In April 2006, two American mothers—Lynda Quintana from Texas and Melanie Ham from North Carolina—found themselves navigating the exciting but sometimes overwhelming experience of raising young kids in Shanghai. Seeing a need for connection, they created Shanghai Mamas as a Yahoo Group, envisioning a space where international parents could share advice, resources, and friendship. What began as a small online group quickly blossomed. Within just six months, nearly three hundred members were actively participating in lively discussions about everything from finding pediatricians to navigating local schools.

Growing Together

The group’s first milestone celebration—our birthday party in 2007—marked the beginning of ShanghaiMamas as more than just an online resource. (insert photo) By our third birthday in 2009, hundreds of families gathered to celebrate what had become an essential support network for international parents throughout the city.

When Lynda returned to the United States in 2009, she entrusted Melanie with the flourishing community they had built together. Recognizing that ShanghaiMamas had outgrown what one person could manage, Melanie formed the first Executive Committee—a dedicated team of volunteer mothers who shared a vision for what our community could become.

Building a Digital Home

As our membership continued to expand, so did our need for a digital space that could better serve our community. The Executive Committee, along with talented volunteers from within our membership, worked tirelessly to develop our first independent website—a place where conversations could be organized into forums, members could connect based on common interests, and the community could truly thrive.

This new platform wasn’t just a website; it was a labor of love built for mamas by mamas, reflecting the collaborative spirit that has always defined our community.

Where We Are Today

From those early days around kitchen tables, ShanghaiMamas has grown into the largest community for international families in Shanghai, with over 5,000 members from around the world. Since 2010, we’ve hosted countless coffee mornings, seasonal celebrations, and community events that bring our online connections into real life.

Through all our growth and evolution, our fundamental purpose remains unchanged: providing support, information, and a sense of belonging for all families in Shanghai, whether they’re new to the city or new to parenthood. We create connections that empower every mama to thrive through shared knowledge, mutual support, respect, and an inclusive community that feels like a home away from home.

As we look to the future, we remain committed to the vision of our founders—that no family in Shanghai should ever have to navigate the joys and challenges of parenthood alone.