On any given night in Gretna, the biggest drama in town isn’t happening on a stage or a football game but rather unfolding on Facebook, inside the private Gretna Moms group. Thousands of posts cycle through every week, including questions about daycare, rants about traffic, debates on school topics and even reports on locating lost children. It’s part community bulletin board, part virtual neighborhood watch and part reality show.
The group has been in existence for 18 years and boasts over 4,600 members, making it one of the most active online communities in the Gretna area. For many, the group started as a lifeline.
“I joined the Gretna Moms Facebook group when I found out I was pregnant, because I had heard that it was full of helpful resources, and really the only thing I wanted to get out of it was finding an in-home daycare for my child,” a Gretna mother in the group who is also connected to education said. She, like others in this article, wanted to remain anonymous for this story.
The group does provide a wealth of information. Moms share recommendations, post safety updates and rally support when someone needs help. The page has become a virtual town square for the community. According to one moderator, the goal has always been connection.
“The group’s main purpose is to provide information and support to Gretna area moms,” wrote one of the six moderators of the group in an email interview. “I wanted to help moderate the group to keep communication respectful and relevant. Over time, the group evolved into something more complex. Parents use it to share resources and support one another, but with so many voices in one space, different opinions are inevitable.”
As the moderator suggests, growth brings both opportunity and challenge. With more members participating, the balance between openness and respect is one of the toughest parts of maintaining such a large online forum.
“In any group, there are many topics that can be sensitive since we all come from different backgrounds and have different views,” wrote the moderator in an email. “We are all entitled to our opinions, as long as everyone is being respectful and the conversation is constructive. Unfortunately, with so many voices, conflict can also become an issue.”
That conflict often surfaces when posts about schools, teachers or community events can quickly spiral and become personal. One mom admitted that she feels uneasy when people call others out by name. Her frustration reflects a common theme among members: the disappointment when the tone of conversations shifts from helpful to hostile.
“When people are name-dropping and being overtly negative, that’s always just kind of frustrating to me, because I don’t feel like that should be the purpose of the group,” the Gretna mother said.
A feature of the group, anonymous posting, has caused debates on whether it is beneficial or not. While it allows members to ask sensitive questions without attaching their name or their kids’ names, it also allows bolder, sometimes critical, comments. Multiple members compared the atmosphere at times to high school drama.
“I think people are far more gutsy online than they are face-to-face,” the Gretna mother said. “It really is an extension of high school, because I think a lot of people are pretty fearless when they type things out, but I can’t imagine they’d have the guts to say to somebody’s face, especially because they’re able to post anonymously.”
Moderators see both sides and work hard to try to keep things balanced. Anonymous posts are welcome when they are constructive, but complaints aimed at individuals or businesses are discouraged.
“Some people don’t feel comfortable asking certain questions unless it’s anonymous,” wrote the moderator. “There are times when the anonymous feature gets abused, when people use it as a way to ‘complain’ about something or someone, without taking the time to address the situation in person. We try not to allow these posts if they turn negative.”
Despite the occasional drama, the page remains essential to many members. Moms check it daily, whether watching for updates or keeping an eye on the ongoing debates. Hot topics, such as school policies, often spark heated comments.
A recent post about Gretna High School’s new phone policy sparked over 100 comments within hours. What started as a discussion about safety and responsibility quickly turned personal, as moms clashed over different opinions. That can be a familiar pattern of the group; what begins as a question can easily spiral into a passionate debate.
“The phone policy was good. The moms were going bonkers. If anything is posted about school policies, it gets heated,” a different longtime Gretna Moms member, who is male, said.
Still, the group thrives when it comes together for its original purpose. Parents offer advice, share resources and celebrate wins.
“Our community can rally together when it comes to our kids, which is such a great thing to see,” wrote the moderator.
The group’s popularity is undeniable. Many moms confess they check the page almost daily, drawn in by updates and debates.
“I’d be lying, though, if I said I didn’t, you know, check the Facebook page nearly daily just to keep up with all of the community drama,” the Gretna mom said.
