Behold the Awesomeness of Greenlake Moms
“The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.” – Calvin Trillin
Most of us have witnessed the awesome power of mothers. Aside from bringing new life into the world, they make us sit up straight, eat our vegetables and do our homework. Imagine that incredible force multiplied a thousand-fold into an enormous social network. Yes, this is the Greenlake Moms.
Before the Greenlake Moms was 1500 moms strong, it was one mom: Melissa Benaroya (doesn’t her family look glad that she’s their mom?).
I started Green Lake Moms when I moved to Seattle almost 6 years ago. I did not know anyone in the city and I was at Meridian Park with my 10 month old the first week we moved into our home and there was a group of moms having a play date. . . . . I introduced myself and joined the playdate. By the end of the playdate I suggested everyone give me their e-mail and I could set up a group for us online to communicate.
Over time, this small email list morphed into a remarkably supportive, resourceful, generous group. A lucky member since November 15, 2005 here are a few of my own experiences:
- Located mother of another jigsaw puzzle-addicted kid to trade with
- Loaned someone a booster seat and got a thank you of surprise home-baked treats
- Swapped rides to and from the airport (infinitely nicer than a cab)
- Sold a car. Yes, I sold many other outgrown items to the sweetest, most considerate and reasonable buyers ever. Purchased many such items from ditto.
- Innumerable freebies. Seattle Mariners crazy straws. Hula costumes. Brita water pitcher. Free haircut coupon. Cat post. Etc. Given away many of the same.
- Loaned a car club to a pregnant woman with a toddler who just had a car stolen, the keys lost for the other car and a husband who was out of town. Needless to say, she was grateful. She later told me another Greenlake Mom helped locate the stolen car after she posted to the group.
- And, finally, my favorite. Unaccountably, a pair of my shoes was taken from our front porch. I posted as a rant and a GL Mom who lives across the street emailed later that my shoes were lying on someone’s lawn nearby and I ran over and recovered them (and am wearing them to this day!).
Speaking of lost items, this is the most remarkable story I’ve run across on the site, posted on March, 2009:
Lost gold wedding ring found: THANK you Greenlake Moms!! Through this wonderful group, one of our members was at the park with a friend who FOUND THE RING!!! Yes, it is amazing and a miracle that in a crowded park a day after losing it, her friend’s 8yr old son found the ring in the bark on the ground and she happened to remember seeing the post on GLMs . . .
Just wanted to say thanks and that this group is pretty amazing and it is a miracle the ring was found.
I heartily second the reactions:
Wow – what a great story! The power of this group is truly amazing!
AHHHHH-MAZING!!!!! .the 5 o’clock news should cover this! Seriously!
You must be a parent living in the 98103 area to be part of this awesome entity (contact Melissa directly at [email protected]). If you are, you can join an incredible force of mother-power working for the good of humanity. Now, sit up straight and eat your peas.
I love that parents are benefitting all the time from being a member of the group. I have had many people share with me their personal stories of the wonderful nanny they found, the car they bought, the new friends they have made, and most importantly the amazing parenting advice/feedback that they received from being a member of this group. Parenting is a tough job and it is wonderful to know there are others nearby that are there to help us through this journey! – Melissa Benaroya
Here is a small sampling of further stories about the awesomeness of the Greenlake Moms: