!
13:08:17 Webmama_Tina i can go weekly/biweekly/monthly/whatever works for you :)
13:09:12 Webmama_Tina you can email me after the chat and we can work it out :)
13:10:09 Peggy_O_Mara Our mag circ is 85,000. That's 45,000 subs, 25,000 on the newstand and15,000 to baby friendly hospitals and free standing birth centers. The website gets 6 million hits a month and is the 23,000th site on the web. The boards are the 70th biggest boards on the entire net. That's why I am so grateful to The Mosher and her rocking  moderators. We have more traffic on our site than any of our mag competitors. We've come a long way, women.
13:10:37 Webmama_Tina wow, awesome!
13:10:41 Webmama_Tina those are great numbers to hear!!
13:10:53 Webmama_Tina i don't know how you all handle it all...that's HUGE!
13:11:00 Webmama_Tina keep up the GREAT work!!!
13:11:29 Webmama_Tina thanks so much peggy, this has been a great chat! i really appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule, as i'm sure we all do :)
13:11:40 mraven721 ? for tina
13:11:52 mom4tot Thanks ladies
13:12:02 Webmama_Tina and thankyou to all the mamas for coming and joining us and if you are not yet on the egroup, please join so you can get the notices about chats
13:12:16 Peggy_O_Mara We are always running about with more to do, but we love. Thank you so much for your passionate response. And, thank you to the great staff I work with here at Mothering. Come visit us some time in Santa Fe. We have a great new office with space for a meeting room  and a great lending library.
13:12:17 Webmama_Tina i will post what we decide about regular peggy chats :)
13:12:42 Peggy_O_Mara I'll be in touch, Tina. We'll figure out a time.
13:12:42 Webmama_Tina how many staff members do you have working there peggy?
13:12:50 Webmama_Tina it looked small from that article recently
13:13:00 Webmama_Tina sounds great peggy!
13:13:27 Webmama_Tina mraven721 what's your question?
13:13:37 Webmama_Tina here's the link to the egroup for those that haven't joined yet:
13:13:53 mraven721 are you planning on transcripting this chat?  I missed the first few minutes
13:13:57 Peggy_O_Mara Fifteen staff in house with a few more who just work during production. Plus the web volunteers.
13:13:57 Webmama_Tina http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mommychats
13:14:18 Webmama_Tina yes all chats are transcripted...i'm just super behind in posting them due to all my crazy business planning our local babyfest :(
13:14:41 Webmama_Tina wow peggy, that's not many people to do all you do! GREAT JOB! :)
13:15:14 Webmama_Tina the babyfest is this saturday, and i'm hoping to be able to finally catch up totally after that and not fall behind again...hang in there...its coming
13:15:21 Vonnie GOOD LUCK!!!!!! lol
13:15:28 Webmama_Tina i'll make this transcript my top priority to post though...i usually do with the mothering chats
13:16:28 Peggy_O_Mara Thanks, Tina. Good luck on the catching up. I always add something big again just when I think I'm going to catch up. Thanks everyone  for your great questions.
13:16:45 Webmama_Tina lol, yeah me too, lol
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13:17:05 miiniicooper Thank you for letting us be here and I hope to participate in another one of these soon :)
13:17:22 Webmama_Tina yup, this is peggy's 3rd chat with us...and we'll work out when the next one will be and post it
13:17:23 Webmama_Tina :)
13:17:26 Peggy_O_Mara And, someday I will catch up on my phone calls. Oh, my.
13:17:32 Webmama_Tina LOL peggy
13:17:44 Webmama_Tina yeah that's like me and my emails...drowning in them!
13:17:55 Sandrine Tina?
13:18:00 Webmama_Tina yes  Sandrine ?
13:18:18 Webmama_Tina i'm open for questions now for those that have them...the chat is now officially over so y'all can throw them at me...
13:18:19 Webmama_Tina heeh
13:18:23 Webmama_Tina just be gentle, lol
13:18:24 Peggy_O_Mara I'm a bit better with the email because now I have a laptop and they are all in one place so they seem more manageable. I get about 200 a day.
13:18:29 Vonnie lol
13:18:45 Webmama_Tina yikes peggy, that's about what i get too...well close...
13:18:53 Vonnie just sent you one peggy btw
13:19:13 Webmama_Tina and so many actually need responding too! i had to create an autoresponder to remind people to email again if they don't hear from me, lol
13:19:46 Peggy_O_Mara Time to go. Gotta have some lunch and have a circulation meeting early this afternoon. Talk to you all again soon.
13:19:52 Webmama_Tina see ya peggy and THANKS AGAIN!!
13:20:00 trishshack Thanks Peggy
13:20:02 Peggy_O_Mara Thank you, Tina.
13:20:13 lilylove Thank You

 

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