When Making “Mom Friends” Feels Like Middle School All Over Again

When Making “Mom Friends” Feels Like Middle School All Over Again September 10, 2018

These days, I’ll be talking to a fellow mom who seems excited to make a new friend, and I see her eyes lose their sparkle the minute I jokingly say that my kids “drive me crazy sometimes,” or that I allow my kids to drink Coke on occasion, or my boys aren’t currently in organized sports, or…you name it. Normally, this kind of thing wouldn’t bother me at all, but again, I feel so vulnerable and exposed right now due to my desperate need to connect with other moms. I just want to find “my people” here where I live, and it’s proven to be more difficult than I could ever imagine.

Why do we do this, friends? Why do we tend to alienate each other based on the most ridiculous things? I honestly could care less if someone lets their kids drink soft drinks or if they only stick to colorless, organic beverages. Can’t we still find some common ground and be friends?

Isn’t being fellow mothers enough common ground?

I sure think so. In fact, I enjoy being friends with lots of different kinds of people, because I can learn something from each and every one of them. I’m not looking for my clone. I’m looking for real. Genuine. Honest. Trustworthy. Fun.

I need a friend who won’t be quick to judge me as a mother because my teenage son came to church with greasy hair and a shirt than was two sizes too small one Sunday. We’re working on that, I promise. But, seriously?

I need a friend who won’t avoid me at my child’s elementary school because my young son rang her doorbell five times just trying to see if her sons might want to come out and play. I am sure the multiple rings were a bit annoying, but seriously, can’t we stop the cold shoulder treatment and give a mom (and a kid, for that matter) another chance? Sigh.


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