Nothing can replace mom.
She has no competition when her children have boo-boos, lost shoes, nasty math problems, or broken hearts.
She's quick to provide a ride to soccer practice, find the perfect prom gown, or serve as cooking instructor.
Moms cry at our weddings, rock our new babies, spoil our kids, become our best friends and give the best hugs. Moms never stop being needed, no matter how old their children get.
But sometimes even moms can use a little help.
Today Lancaster Newspapers Inc. announces the birth of
LancMoms.com, a resource for women in any stage of motherhood.
The Web site is a meeting place where they can find information, exchange advice and even have a good laugh together.
Registration is free; those who do so by May 25 will be entered in a drawing for a $500 shopping spree at Stauffers of Kissel Hill.
"It's unique in that it's primarily user-driven. It's not newspaper-driven or moderator-driven," said John Derr, LNP advertising director who led the committee that developed LancMoms.com.
Mothers can ask questions or offer advice via forums that cover topics of interest to mothers with babies, teens, college students, sons- and daughters-in-law, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren.
Since the site became active May 1, users have advised each other about nap time woes, picky eaters, transitions to puberty, Father's Day gifts, and salon and book club recommendations.
Moms can post events on a community calendar, build brag book photo albums and blog.
The site highlights a Featured Mom — this month it is Millersville volunteer Deb DeBerdine; in June it's Denise Haldeman, the force behind the new Daniel's Den Playground. Beginning in July, the spotlight will shine on mothers nominated by site users.
A free classified section will also be added soon.
Articles from the Sunday News, Intelligencer Journal and Lancaster New Era are also included. A link to LNP's Web site, LancasterOnline.com, will be added.
"It is my hope that parent- and family-centered articles from all three papers will enhance the site for users, whether they're expectant parents or grandparents," Sunday News managing editor and LancMoms committee member Barbara Hough Roda said.
And, as the mother of an 8-year-old daughter, she said: "I'm eager to share ideas and learn from other mothers on the site. For example, how can I get my daughter to consume more calcium? Where can I find clothes for an 8-year-old that don't look like I'm dressing an 18-year-old? How involved should I be in her relationships with friends? What books are must-reads?"
Sisters Amy Balestier and Melissa Underwood moderate the site. Balestier has a daughter, age 2. Underwood has a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
They will manage the Question of the Week feature, guard against site misuse, choose Featured Moms from user nominations, and facilitate discussions as necessary.
LancMoms.com is sponsored by Ephrata Community Hospital, which will also provide some health content of service to mothers.
Hospital spokeswoman Joanne Eshelman, who is also a mom, said that because the site is customized for Lancaster County, it is an appealing way for local mothers to build community.
Derr said LancMoms.com does not have intrusive advertising such as pop-ups. Advertisers buy space on the leader board or the side of the page.
"The good thing about a niche site for the advertiser is they can reach their target," Derr said. "And the consumer gets ads of interest to them."
LancMoms.com is a new LNP product, but a separate entity from its newspapers. It is not intended to drive visitors to LancasterOnline.com, Derr said.
LancMoms.com was created by a committee representing several LNP departments that do not typically interact with each other.
"Everyone on that committee is excited about the site and really threw themselves into it, so that removed any challenge," Derr said. "For me it was really inspiring."
Fitting, for a service designed specifically for mothers.
"Ultimately," Hough Roda said, "I expect this site to be a place where I can find support in fulfilling the role I love more than any other: being a mom."
Jeannette Scott is a Sunday News staff writer. Contact her at jscott@lnpnews.com or at 291-8689. 
