15 Practical Ways to Meet (and Keep!) Good Friends as a Stay at Home Mom

They say to make friends you need to be one, but what does that even mean?

And how do you even make friends as a stay at home mom to begin with?

How to Meet (and Keep!) Good Friends as a Stay-at-Home Mom

How to Make Mom Friends as a Stay at Home Mom

I was the first of my friend group to have a child. And if you’re anything like me, you lost some friends when you had kids. I get it, sometimes those without babies don’t want to bother with the inconviences that come with them.

Needless to say being stay-at-home mom can be, well, lonely. Not just because of the loss of old friends, but the new challenges that arise when trying to make new ones. Also, being home with the babes is awesome, but also quiet isolating. Most days I don’t talk to an adult until my husband comes home. That can be challenging. You may also miss having friends who share your interests and who understand what you go through. But how do you find and make friends with other moms when you spend most of your time at home?

Making friends as a stay-at-home mom is not impossible, but it does require some effort and creativity. You need to be proactive and seek out opportunities to meet and connect with other moms. You also need to be open and friendly, and willing to initiate and maintain contact. Here are some tips and ideas on how to make friends as a stay-at-home mom:

Join a Local Moms Group or Club.

One of the easiest ways to meet other moms is to join a group or club that caters to your needs and interests. There are many types of mom groups and clubs, such as playgroups, book clubs, fitness clubs, craft clubs, homeschooling groups, etc. You can find them online, through social media, apps, websites, or word-of-mouth. Some examples of apps and websites that help you find mom groups are Meetup, Peanut, Mom Life, Hello Mamas, and Social.mom. Joining a mom group or club can help you meet moms who live near you, have similar hobbies, or face similar challenges. You can also benefit from the support, advice, and resources that these groups offer.

Attend Local Events and Activities.

Another way to meet other moms is to attend events and activities that are happening in your community. These can be family-friendly events, such as festivals, fairs, concerts, parades, etc., or mom-specific events, such as workshops, seminars, classes, etc. You can find out about these events and activities through local newspapers, magazines, websites, social media, flyers, or word-of-mouth. Attending local events and activities can help you get out of the house, have some fun, and interact with other moms who share your interests or passions.

Volunteer for a Cause or Organization.

Volunteering for a cause or organization that you care about can be a great way to make friends as a stay-at-home mom. You can volunteer for a charity, a school, a church, a library, a museum, or any other organization that needs your help. You can find volunteer opportunities online, through websites, apps, or social media, or by contacting the organization directly. Volunteering can help you make a difference in your community, learn new skills, and meet other moms who have similar values and goals.

Interested in making an amazing schedule so you can have more time for friends? See here: Ultimate Guide for How to Plan Your Day and Stay Productive

Start a Conversation with a Mom You Meet

Sometimes, you may meet a mom you really vibe with, whether it’s at the park, the grocery store, the library, or anywhere else. If you feel like kindred spirits, don’t be afraid to start a conversation. You can start by giving a compliment, asking her a question, or making a comment about something you have in common. For example, you can say something like “Your kids are so cute, how old are they?”, “I love your shoes, where did you get them?”, or “I see you’re reading the same book as me, what do you think of it?”. Starting a conversation with a mom you meet can help you break the ice, show your interest, and get to know her better.

Exchange Contact Information and Follow Up

Once you have a conversation with a mom you meet, don’t let it end there. If you want to be friends with her, you need to exchange contact information and follow up. You can ask for her phone number, email address, social media handle, or any other way to stay in touch. You can also suggest a specific plan to hang out again, such as going for coffee, having a playdate, or joining a class together. Then, make sure to follow up within a few days, by sending her a text, an email, a message, or a call. Following up can help you show your interest, build rapport, and establish a friendship.

Don’t Limit Yourself!

What if, try as you might, you can’t seem to find any moms that you vibe with? Or, maybe you like them but they’re not feeling it from you? DON’T FRET! Good friends don’t have to have the exact same background, experiences or even be in the same place in life as you. Older people, younger people, those without children, those with MANY more children then you, everyone you meet has something of value to offer. That doesn’t mean you need to be close with everyone you meet, but if you are struggling to find good friends (not to be too fishy with my illustrations but) widen your net.

Try striking up conversations with people you wouldn’t normally. You may very well be pleasantly surprised.

