Comments on: Rocket Moms: Why is the Group Controversial?

By: Addy Bell

Addy Bell — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:04:47 +0000

So, just to clarify … women who ARE NOT moms can join RM?

Either way, it doesn’t bother me. I’m not a parent, but I darn well know that mothers have burdens on their time and energy I can’t begin to imagine. I also know that mothers with small children are some of the most isolated people in our society. If they can find a group that supports them in any way, I think it’s a wonderful thing.

What I see in this, having a bit of community organizing experience, is that the animosity seems to derive from a sense of entitlement. Some people are unaware that they have always been given certain privileges because of their background. They expect support and recognition as if it were their due. When they see something like RM, it doesn’t occur to them that it’s essentially a grassroots effort that only works because the people in it make it work.

And because of that, they expect support structures to be created and provided for them, instead of doing the work of creating and running it themselves.

By: Kathy McGraw

Kathy McGraw — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:37:39 +0000

I was shocked at the animosity I saw recently over Rocket Moms! Some people reminded me of little kids and the whole “he has more than I do” fights.

By: spunkyduckling @army wives pet peeves

spunkyduckling @army wives pet peeves — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:34:22 +0000

I don’t know much about rocket moms. Seen them around. Never knew that they allow only moms. Yes the name is obvious but still a mom don’t necessarily mean biological..hehe Anyways thanks for sharing this tidbit.

By: AJ

AJ — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:11:53 +0000

This is a very well thought out post. I must admit that in a community that depends so much on volunteers to provide support to members, whenever anyone says “Why cant we have…..”, my thinking is often “Well, what’s stopping you”!

By: Stazjia

Stazjia — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 10:59:09 +0000

I totally agree with you. What irritates me quite a lot is that some people who complain bitterly then say that they don’t join groups anyway.

RocketMoms works because the organisers put in a lot of effort and, importantly, so do the members. It’s not a question of special treatment but of people making their own luck by working hard. In turn, Squidoo has responded positively.

By: lakeerieartists

lakeerieartists — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 00:02:11 +0000

Personally I think that no matter what happens, people will complain about it. RocketMoms is successful so it is getting a lot of complaints.

I think that RocketMoms has been a successful experiment for those who have participated, but extra special treatment? I don’t think so. No more than any other group on or off Squidoo.