I have been a mother for over a year, and throughout this past year, I’ve found myself wanting to make mom friends—friends who have children the same age as my son. This would benefit him by providing socialization with playmates his age and allowing me to connect with another parent experiencing the same developmental milestones as my child.
It is beneficial for mothers and parents to have friendships with other parents. Parents can share their experiences, knowledge, and resources. Additionally, friendships with other parents may provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation derived from those shared experiences.
I have formed a few friendships with women whose children are the same age as mine. Naturally, these friendships vary in depth. I’ll share more about these experiences in the suggested ideas for making mom friends below.
Friendship is like a fun adventure—it’s all about sharing laughs, supporting each other, and making great memories along the way. The more we invest in each other, the richer our lives become!
The Mother side
Navigating the journey of motherhood can often feel like traversing uncharted territory, especially when it comes to building a supportive community. As I’ve discovered through my own experiences over the past year, forming friendships with other moms can be incredibly enriching. These connections not only enhance our personal growth as parents but also provide invaluable resources and emotional support as we navigate the ups and downs of raising children. If you’re looking to cultivate meaningful relationships with fellow mothers and parents, here are five approachable strategies to help you make those important connections.
1. Join a Local Mom Facebook Group
Search Facebook for mom groups in your town, city, or county. I am a member of several groups and have witnessed immense support for fellow mothers. These groups also provide valuable local resources and facilitate knowledge sharing. Joining a local Facebook group is one way to make mom friends and ensure you feel connected to your community.
I have also seen many mothers make posts stating their children’s ages and expressing interest in connecting with mothers of children the same age as theirs. There are usually several responses from moms stating their children’s similar ages and expressing interest in scheduling a playdate.
If writing a post in your local Facebook mom group is a strategy that interests you for making mom friends, here are some tips. Send a private Facebook Messenger message to mothers who comment on your post and express interest in playdates. This will allow you to initiate conversations with potential mom friends, ensuring you have some initial interactions to build upon when you meet in person. Choose a public space to schedule your playdates. Meeting on neutral ground will ease the pressure of forming a potential friendship and help the children engage in positive play, as neither will feel possessive of the space or play equipment.
2. Attend Programs at Your Local Children’s Developmental Centre or Gym.
Search for any centers or organizations in your area that host activities for young children or babies, depending on your children’s ages. In my area, the county’s Child Development Centre provides a space for mothers to meet at a scheduled time each week. There is a session for new parents with children under 12 months and another for young children, typically those who are not yet of school age. They also host occasional events and walks for parents to attend with their children. If your area has a similar center or program, it’s worth following them on social media or periodically checking their website. Attending programs at these centers offers a fantastic opportunity to make mom friends while sharing insights on our children’s development.
I have two friends with whom I only chat at the mom group hosted by our local Children’s Development Centre; we discuss our experiences regarding our children’s growth and the developmental milestones they have reached while our children play. Although this isn’t a deep friendship—one I would call in an emergency—it is valuable to have friends with children of the same age who can relate to the ups and downs of motherhood and parenthood.
3. Sign up for an organized recreational class
For infants, there are swimming lessons, “mommy and me” walking groups, and “mommy and me” yoga. Toddlers can sign up for fine and gross motor skills classes, toddler soccer teams, or swimming lessons. Dance, gymnastics, sports, music lessons, and swim lessons provide options for preschoolers and older. While your child is engaged in the activity, try to spark a conversation with the other mothers present. If the conversation goes well, you could arrange a play date with your kids at a suitable local venue.
I have a friend who took swimming lessons in the fall. We arranged a playdate at an indoor jungle gym for our children to play while we chatted. We’ll also message each other on social media about our shared experiences of motherhood, such as daycares, as we are both working mothers.
5. Use Your Network
Do you have any extended family, friends, or acquaintances with children the same age as yours? Social media is a wonderful tool for keeping up with our extended networks, so you probably already know through social media who in your extended network has a child around the same age as yours. Try sending them a private message to initiate conversation or comment on their post or story. The children provide a shared interest to spark discussion, and conversation is how friendships bloom.
I have one lifelong childhood friend who had a son the same year as mine. We have grown closer by sharing our pregnancies and infant years. This is, without a doubt, my most profound mom-friend relationship.
I also have a cousin whose wife had a daughter just a few months before my son was born. We have connected at family events and maintained our friendship by texting about our experiences with motherhood. This mom friend and I have grown closer over the past six months.
4. Bring Your Child to a Play Centre, Indoor Jungle Gym, or Park
Take your child to a local play center, indoor jungle gym, or park, depending on the weather. A place you frequently visit is ideal for meeting other local parents. Consider starting a conversation with the mother or parent of the child your own is playing with. The kids and their activities create a shared interest to spark discussion. If the conversation flows well, you might suggest meeting the parent and child at the same play area on a specific date and time to avoid getting too personal too quickly.
As you embark on your journey to make mom friends, remember that building connections takes time and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. Whether through local groups, playdates, or shared activities, creating a supportive community can make parenting even more fulfilling. By using these strategies, you can create meaningful connections and truly make mom friends who will enrich your parenting journey.
I’d love to hear about your own experiences and any tips you have for making connections. Don’t hesitate to reach out and share your stories! You can follow me on Instagram for more parenting insights and community-building ideas. Let’s continue this conversation together!
You can find more helpful articles on my Tips & Info page.