One of the more surprising bonuses to becoming a mother is meeting new people who you instantly click with and become your friends. At this later stage in your life, you may have thought you didn’t need any new friends – so making new ones is both a blessing and an unexpected gift.
Here are some of the types of mom friends you’ll meet and why you love them (and need them in your life):
The Mom you met in Hospital
You had your babies on the same day and bonded from one hospital bed to another, as you shared this momentous moment with each other. After you returned home with your tiny baby, maybe you met up in the park or at each other’s houses – going through the various stages of parenting a newborn together, and swapping tips while you commiserated on how little sleep you got last night.
The Super Organised Mom
You know the type: she’s the one you always message about the cake sale tomorrow and what the kids need to take for show ‘n tell. She’s super switched on and organised and if you’re unsure about any school activities, she’ll be the one to set you straight. She’s bought her kids’ personalised clothing labels a few months before the school year starts, she has a cupboard full of birthday party presents so she never has to buy anything in a rush and she never seems flustered. You can’t be like her, but you can always learn a thing or two.
The Honest and Un-Judgey Mom
This is the mom who revels in not being perfect and what a breath of fresh air she is! She’ll admit that parenting is difficult and that sometimes her kids eat cereal for dinner, but she’s happy and her children are happy and that’s all that counts.
The Fun Mom
This is the mom who doesn’t take life too seriously and loves gathering other moms so you can socialise together and enjoy a cold drink on a Friday after a long week. Parenting can be tough so this is one mom who shows you the fun side of it, lightening the burden as you share jokes and laughs.
The Experienced Mom
Maybe she’s having her third child while you’re having your first – and she’s far more relaxed as she’s done it all before. She’s the one who knows what that weird rash on your 2-year-old means, which toys your kids will ACTUALLY play with and she has so much to teach you about potty training a boy. She’s been there and done that and her advice is invaluable.
The Reliable Mom
Who else can you ask to pick up your child from school with 15 minutes notice, or arrange an emergency playdate because you need to visit the doctor? The reliable mom friend is vital to your busy life. This is the mom who will bring you painkillers when you get struck down with your child’s tonsillitis, look after your little ones if you’re moving house or help you out when you really need it. This is the mom friend you need most of all.
Of course, mothers are complex beings who are often all of these things rolled into one fabulous package. Reach out and connect with other mothers because it is too difficult to do on your own and raising a child really does take a village.
