Being a working mom is one of the most challenging jobs out there, but two Rogers women have teamed up to help other mothers on the journey of parenting.
Gwen Rockwood and Shannon Magsam know the worries of being a new mother. Like most of us, when they have questions, they turn to the internet. Six years ago, there wasn't a gathering place for local moms to talk about the daily struggles of parenting though.
"I thought we really need something like that," Magsam said. "It wasn't here, so we created it."
The two newspaper journalists combined their love of writing and motherhood and developed NWAMotherlode.com.
"We feel like moms really need that support from other moms who have kind of been there and done that, who are in the trenches with them and really get it," Rockwood said.
With several contributors, you'll find all sorts of different topics, like kid friendly restaurants, advice on relationships, and health news, on the website.
"We tried to add elements for moms with kids of all ages and different places of motherhood because once a mother, always a mother," Magsam said.
Rockwood said absolutely everything from the website comes from real life experiences. The women were inspired by their own multi-tasking lives. They said they love how having an online business gives them the flexibility to spend time with their kids. However, starting a business is anything but easy when you have children ages five and under at home.
"Everyone talks about work-life balance, but it's a struggle," Rockwood said.
"I don't really think that's 100% possible," Magsam said. "Sometimes your business needs you more. Sometimes your kids need you more."
It's issues like these that will often come up on blog topics. It's something women can relate to and draw encouragement from knowing they aren't alone.
"We absolutely love this," said Magsam. "We get up every day happy to be working where we're working."
Every Monday on 5NEWS This Morning, the Motherlode moms will discuss a topic trending on their website among mothers.