Feeling tired? Learn more about Self Care Here: 20 Invigorating Self-care Tips for Moms

How to Keep Those New Friends by Being a Good One

Friendship is one of the most valuable and rewarding aspects of life. Having good friends can enhance your happiness, health, and well-being. But how do you make friends in the first place? And more importantly, how do you keep them and deepen your friendship over time?

The answer is simple: by being a good friend yourself. Being a good friend means showing genuine interest, care, and support for the people you value. It also means being respectful, trustworthy, and loyal. Being a good friend is not always easy, but it is worth the effort. Here are some ways to be a good friend and make more friends in the process:

• Check in on your friends regularly. One of the best ways to show your friends that you care about them is to check in on them regularly. This can be as simple as sending a text, a call, an email, or a message to see how they are doing, what they are up to, or how you can help them. Checking in on your friends can make them feel appreciated, supported, and connected. It can also help you stay in touch and catch up on each other’s lives.

• Express your gratitude for their friendship. Another way to show your friends that you value them is to express your gratitude for their friendship. You can do this by saying thank you, giving compliments, writing notes, giving gifts, or doing favors. Expressing your gratitude can make your friends feel good, boost their self-esteem, and strengthen your bond with eachother. It can also help you appreciate your friends more and not take them for granted.

• Listen to them attentively and empathetically. Listening is one of the most important skills in any relationship, especially in friendship. Listening to your friends means paying attention to what they say, how they say it, and what they mean. It also means being empathetic, which means trying to understand their feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. Listening to your friends can help you learn more about them, show your respect and interest, and provide comfort and support. It can also help you avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

• Celebrate their achievements and support them during their challenges. Being a good friend means being happy for your friends when they succeed and being there for them when they struggle. You can celebrate your friends’ achievements by congratulating them, praising them, or joining them in their celebrations. You can support your friends during their challenges by offering help, advice, or encouragement, or simply being a shoulder to cry on. Celebrating and supporting your friends can help you share their joys and sorrows, and make them feel valued and loved.

• Be honest and loyal. Honesty and loyalty are essential qualities of a good friend. Being honest means telling the truth, keeping your promises, and being consistent. Being loyal means being faithful, reliable, and trustworthy. Being honest and loyal to your friends can help you build trust, respect, and credibility. It can also help you avoid betrayals, lies, and disappointments.

• Respect boundaries and preferences. Respecting your friends’ boundaries and preferences means accepting them as they are, not judging them, and not imposing your own expectations or opinions on them. Respecting your friends’ boundaries and preferences can help you maintain harmony, diversity, and individuality in your friendship.

• Share your interests and passions. Sharing your interests and passions with your friends can help you have fun, learn, and grow together. You can share your interests and passions by inviting your friends to join you in your hobbies, activities, or projects, or by exploring new things together. Sharing your interests and passions can help you discover common ground, spark creativity, and enrich your friendship.

• Be open and vulnerable. Being open and vulnerable with your friends means being willing to share your feelings, thoughts, and experiences with them, even if they are negative, difficult, or embarrassing. Being open and vulnerable with your friends can help you express yourself, relieve stress, and heal. It can also help you deepen your connection, and trust with your friends.

• Give space and time when they need it. Being a good friend does not mean being clingy, needy, or possessive. Sometimes, your friends may need some space and time for themselves, for their own personal reasons. Giving your friends space and time when they need it means respecting their privacy, independence, and autonomy. Giving your friends space and time when they need it can help you avoid suffocating, overwhelming, or annoying them. It can also help you appreciate your friendship more and not take it for granted.

• Be yourself and let them be themselves. The most important way to be a good friend is to be yourself and let your friends be themselves. Being yourself means being authentic, genuine, and original. Letting your friends be themselves means allowing them to express their personality, identity, and uniqueness. Being yourself and letting your friends be themselves can help you create a friendship that is based on honesty, acceptance, and respect. It can also help you enjoy your friendship more and not feel pressured or constrained.

Being a good friend and cultivating the type of friendship that will last a lifetime isn’t clear cut. It’s something we have to make time for, something we have to keep maing time for, and something that we will need to continually work on.

By being a good friend yourself, you can attract and keep good friends in your life. You can also enrich your friendship and make it healthy, fulfilling, and joyful.

Making friends as a stay-at-home mom can be challenging, but not impossible. These tips and ideas, can help you expand your social circle, find your tribe, and enjoy the benefits of true and lasting friendships.

Thanks Bunches for Reading!

Until next time,

Emma

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Another Resource:

How to Make Mom Friends + 15 Places to Meet Them – Home As We Make It.