Online La Leche League Meetings
Anne Patrick
Conover, North Carolina, USA
From: LEAVEN, Vol. 36 No. 3, June-July 2000, pp. 47-48
Online chatting is a powerful
tool we can use in our efforts to reach mothers all over the world.
These chats offer mothers an opportunity to ask questions, get information,
share tips and experiences, and simply express their views about issues.
La Leche League has terrific
online chats on AOL (America On Line) and on the World Wide Web. Our
AOL chats are held in the Parent Soup forum (AOL Keyword: ParentSoup).
Web-based chats are held at the Web site called Momsonline.com.
[ed note: changed to oxygen.com
in November 2001] Between these two platforms, mothers have the
opportunity to experience mother-to-mother support from Leaders and
other mothers while chatting in cyberspace.
An online LLL chat is somewhat
different from a regular LLL meeting. LLL Series Meetings are focused
and frame the discussion around the topic being discussed at that particular
Series Meeting; non-topic related questions are usually covered before
or after the main part of the meeting. An online chat environment works
best as an interactive question and answer session without being restricted
to one particular topic. One unique aspect of online chatting is that
a mother can come into a chat at any point in time seeking a quick answer
to an issue that is bothering her or her baby.
Mothers who attend online
chats may be mothers who do not have a local LLL Group nearby or those
who want to access LLL at a variety of times. They may be seeking personal
support for their breastfeeding and lifestyle decisions or answers to
pressing questions. For the mother looking for validation, online chats
are a great place because chatters often develop rapport and enjoy mutual
empathy.
A well-run online chat can
make the experience positive for a mother; she should feel assured that
her question is important and will be addressed as soon as possible.
One of the best methods used in chat situations to ensure that all questions
get answered is called "modifiedprotocol." The questions are
lined up in the order received, and then the online Leaders respond
to each question in turn with the other chatters adding their ideas
and insights. Much like a regular LLL meeting, LLLI philosophy is presented
by the Leaders; mothers in the chat room are encouraged to share their
experiences, too. The identity of an LLL Leader in a chat room is clearly
understood because of the special chat names used by them. Chatters
are also reminded that only official "Leaders" speak for La
Leche League.
When the chat room gets crowded,
the Leaders might enforce the chat protocol more strictly to facilitate
more questions being heard. It is very important that no question is
missed. If a mother made the decision to come to an online chat, we
want her to get as much information and support as possible.
Sometimes online Leaders
encounter a mother who is monopolizing a chat. It is best not to dwell
on any question or person for too long; while this one mother is being
heard, the others are waiting for their turn. One Leader can take the
mother into a private area and address her needs while the chat continues
with the other Leaders. Sometimes a mother is given a Leader's email
address for further communication.
LLL has verified that all
women leading online chats are accredited Leaders. These Leaders have
had training from AOL or Momsonline to help them facilitate the chats.
We welcome Leaders to check out online LLL chats, but ask that Leaders
who are visiting the chat not identify themselves as LLL Leaders. This
cuts down on confusion for the visiting mothers. They can, however,
send a private message to the chat Leaders letting them know they are
present. Input from Leaders who are chatting incognito is appreciated.
Sometimes there are issues
that cannot be addressed in a simple manner during a chat. Some concerns
are too extensive or the problems and their resolution might be too
time consuming for the chat environment. Online chats have limits. Online
Leaders are unable to view the nursing dyad in action and issues like
proper positioning are complex to describe in words without visuals.
Leaders frequently recommend that a mother contact her local LLL Group
for more help. Additionally, online Leaders advise mothers with medical
issues to check with their health care provider.
Typical chat questions are
similar to what you might hear in a phone call or during a local LLL
meeting. Online Leaders have dealt with everything from sore nipples
to lack of family support. Leaders do have to be wary of the possibility
that a questioner may not be legitimate. Handling tricky questions without
becoming flustered takes some finesse and one of the best ways is to
treat every question as if it were "real." (Often this will
subdue someone who is just looking for a reaction.) Additionally, Leaders
and chat hosts have access to special chat tools which enable them to
deal with those who are there for the purpose of disrupting a chat.
A really fun and helpful
feature of online chats is that Leaders have the ability to chat privately
with each other while the chat continues. They can consult each other
about possible responses to questions. They can decide if a mother's
concern has been adequately addressed, and they can decide which qualifying
statements to include.
Online LLL chats are not
necessarily a substitute for regular LLL meetings, but they are a terrific
alternative for women who do not have access to a local Group. Because
they are held at various times of the day and night, mothers with very
busy schedules may be able to find time for a chat whereas they might
not have had the time to attend a meeting. Chats are a wonderful way
for mothers to connect with and be introduced to LLL.
Check out online LLL chats
soon, and be sure to add this to the list of support options that you
offer to the mothers who contact you.
| Links to Internet
related guidelines for Leaders
|
Electronic
communication. . .
has allowed La
Leche League to bring breastfeeding information to mothers who
would otherwise not have access to it. It has increased the
ease with which Leaders can communicate with each other. It
has allowed those interested in lactation to benefit from worldwide
networks of information and support. As we enjoy all that the
new technologies have to offer, remember the words found in
the LEADER'S HANDBOOK (p. 283): "Common sense and LLL guidelines
on how to help mothers are the best guides as a Leader enters
the world of LLL in cyberspace."
Susan Buckley and
Sandee Luttkus, Online Professional Liaison Resource Leaders,
"Representing LLL Online"
|
How to Volunteer
to Host LLL Chats
To volunteer to participate
in any of our chats, contact the Web site team.
The current schedule
of LLL chats can be found at:
www.lalecheleague.org/chat/Chat.html -- please visit this
page for up-to-date information, as chat hosts and sponsors
are subject to change.
|
Further References
Bantz-Gyustafson, S. Help
forms and LLL chat. LEAVEN Aug/ Sept 1997. p. 83
Bykowski, N. and Kendall,
S. Information superhighway road map: A glossary of terms. LEAVEN Oct/Nov
1996. p.71
Grapentine, L. "Netiquette:"
Email etiquette for Leaders. LEAVEN Aug/Sep 1997. p.84
Hoskin, M. and Lewis, D.
LLL and interactive computer services. LEAVEN July/Aug 1993; 57-8.
Kendall, S. and Oswalt, L.
Where do you go when you need to know more? LEAVEN Dec 1998-Jan 1999.119-20.
(appropriate use of LLL resources in answering helping questions)
Kendall, S. The LLLI web
site: a new tool for helping mothers and managing your Group. LEAVEN
Aug-Sept 1997. p.81
Sachetti, D. LEADER'S HANDBOOK.
Schaumburg, Illinois: LLLI, 1998. p. 4, 283
Vickers, M., LLL and the
Internet. LEAVEN Oct -Nov 1996. pp 69-73.
Voccola, H. Online Help Forms
and the New Leader. LEAVEN Dec 1998-Jan 1999. p. 120
Wirtel, D. Managing the Group
online. LEAVEN Dec 1999-Jan 2000. p.129
[This document was updated
on December 4, 2001 and again on October 3, 2006]
Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:32:03 UTC 2007.
