Finding Your Mom Tribe

This post is one that is near and dear to me. I don't know if I could survive motherhood without the friends that I have. Having friends that understand and are going through the exact same situations you are, is so uplifting and reassuring.

Keep It Simple

One of the best parts of finding your mom tribe is you really shouldn't try too hard. Get involved in a couple of different mom groups and go to each a couple of times. You may only click with one mom, but guess what? That's all it takes. After you meet your first mom that's it, you have your mini tribe. Through her, you might find your next one or just keep going to the mom groups and outings. Don't force it or try to be everybody's best friend because honestly, it's exhausting being a mom, and trying to maintain several friendships can just add unnecessary stress and guilt if you aren't able to keep up.

Walking Groups

One of my favorite ways to meet other moms is through a walking group. The kids are usually in strollers so the stress of keeping your kiddo in check is gone, and you have the freedom to chat and socialize while getting in some much-needed fresh air. The group I just joined has been amazing! There are new and different moms at each walk so I have several opportunities to mingle. My two close mom friends also occasionally join so I can walk with them and have a quick catch-up. The walks are usually around 1.5-2 miles long, which is perfect for new moms recovering from labor and pregnant moms. Sometimes the more fit mamas go a second time to get their workouts in and others let the kids play after. I usually just take off, 35 weeks pregnant I'm pretty done after the walk and just want to put my feet up... not chase my toddler! If I don't let him play I always try to do an evening park run or play outside with him at home so he can still get his energy out, it's all about balance though. To me there is no point in going for a walk and doing something for me, then finishing it off with something I find stressful. It counteracts the benefits for me. Call me a selfish mom, but right now with only a couple of weeks will the baby is here, I am 100% prioritizing my mental health.

Playgroups

Playgroups are awesome to meet new moms, not only do you get to meet the moms you also get to see how your kids play together. For me, that's a big factor! Even if I click with a mom if our kids don't get along or their kid is a bad influence I won't pursue it.

Mom's Night Out

I have not personally been to one of these in a lonnnng time! For me; the mom's group here that did the mom's nights out took it as an opportunity to get very drunk and spend a ton of money. Not for me! I like to drink but I also still have a kid to raise and don't like being hung over. Also, we are a single-income home and out of respect for my husband I won't go crazy when I go out with friends. It was however a great way to see who the moms really were when their kids weren't around... HUGE difference!

Book Clubs

I love book clubs they are like a very reserved and purposeful mom's night out. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to focus on myself each day and add in some reading time. I forgot how much I love to read and how long it had been since I had read a book that wasn't a children's book or about raising kids. The first book we read was Where The Crawdads Sing, a great book, and when we finished it was just being released in theaters so we got to have that be our meet-up night!

Mommy and Me Classes

Every town is different with what they offer for mommy and me classes but most of the time it's going to be a music class like a jamboree or a workout class. Both are great. You don't get much time to interact with other moms except before and after the classes but it's a fun thing to do with your kid and still mingle.

Coffee Dates

These are often self-scheduled but sometimes there is a local group that plans them. I mean who doesn't love a reason to get coffee? Even if you don't meet anybody you like, you still got to treat yourself a little bit.

Church Groups

I recently got invited to a local church group for moms and love it! I am not the normal church-going type so I was a little hesitant to go at first, but I'm glad I did. They are a super welcoming and sweet group of moms. In most of the meetings, there is an activity to do, snacks, and great conversation. Even if you aren't the religious type it might be worth looking into.

However, you choose to meet new moms doesn't matter... just do it! You will not regret it. Having a close group of mom friends can make a world of difference in the good and bad times of parenting. My close friend told me about an article she read on mom friends; it explained that we all need our refrigerator friends. The friends that you go over to their house and you can go into the fridge without asking, sit on the couch and just relax. I loved that analogy! It's so true and makes you take a step back to really evaluate your friendships and the ones you are putting in the effort for.