Becoming a mother is an incredible, whirlwind journey that will leave you feeling fulfilled, honored, hopelessly in love, and utterly exhausted. You will undoubtedly have your good days and your bad days. Days when you feel completely on top of every aspect of your world and days when you feel like you cant get anything right. It’s those difficult days that are most overwhelming and isolating.
This is particularly true during the early months of motherhood when almost anything can feel foreign and stressful. Getting dressed and out the door with an infant, making a trip to the grocery store, attending a mommy and me class and, most importantly, meeting and making mommy friends can all feel like an incredible challenge at first.
You are not alone. These daily occurrences will begin to feel more normal everyday, but one thing that may always seem a little daunting and stressful is putting yourself out there and trying to meet like-minded moms to share in your daily motherhood experiences.
Meeting mommy friends is surprisingly similar to dating! It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and can feel a little (OK, a lot) intimidating. It is important to remember that most other moms are just as nervous as you are, even if they don’t seem like it. We’re all in the same boat, looking for the same things; fun activities to do with our little ones and other people to do them with, tips and tricks to make our lives easier, and people who can understand our struggles and triumphs.
A good mommy friend can be help with all of these things, so take a chance, put yourself out there and try to meet the right person or group that will make you feel a little more confident in your new role as a mom. Here are some suggestions to making this process just a little easier.
Great places to meet moms in your area:
- The park
- The playground
- Mommy and me classes. Most places offer a free trial. Don’t be afraid to hop around until you find the class and group that’s right for you
- Check out mommy meet up groups designated by different neighborhoods through websites, Facebook or even world of mouth.
- New moms support groups
- La Leche league meetings – Nursing or not, you can pop into a neighborhood meeting just to meet and interact with other mothers
- Bookstores
- Kids clothing or toy stores
- Museums
- Your building’s playroom
Ok, So you’ve spotted a few fellow moms. Now what?
- Try some appropriate “pick up” lines. Start with a question or a compliment as an icebreaker: “How many months is he/she?” “I love that onesie; where did you get it?” “That’s a great stroller toy!” “Do you like that carrier?” “Does he sleep through the night?”
- Be her knight in shining armor – It isn’t difficult to recognize a mother in need. If you see a mom who looks like she could use a hand with something… offer it. Pick up the bottle or pacifier her baby tossed out of the stroller or offer a hand when she’s trying to transfer her baby from carrier to stroller.
- Hold open a door so she can stroll into the coffee shop or store. She’ll do the same for you!
- Bring an extra toy or book to offer to her child in an effort to encourage a conversation and opportunity for the children to play and interact.
Great work! You’ve met some moms just like you! Now its time to make those friendships last!
- Remember to exchange contact information so that you can plan a future playdate or meet up.
- Offer to host a low-key play date at your home and then suggest making a bi-weekly or monthly play group that meets at a different person’s home each time.
- Find cool activities, open play spaces, playgrounds, free classes in your neighborhood and arrange to meet your new friends there.
- Send emails or texts to your new friends to check in on how they and their children are doing. Don’t be afraid to share funny or not so funny stories or pictures of your child. You can also share cool new products or activities you’ve come across that may interest them.
- Try to arrange for a babysitter and plan a night out with your mommy friend and her spouse.
Making new friends can be a fun adventure that you and your little one can explore together. You never know who you’ll meet so get out here and have fun!
Xoxo,
Sierra & Effie
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Effie Sakellis is a born and raised New Yorker, pediatric speech pathologist, mom and co-founder of CityStork Stroller Wheel Covers. She loves spending her free time exploring NYC with her family which she captures through the lense of her son’s instagram account @instamikienyc. Effie lives on the Upper West Side with her husband and son.
Sierra Ovadia is a Yoga instructor, mom and co-founder of CityStork Stroller Wheel Covers. She loves green juice, cooking, working out and spending time with her family. Sierra lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband and son.
CityStork was founded by two NYC moms to help make life with a baby just a little bit cleaner. CityStork’s Stroller Wheel Covers are designed to cover up dirty, germy stroller wheels and keep them concealed from clean floors, car trunks and curious little fingers. Check out more info at www.citystorkonline.com.
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