Making adult friends is one of the hardest things to do. Making mom friends is slightly easier. Mom friends are easier to find compared to finding non-work related adult friends. I’m not even sure where non-mom people go to make friends because before I had kids, I only had work friends and school friends. Now, I have mom friends, and I’m going to share my secret to making mom friends and finding my village.
The first step to finding mom friends is to connect with other moms in your community. You can find moms on the Internet, at the library, and almost anywhere they offer programming directed and infants and children’s.
Don’t think there are any programs for moms in your community? Look again. Connect on Facebook, and if all else fails, build the space.
It’s not just as easy as showing up to a playmate, making mom friends is a little harder than that. You might be able to attest to this as you’ve stumbled upon this blog post in desperation of figuring out the secret.
My secret to making mom friends is to keep showing up.
Keep Showing Up.
You might make friends at the first get together. Honestly, you probably won’t. Chances are you’ll be shy, awkward, and unsure of yourself. As a mother, we are already in a place of self-doubt, and constant internal judgment that the first get together with strangers is a terrifying thing ever.
Okay, maybe it’s no big deal. The first time is the awkward dance of talking about the weather and apologizing for your child’s behaviour. I always leave the first encounter feeling like an ass, and feeling even more alone and defeated.
If you can make it again and again, then you’ll build the connections you need to make mom friends. Even if the mom you connect with the second time turns out to be a complete dud, perhaps she’ll be the door to someone who is completely your jive.
Keep showing up to play dates, mom’s night out, walks, and fitness classes.
Every time you show up gives someone else the chance to remember you, to ask you something, and to build the very foundation you need.
As an introverted extrovert making mom friends aren’t my forte. I might organize my local Hike it Baby chapter, being an active participant in my local online mom’s group, and a regular face at the breastfeeding groups in town, but the first meeting is intimidating, scary, and rarely an instant connection. However, the more we see each other’s faces, children, and do things together, the more we have an opportunity to build our relationship. Don’t be discouraged if you leave the first play date without an instant connection. Give it time and keep showing up.
BONUS TIP: Be your true self. Meeting mom friends is hard, but don’t fake it. Be your true self. It’s okay if that means we don’t jive at the end of the day. Just keep trying.
Yes, to all the above! It definitely takes more then one go around. I laugh at the quirky 1st time meet up because everyone else is talking because it’s not their first time!! I have gotten so much better at meeting mom friends almost anywhere now. Almost. My problem was I didn’t talk. Now I have realized if I speak others will speak back. Hike it baby is a great way to meet other like minded ladies I met a few great ladies with that group!
I so agree with the “keep showing up”, I’m afraid that’s where I really fail. I’m lucky though that most of the mum’s of my daughter’s friends are friends of mine too. We’ve known each other since they were little. 🙂
I found it easy to connect with mom friends because we were all first time moms and were all learning by doing.
I love your post! Making mom friends has been a struggle for me because it’s just easy to stay at home with my kid. I can’t wait to utilize some of your great advice.
I’m definitely shy and awkward, making it extremely hard to find friends, but I’m still working on it. In the process, I’m trying to make sure my daughter doesn’t develop my quiet nature.
I couldn’t agree more with this! Such a great post!
Belle | One Awesome Momma
i loved this post! i am the kind to approach strangers lol. i love to make mom friends. it makes it so easy to be able to relate and understand the way life works!
Showing up is definitely half the battle. Gotta work up the courage to get my butt outta the house!
This post is kind a reminder for me. I shold go out and meet my freinds. Showing up is so difficult at times that You just cant go out because of n number of reasons. Thanks for sharing this Loved reading it.