Unexpected Places to Make Mama Friends

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No doubt about it, being a mama is hard work. But meeting mamas with kids who are around the same age can help lessen the burden of the day to day challenges. If you haven’t had to make new friends since those early days of ninth grade, here is a list of places that you might not have thought to look. You never know where you might find your new BFF.

You frequent these places already, and it’s likely you have things in common with others who frequent these places as well, so hopefully your “first meet” is a little less awkward than introducing yourself to a random mama at the playground.

Your Neighborhood

Chances are there are mamas with kids not too far away! You likely follow the same routes on a day-to-day basis, so you check out who has swing sets in their yard. Try playing outside in the front yard rather than the back. Lots of mamas walk in my neighborhood, and having your kids outside with you is a great way to break the ice. An added advantage to making mama friends in your neighborhood: your children are likely to be going to school together.

Your Child’s Extracurricular Activities

Sports teams, dance class, play gyms, etc. – you see these same mamas several times a week already and your kids share a common interest and activity. My son is in his second year of playing t-ball with the Columbia NW YMCA. You could be buried in your phone, or you could strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to you. I was lucky enough last summer to make a couple of nice mama friends, one of whom lives in my neighborhood! Her son and mine will be attending kindergarten at the same school in the fall.

Your Church

I am grateful to be a member of a church with a large children’s population. Helping out with the children’s activities as allowed me to get to know several mamas with kids my kids’ age. I’m so excited to watch our kids grow up together! We are building a great foundation of friendship with several families.

Your Gym

Joining a gym has been a huge benefit for me in a lot of ways. I get a mental break from being a mama, I’m improving my health, and I’ve made some mama friends! (Hint: you are more likely to meet a friend in a group exercise environment rather than being side by side on a treadmill. Try arriving early to class and just chit chat with those people who show up.)

Your Child’s School

My son has attended the same preschool for the past two years, and most of the children that were in his 3-year-old class were also in his 4-year-old class. I was lucky enough to hit it off with the mom of my son’s best friend. It’s not as intimidating to arrange a play date with someone your child knows from school.

Facebook

I went to high school in Newberry and lost touch with many of my classmates in the years since we’ve graduated. But many of us still live in this area, and it’s pretty awesome to reconnect with some of the women I went to school with. I’m actually better friends with a former classmate now that we are both mamas than we were when we were in school. If you are far away from your hometown, perhaps there are local people to reach out to.

Did you meet your mama bestie in an expected place? Tell us about it below!

2 COMMENTS

  1. I met some of mine at daycare (which I guess is the same as school). We come in and pick up at the same times. We share pictures of each other’s child. And our kids have been together since they were 3 months old.

  2. Hi! I’m just now seeing this post. I really enjoyed reading it! I just had to tell you that I went to Newberry High School as well. What a small world! I graduated in 1998. What year did you graduate? I have lived in Columbia for 6.5 years now and really like it. I too am a stay-at-home Mom of two little girls….the youngest is almost 3 months and the other one is almost 17 months old. I know, I have my hands full. Hahaha.
    I am definitely looking to make some mama friends so these are great places to start!

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