Friendship in Motherhood
Exhausted, overwhelmed, mom guilt, loneliness, and more. The more I speak with other moms, the more I realize we all have the same feelings regardless of where we work, how many kids we have, or our socioeconomic status. We spend so much time making sure everyone around us is cared for, we forget to take care of ourselves.
This is where other mom friends come in.
Friendship throughout life consists of people we have met in different places and phases of life: childhood, college, work, church, and the list goes on. But who is a “Mom Friend”? A mom friend is someone who has children of a similar age as your own who will laugh and cry with you through the ups and downs of motherhood. This person can be your best friend or just the friend you call on when you need them.
Mom friends not only bring you joy as a mother, but also add to your joy in motherhood. I am lucky enough to have a mom friend who has been in my life for over 12 years. She has a son right in between the ages of my daughter and son. The beauty of this friendship is that she knows before I even say a word. She has no judgment and tells me I am doing a good job even on my worst days. Mom friends see you first, but also show up for your kids!
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26
Mom friends remind you that perfection is not the goal. Girl, you are busy! Between making sure dinner is cooked, the house is clean, Tommy’s haircut, and Jimmy’s doctor’s appointment, sometimes the ball gets dropped, and that is OKAY! Mom friends are there to remind you that the goal is raising little humans who will grow up to live and love well in an imperfect world.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
Motherhood is something you do not understand until you are living through it. Childless friends and even husbands can empathize with you, but no one offers encouragement and support like another mama who is in the trenches with you. You go through a bit of an identity crisis once you are handed a child for the first time. Your goals, priorities, social lives, and work lives change. Having a mom friend to lean on makes this transition less stressful and helps you find your way on this new path.
Give yourself permission to share your joys and struggles with other moms. Be transparent because other moms are going through the same things you are. Connect, create moments, and know we cannot do this alone, and that is okay. Make mom friends and BE a mom friend. Give yourself and others grace
Gather at the table and talk about it!