How to find support in slack? Are you thinking on this?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people’s lives in more ways than one. Besides being the reason for many employees getting laid off and being the source of global panic, the pandemic put a lot of parents in a tight spot.
Those working from home are now actively trying to balance caring for a family and meeting job responsibilities. Others are still out looking for new employment opportunities in the face of widespread unemployment. All these things can get overwhelming very quickly.
Finding support in a safe community can help improve whatever negative situation parents might be in due to the pandemic.
Today, we take a look at how parents find support during this pandemic to help other parents find the right support system for them.
Finding Support in Slack
The way people communicate has forever been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. From face-to-face interactions, society has moved to a digitalized way of communication.
Social media has become the main way people reached out to each other. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Zoom have given people ways to interact without needing to be in the same room.
One other application that has made it particularly easier for parents to communicate day-to-day challenges with other parents is Slack.
What Is Slack?
Slack is a powerful communication tool that businesses and organizations use to connect with the people in their teams.
The process is simple: You create a channel, add the appropriate people into the channel, and freely send whatever information you need to communicate with them.
It’s fast, easy, and what’s more, is that you can promote cybersecurity on Slack by limiting access to certain data to only a select number of people.
The use of Slack doesn’t end there — parents have found a new and unique way to communicate with each other through this secure platform. Channels focused on providing parents with parental support and resources are now available (and free) for parents to join.
There you can connect with parents who are experiencing the same challenges as you. Exchange stories and tips that can help everyone adjust to the new parenting landscape much more easily. Furthermore, build reciprocal and supportive relationships with other parents.
Slack Communities for Parents
If this is your first time using Slack, no need to worry. We’ve gathered a list of great Slack Workspaces that parents can join to find support and encouragement:
Modern Parent Slack Community
Modern Parent is a publication that provides parents with valuable tips and information on how to survive the “parent life.”
The Modern Parent Slack Community is a place where parents from all walks of life can gather together, share experiences, connect with each other, raise important questions, and ask or provide support and feedback for the community.
Solo Moms in STEMM
Single mothers face an entirely different world of challenges that may make them feel isolated and alone compared to other parents. The Solo Moms in STEMM Community is a safe space where single moms can find support, connect with, and empower each other.
Beyond parenting tips, solo moms can also find career advice, financial assistance, grants and fellowships, and many more opportunities in this community.
TEN Parent Slack Community
The TEN Parent Slack Community is a space where parents and teachers can collaborate to provide children with better and more effective learning opportunities. Furthermore, there are channels dedicated to helping parents find ways to manage stress better as well as providing ways for them to comfort their children during challenging times.
Nifty Ways Parents Can Use Slack
Slack is more than a simple messaging application. In fact, it’s an advanced and flexible tool that allows parents to integrate it with multiple functions.
Where Are the Kids?
One of the most commonly asked questions by parents is “where are the kids?”
Slack can easily be integrated with mobile tracker software like Find My iPhone and GoogleMap. This makes the task of locating the kids much easier for parents to do. All you need to do is assign a Slackbot command to the task that you want to be completed and you’re set to go.
Calendar Syncing
Is there an upcoming family dinner that you want everyone to be reminded of? You can connect Google Calendar to Slack and have everyone reminded of the date, time, and location of said family dinner. Everyone on your channel will immediately be notified once the assigned date has come around.
To-Do Lists
Is your refrigerator filled up with colorful post-its? Keep everyone in the channel up-to-date on household chores and responsibilities with the “To-Do List” function on Slack. This saves you a ton of space on your refrigerator door and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
Final Thoughts
Parenting is a challenge in itself — add a pandemic into the mix and it becomes an overwhelming undertaking. Finding support and assistance is key to surviving the growing challenges of parenthood. Slack communities allow parents to find that support without having to jump through so many hoops.
Furthermore, it provides them with a wider variety of tools and resources to help them navigate the complexities of being a pandemic parent.
