A Cyber-Klatch for Harried Moms

In this week's "Cybershake," we note a Web site run by a stay-at-home mom who offers a sympathetic shoulder and a lighter-side look at modern day motherhood. Plus, we take a look at a device that has power -- to cut the clutter for consumers with a lot of energy-draining, high-tech gear.

An Online Timeout for Mommas

Motherhood isn't easy. Dealing with messy diapers, colicky infants and fussy toddlers who won't eat a healthy dinner that took hours to prepare are just some of the chores a mom has to deal with on a daily basis. And for thousands of other moms who have to juggle household chores along with the responsibilities of a professional career, maternal moments might seem a little maddening at times.

That's why Jen Singer, an author and stay-at-home mom, started up her free Web site called MommaSaid.net -- a "virtual backyard fence" here mothers can gather, learn from and even "vent" with each other online.

"In a lot of communities there aren't as many stay-at-home moms as there use to be so there aren't as many people who are in the same boat as you," said Singer who started the site two years ago in her home's basement in Kinnelon, N.J. "But you can come to MommaSaid and find thousands of other moms who are in the same boat."

On her Web page, Singer has tips from as many as 12 columnists and experts offering advice on topics such as how to have that talk about "the birds and the bees" and what to do if your kids don't like an ex-spouse's new partner.

But MommaSaid has a funny side, too. In the "laugh" section of the site, Singer has a blog that outlines some of the touching, and often funny, daily experiences she's faced in raising her 8- and 6-year-old boys. She even posts an occasional "Momma-logue," one-minute digital video clips on the lighter side of motherhood -- such as the time she tried to teach her kids the basketball game called "horse."

"MommaSaid is comic relief for moms on the brink of desperation," said Singer. "It's a place for stay-at-home moms to go and get a little laugh and learn a little something, and realize that they're not alone in feeling that maybe being home with their kids all day isn't always the baby lotion commercial that people make it out to be."

The site even encourages other moms to help each other. A "Linger" section lists tips offered by other moms on the site; a meeting room to find other support and activity groups; and even an area where journalists can find parents to use as sources for their stories.

Interestingly enough, Singer said she's not looking forward to Mother's Day this weekend. Like many moms, she'll be busy that day cleaning the house in preparation for a visit from her mother-in-law.

"Moms deserve a day off," said Singer. But, "they won't get it on Mother's Day."

Instead, Singer and Parenting magazine are currently promoting June 27 as the third annual "Please Take My Children to Work Day." It's a "holiday" for part- and full-time, stay-at-home mothers who are encouraged to take the day off by finding a relative, neighbor, friend or baby sitter to take care of the kids, says the MommaSaid.net Web site.

-- Cheri Preston, ABC News

One Charger to Power Them All

For today's high-tech road warrior, it's all about power. That is, getting enough electrical juice to charge the batteries for their cell phones, laptops, music players, cameras and other portable digital gear.

"People have more mobile devices today than ever before," said Charles Hodges with Radio Shack. And the national chain of electronic stores is offering a sleek alternative to carrying a suitcase full of battery chargers.

It's called the Juice, a so-called universal power adapter made by iGo in Scottsdale, Ariz. Although it looks like any other power adapter that supplies power to laptop computers, the iGo Juice is specifically designed to supply power to almost any portable electronic devices currently available.

The secret: Embedded in the Juice are computer chips that regulate how much electricity to draw out of a wall outlet to match whatever the needs of the device attached to it. To connect the Juice to their portable gizmo, such as an Apple iPod, consumers just need to use one of the correct sized "tips" that would fit into the power in port of the device.