East End Mom Friends

Code of Conduct and Community Guidelines

Welcome!

East End Mom Friends (EEMF) is a collaborative community supporting parents in Toronto’s east end by helping them connect, plan, and thrive—without the hassle. Founded in 2022 by Trish Goodwin, EEMF includes an Instagram account, a website, and various WhatsApp groups for different interests and neighborhoods.

Admin Team

  • Main Admins: Trish GL, Cassandra J, Carleigh H, Kristie D

  • Moderators: Subgroups have additional admins. You can find each subgroup's admin in the “info” section of the WhatsApp chat.

Community Guidelines

1. Be Welcoming and Friendly

Kindness is our foundation. Everyone’s parenting journey looks different. Respect differences in culture, identity, and experience.

We do not tolerate harassment of any kind—directed at participants or admins.

Participants asked to stop harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Admins may take any action deemed appropriate, including removal from the group, blocking from Instagram, or public identification if repeated complaints arise.

2. “You Do You” Clause (Effective July 24, 2024)

This clause acknowledges that what works for your family may not work for others—and that’s okay.

However, this understanding does not include unsafe practices.

✅ What’s Allowed:

  • Differences like Cheddar Bunnies vs. Goldfish Crackers.

  • Respectful parenting choices that don’t endanger others.

❌ What’s Not Allowed:

  • Unsafe recommendations (e.g., improper car seat use, discouraging medical attention).

  • Comments that endanger children or put duty-to-report professionals in legal/ethical conflict.

Zero tolerance for recommending unsafe practices. Admins may delete these messages without notice.

💡 Informed Decisions:

 Respect & Kindness:

If a conversation makes you uncomfortable:

  • Disengage respectfully.

  • Contact an admin.

  • If the concern involves an admin, email Trish or Cassandra at admin@eastendmomfriends.com.

3. Be Respectful and Non-Judgmental

You may not agree with every parenting choice—but respect is non-negotiable.

Tips:

  • Use Content Warnings (CW) for sensitive topics.
    Format: CW: [Topic] (e.g., CW: Pregnancy Loss)

  • Praise publicly, criticize privately.

  • Share your experience instead of offering definitive advice.

4. Send to Admin for Review

If something in a chat raises concern:

How to Report:

  1. Tap & Hold the message

  2. Tap Send for admin review

  3. Tap Send

Let admins address the issue. Please do not handle it yourself.

5. No Medical Advice

  • Do not ask for or give medical advice.

  • Do share personal experience if it helps.

6. No Buying/Selling or Self-Promotion

 Updated June 2025:

  • Allowed: Sundays only in the BST chat, once per month per business. Small businesses are welcome to reach out to Trish or Cassandra for admin approval to share at other times.

  • Conditions: Must be your own, local, parent-owned, and not an MLM.

  • Admins may delete promotional content at their discretion.

🚫 Not Allowed:

  • Affiliate links, referral codes, and cashback apps.

  • General promo codes (private sharing is okay).

  • Fundraising posts (e.g., GoFundMe) – exceptions must be approved by admins in advance, and only when they involve a member of our community.

✅ For Buying/Selling:

Join these local buy/sell groups (list available in group resources).

7. Duty to Report

Some EEMF members are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Unsafe behavior may trigger legal obligations for these members. Be aware of this when posting.

8. Keep Privacy in Mind

  • WhatsApp is not private.

  • Screenshots and data sharing may occur.

  • Use caution when sharing sensitive information.

  • Profile photos do not have to be of your face, if privacy is a concern, an alternative photo is acceptable.

9. WhatsApp Chat Etiquette

  • Use your real name and profile photo—anonymous accounts will be removed.

  • Use replies to keep conversations on-topic.

  • Private message if appropriate.

  • React with emojis instead of unnecessary messages.

  • Don’t DM members without good reason.

  • Never solicit community members.

WhatsApp Subgroups

Join a subgroup that matches your interests or needs! This list is ever evolving as subgroups are requested by members.

Subgroup Name

Description

EEMF 2 or More

Parents of 2+ children

EEMF 2 under 2

Kids under 2 years apart

EEMF 2SLGBTQ+ Parents & Caregivers

A space for queer parents

EEMF Birchcliff and Area Parents

Local group

EEMF Book Club

Ongoing reads and discussion

EEMF Breastfeeding/Weaning Chat

All things nursing

EEMF Child-Free Meetups

Kid-free hangouts

EEMF Cosleepies

Safe sleep discussions

EEMF Cycle Friends

Biking with kids

EEMF Dairy-Free Parenting

Advice and support

EEMF Daycare & Childcare Providers

Discuss caregivers and childcare

EEMF Downtown & Waterfront Friends

For downtown families

EEMF Expat Parents

For newcomers

EEMF Formula Chat

Formula feeding support

EEMF Free and Trades

Free stuff and trades (by region)

EEMF Gledhill Park Area

Local meetups

EEMF Hiking Friends

Outdoor family fun

EEMF Home Edit BST

Furniture/home decor swaps

EEMF Meal Prep & Sharing

Ideas and recipes

EEMF Mompreneurs

Business chat – screenshots NOT allowed

EEMF NEW MOMS

Expecting & new parents

EEMF One and Done

Parents of one child

EEMF Parents of Multiples

Twins, triplets, etc.

EEMF Neurodiverse & Medically Complex

Supportive space

EEMF Postpartum Mental Health

Mental health support

EEMF Potty Training & Toilet Talk

All things poop

EEMF Riverside/Riverdale Friends

Local community

EEMF School-Aged Parents

K & up

EEMF Single & Solo Moms

Self-explanatory!

EEMF Sleep Talk

Sleep support

EEMF Stay-at-Home Parents

SAHMs unite!

EEMF Travel Talk

Trips with little ones

EEMF Upper Beaches Pals

Local group

EEMF Workin’ Moms

Working outside the home

EEMF Buy/Sell/Trade

Deals & promos (no meds, no animals)

Please note: this is a living document and may not always reflect the latest updates. Check in with admins for the most current info.

Resources

As our community grows, we’ll continue compiling resources shared by members.

Addendum: Member Removal Policy

Effective Date: September 2025
Reference: EEMF Admin Case – September 2025

In rare cases, the admin team may remove a member whose behavior repeatedly violates community guidelines despite multiple warnings.

When Removal May Occur

A member may be removed for:

  • Shaming/judging other members

  • Harmful or discriminatory comments

  • Repeated negativity or behavior that damages group tone

Process

  • Warnings are issued privately

  • Concerns are documented

  • Final decisions are made collectively by admins

After Removal

  • The member is informed respectfully

  • The decision is final

  • Admins will not discuss personal details publicly

Admin Message:
 “EEMF is built on kindness and mutual respect. In cases where behavior consistently conflicts with those values, and efforts at resolution are unsuccessful, we may remove a member to protect the integrity of the group.”

Note to Members

This has occurred only once in the past three years. As long as members uphold our values, everyone is welcome.

Credits and License

This Code of Conduct is adapted from:

  • Annalee Flower Horne’s Sample Slack Code of Conduct

  • Geek Feminism’s Community Anti-Harassment Policy

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution License.