THE PMN MOMMY LUNCH AND THOUGHTS ON BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS
(Cross-posted in Pinoy Moms Network)
See the diagram below? That is Knapp’s Model of Relationship Development–a Mass Communication Theory I learned back in my College days. But I didn’t put that diagram below to act like I was a Teacher lecturing you all about the components of the theory and how it works and relates to communications and mass media.
You see, the diagram is how I correlate the relationship that we member-Mommies of the fast-growing Pinoy Moms Network have. Our relationship is like that ladder, it comes in stages.
It was just last February of this year since the Network was conceived, but look at us now, we’re a FAMILY. Some already knew some as they were already Blog friends even beyond PMN. And for newbie Bloggers like me whose only intention to Blog is to express my thoughts on the many roles I play in life (foremost of which is being a Mom), the Network was the very key I came to know and became friends with Pinoy Mommies around the world.
Just as it is indicated in the diagram, we Mommies went through the stage of initiating a relationship with all of us warmly welcoming through comments each and every new member who post their member profiles in the site. And because the site provides for linking a post to our individual Blogs, we get to know one another better through sharing and swapping our own stories on child rearing, treasured moments with our children and other Mommy stories we have thought would be worth sharing. For me, it was sort of a therapy, allowing me to share my qualms and fears in mommyhood and knowing that many Mommies out there in cyberspace are more than willing and ready to listen, to comfort me, and advice me with sort of words like: “Hey, you’re not alone. I went through those mommy experiences myself”. I realized that motherhood is such overwhelming that is liked to be shared with others, especially these are the people are those who share a common interest with you.
And just this afternoon, we had our very first Mommy Lunch. I admit, I had hesitations at first on joining the lunch because aside from being mahiyain and a self-confessed introvert, I’m afraid I can’t carry on with the conversations or would be out of place or something like I would feel “I don’t belong” in the group. How did I thought of that? Oh well, must I say that yes, we are getting closer to being friends. But that was in cyberspace. Seeing these Mommies in flesh is relatively a different story.
But then again, I took the courage and pursue my desire to see my Mommy friends in the lunch with no expectations at all. I realized that whatever outcomes there may be after the lunch, I should be thankful enough having met the people who have been inspiring me to be a better Mom for my son. And with the turnout of warm conversations and exchange of thoughts during the lunch, I must say that for a first time meeting, we’re all in good.
The first-ever PMN Mommy Lunch attendees. (From left to right) Rachelle, Lynn, Noemi, Connie, Dine, Chato (standing behind Dine), Me, Cess, Julie, and Lisa. (Seated) Jane and Salen.
Some more group photos. (Salen and Jane, bakit lagi kayo nakaupo, kasya naman tayo sa frame?) 
(First photo) Nico playing with Lex; and (second photo) Nico enjoying looking at his distorted faces at Dine’s SexyMac.
We’ve talked of future plans and how the site would be more helpful to many others especially to parents. My apologies, but we agreed that we can’t talk just yet on what are those (Connie and Noemi will orient us more on this), but definitely, it would lead towards moving up that Knap’s model of relationship–one in speaking the “we” language through integration; and building a permanent relationship with long-term plans in the offing.
Sure, there will be glitches as there will be uncertainties. But those are just naturally unavoidable because we’re all humans anyway. But I do hope and pray we’ll try our very best to move up and never to lean towards going down to terminate a treasured friendship.
Some more reads on the PMN Mommy Lunch:
mommy lunch by Cess
Pinoy Moms Network Lunch v.1.0 by Chats
The mommy lunch by Connie
Connecting Names (rather blogs) with Faces at Pinoy Moms Network by Dine
The Pinoy Moms Network Lunch by Jane
PinoyMomsNetwork Lunch by Julie
Mommy Bloggers, Unite! by Lisa
Lunch with the Mommies of Pinoy Moms Network by Lynn
Mommy Lunch Meetup by Noemi
Recipe for New Friendship (Pinoy Moms Network) by Rach
Blogging Mom’s Lunch Out! by Salen
15 responses so far
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Hi Feng. I had a great time! It was wonderful meeting you and the other mommy bloggers. It feels great to bring the initial connection we had through blogging into the next level. Nico is so cute and playful. I’m glad you brought him along for us to meet.
