LOLs, trolls, and tequila: Facebook groups for Hong Kong mums offer support, advice, laughs – and a good argument
Whether its for advice, support, a business idea, or just a joke you can laugh out loud at, mothers in Hong Kong from all over the world join Facebook groups. Online guide The HK Hub lists 16, and some even attract men – who are soon booted out
It can be a lonely life for an expat mother in Hong Kong, far from close relatives and friends. However, those in need of practical advice, emotional support, good company or just someone with whom to share a joke do not have to look too far. All they need is a Facebook account.
Online guide The HK Hub lists 16 mothers’ groups on Facebook with English names, catering to different nationalities, neighbourhoods, business-minded mums and those with other specific interests, with thousands of members.
Among them are HK Aussie Mums, German Mums in HK, Russian Mums in HK, Discovery Bay Mums and Dads, Sai Kung Mummies, Southside Mums, HK Mumtrepreneurs, Prenatal and Postnatal in Hong Kong, Mums without Helpers, and the naughtily named HK Drinking Mums. The most popular, and probably the oldest, is the closed group Hong Kong Moms, with a whopping 56,000 members.
“We are a kind, thoughtful, passionate and resourceful group – and we are here to help each other,” its introduction reads.
It’s a culturally diverse group, and in an effort to get everyone to play nice, members are asked to honour 10 commandments. One of them reads: “Act with Respect, Honesty, Empathy and Integrity. Please speak your mind but refrain from derogatory/snide comments. We all come from different countries and cultures and it’s easy to misinterpret something. If you wouldn’t be comfortable with your boss seeing what you wrote, do not write it. Violators will be removed.”
The group’s large and diverse membership may have its downside, however. Commenting on the popularity of Hong Kong Moms, one insider, who wishes to remain anonymous, says: “Put it this way, non-mothers have been known to join it because the fights can be very entertaining.” These “fights” include heated disagreements over parenting styles and issues related to domestic helpers, the person adds.
