Unexpected Friendship Brings About New Online Community
February 8, 2004–Back in 1999 when Amy Fleeman and Valerie Zilinsky first crossed paths, they never dreamed they’d still be in contact 4 years later. “I was trying to start a parenting website when I first ‘met’ Valerie online. She was also thinking of starting up a website but wasn’t quite ready yet, so she offered to help me with mine.” Little did they know not only would they form a deep friendship, but it would also motivate them to start an online parenting community that would help other parents connect like they had.
Several months later Fleeman finished her first project, and ironically, Valerie started her first site not long after that. The two crossed paths again and this time, Fleeman offered to help Zilinsky with her project. Soon a friendship began. Now, 4 years later, the two have decided to start a new online community together, hoping to bring other parents together in a supportive environment.
“Friendship has taken on a whole new meaning these days,” Fleeman stated. “You don’t have to join moms groups, spend hours at the playground, or hang out by mall water fountains anymore to meet other parents. You can log online when it’s convenient for you and meet hundreds of parents you’d never have had a chance to meet before. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Zilinsky adds “Amy and I have never met in person. But we share everything a ‘normal’ friendship would, maybe even more. Because we only chat online (or sometimes on the phone) we spend a lot more time talking about our families, dreams, and passions verses going shopping or out for coffee. We know each other really well - but wouldn’t recognize each other walking down the street.”
So how does this story end? “We don’t know yet,” Zilinsky said with a laugh. “Our goal is simple … to create a supportive and open-minded online community for parents where they can meet and educate themselves. I think we’re off to a great start, and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon!”
Fleeman is quick to add, “Most importantly, we did not start this process to become some huge web business. We’re just two stay-at-home moms, and we’re really proud of what we’re doing; especially considering the VERY limited budget we have. I think the fact our site is built by moms, for moms, makes us unique, not to mention the fact that our friendship is the perfect example of what we hope to achieve.”
RaisingOurKids.com just re-opened after a complete redesign in November of 2003. The site is currently receiving between 150,000 to 200,000 page views monthly. Parents from around the world visit the website to take advantage of the free coloring pages, informative articles, and most of all, the friendly atmosphere. You too can check it out by logging on at http://www.raisingourkids.com.
For additional information or an interview, contact: webmom@raisingourkids.com
About RaisingOurKids.com
This online parenting community is co-owned by Valerie Zilinsky and Amy Fleeman, who collectively maintain this website, along with their four children, two dogs, two husbands, and many other projects.