Hiya Feng! After our lunch I went out of town and just got back so my own blog is still pending on this lunch.
I am so happy to have met you…finally! And little Nico. Ang bait niya and so intellectual. I will email you pics where he can be found.
Hello Feng! Like all the other moms, I’m really glad I attended the first lunch of PNM. Next time, I’ll go around more so I can have some chitchat with everyone. Your darling Nico is very cute, tabachingching. A growing boy!
hi feng! im so glad to have finally met your yaya. at saka ikaw rin pala
hehehe, uy joke lang ha? at least youre assured im your avid reader 
hi Rach, it was nice meeting you and the other Moms as well. even if it was only for a few hours, i had a wonderful time even if it took me chasing my makulit na Nico often during the meet-up. i feel the same way as to further forging personal friendships with all of you all Moms. BTW, i admire your tyaga traveling all the way from the south.
at grabe ka din ha, out-of-town pa ang drama after the mommy lunch. anyway, advance thanks for the photos. 
p>hello there Jane. thank you for the kind words for Nico. kulit ng anak ko ano. it was wonderful meeting you in person too. at sa totoo lang, walang halong bola, you’re so gorgeous. you’re indeed a living advocate of Yoga.
Lynn, hello. natutuwa ako at finally nagkita na tayo in person. sayang lang, i wasnt able to chitchat more kasi i was busy chasing my lil’ kulit whose roaming around the restaurant, hay. same here, i’m looking forward to having more meet-ups with you.
hello ladycess. hahaha, at si yaya pala talaga ng gusto mong ma meet ha, not me.
i’m a frequent reader of your blog too. i don’t fail to miss anything. thanks to google reader. 
looking forward to more lunches with all you Moms.
BTW, i’ve been trying to access the PMN site, but I can’t. there have been problems lately siguro ano.
I’ll be visiting your Blogs later Mommies.
I read about the PMN lunch from the other moms and it does look like everyone enjoyed the meet-up. I hope to be able to join the next time I’m in town.
The mommy lunch
Twelve members of the Pinoy Moms Network met for lunch yesterday. Some met the others for the first time. If I remember correctly, it was Cess who was the ice breaker because, according to her, she was not excited at all LOL.
Below are some photos (tak…
Hi Feng! Lex is always excited to see kids, nag-iisa kasi yan. Unfortunately, nanghahampas sya pag natutuwa, kaya medyo naka-ilan sya kay Nico.
Imagine, pag binata na sila! Waa!
O di ba, I’ll be looking forward to more years of mommy lunches with the mommy bloggers!
(pa-email po ng pix ha, thanks!)
hi Linnor, yep, we really had a great time in the lunch. sayang, wala kayo. anyway, as Connie and everyone else said, more meet-ups coming up. hope you can join next time.
hi Lisa, BTW your comment was caught by Akismet as spam. buti na lang at na-recover ko. anyway….
it was nice meeting you at the PMN Mommy Lunch. i had a great time with all of you. buti na lang at sinama mo si Lex at ng may naging playmate si Nico.
ang kulit ng mga batang ito, di tuloy tayo gaanong nakapag chitchat. 
i’m sure pagod na pagod si Lex pag-uwi at ikaw rin, mukhang napagod ka kakahabol kay Lex. 
i’ll email you the photos in a bit.
hi Feng! So glad to have finally met you, and Nico ,and yes, yaya! LOL
See you again soon.
wow looks like so much fun! so many mommies came along! sali ako next time!
Nakakainggit talaga.
Well I will wait for the announcement on PMN about what you guys discussed & hop on other blogs for more pix!
yup, i am excited as well to hear what transpired in the mommy lunch.
i wish i were there, too.
chats, it was nice meeting to you too. next time, bring the girls para our kids can also bond.
yes Aloi, next time join ka talaga. haven’t heard of you for quite a long time, chickahan tayo ha.
auee, don’t be so inggit. pwede rin kayo sigurong mag meetup dyan. marami din kayong mga Mommies from that part of the continent.
or pag visit nyo dito, i’m sure Connie and Noemi will hold a Meetup for PMN members too.
Belle, excited na rin ako as well as the other mommies. it’ll be very useful for parents like us. quiet daw po muna tayo.