Did you know 64% of moms feel friendless? That is a staggering statistic. The fact is, motherhood can be seriously isolating! Whether you moved to a new city or just welcomed a baby to your household, each stage of being a mom presents challenges that almost always involve loneliness. And throughout each challenge, you just want another mom to relate to. Having a mom tribe to share with, lean on in times of difficulty, and spend time with is essential to taking care of yourself.
But since this global pandemic hit, it is IMPOSSIBLE to find and make mom friends. Not only are mamas the loneliest bunch, they also are the busiest and hardest to track down. With social isolation and the cancellation of so many of social functions, the chances of meeting a new mama friend are far and few between. In honor of National Friendship Day (July 30th), we’ve pulled together our list of three simple ways for moms to find and make mom friends they will keep for life.
1. Attend virtual mom & me classes (like a mommy & me yoga class).
We’ve found that no matter where you live, whether it be a big city or a small town, you can almost always find a mom & me class for you and your little one. Here’s why that’s awesome - first, you know that everyone attending is a mom. Second, having your kids with you is a great ice-breaker for meeting someone for the first time. I mean, how easy is it to "ooh and aah' over each other’s babies as you get more comfortable with each other? Third, these classes tend to be pretty inexpensive (yay affordability!) now that they are online. So head to a class and start mingling with potential mom friends! And don’t be shy - if you vibe with someone, ask for her phone number and set up a coffee date. We highly recommend finding and discovering events on Kidpass. They offer more than 10,000+ virtual classes!
2. Join a mom friendship app like SocialMama.
Technology is truly amazing these days, so use it to help you! SocialMama is an app built by women to help moms connect and build friendships. You simply tell the app what kind of mom you’re looking for (i.e. couch potato vs marathon runner) and make “unique need” selections such as divorce, autism, or infertility, and the app matches you with moms! Whether you’re looking for a mom in your neighborhood or someone to chat with around the world, SocialMama will find the right mom for you. The app also features an open mom Forum where you can ask experts (ranging from family medicine to pediatricians) questions, give your own advice, and join discussions in their *zero mom shaming* community. The app has free events that offer your an opportunity to increase your friendship chances as well. SocialMama is available for a free download on the App Store and Google Play.
3. Go to the dog park
Before you say, “But I don’t have a dog!”, just hear us out. There is no better way to casually start a conversation with someone than around adorable fur balls playing in the park. Don’t have a dog? Go to your local shelter and ask to take a dog to the park, for a walk, or even as a short-term foster. You could ask a friend or family member with a pup to go on a trip to the park with you! There are many ways and we promise it will work. Start talking to women while you’re there and you’ll be happily surprised that you can talk casually and get to know them, without the pressure. That’s all the dog park does, it takes away the pressure and makes it easy to talk to people (we’re talking to you, introverts). Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed. Hint: don't forget to wear your mask!
Finally, we leave you with some advice for you ladies looking to make great mom friends - this takes EFFORT. You aren’t going to make friends without trying, so be ready to put a little effort in to get what you want and find what you’re looking for. If you join a mom app, make sure your profile is putting your best foot forward, or if you attend a virtual event, turn your camera on and don't be afraid to ask for someone's contact info. Good luck building your mom tribe, you’ve got this!