Comments on: Babies and Buddies: Do They Mix?

By: Phoebe

Phoebe — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 15:19:37 +0000

I don’t have many women friends to begin with. Now that I have a 10 month old baby, I find myself constantly struggling making mom friends. I try striking conversations with other moms I see riding the subway but it never leads to anything. It seems easier making friends with men than women. I am glad I am not alone.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:47:48 +0000

My story is very similar to Wendy’s, only add to that chronic health problems and looong winters and what you have is a monkess! Now if only I could find a hooded robe!

Although I have tried to make connections with some of the home school moms in the area, it seem that they are too busy.

Contentment and an independent spirit are qualities I have had to learn in increasing measure. Through my relationship with Christ and my husband it’s doable! However, it’s not for lack of trying or being introverted. I can talk to most anyone!

By: octaviaorca

octaviaorca — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:34:28 +0000

ever notice how at the park moms (who haven’t arrived together) talk through their babies and almost never make eye contact? even if you have seen each other week after week you never share first names… and then it gets to late to ‘introduce’ yourself. or that it feels like a singles bar at times? ‘you come here often’ being the only thing that comes to mind to strike up conversations.

i agree. it’s hard to make friends with babies around… mostly because i don’t always want to talk/hear about babies. there are too many land-mines. one woman likes to compare constantly, one woman feeds mcdonalds at age 3mo, one woman gets up in your business too fast… it’s too much to navigate when i have a less than agile mind from all the cookie monster songs.

we are like the other posters… we do classes, story time and park but the kids and i hang together mostly and though i go thru periods thinking i need to socialize the 2 year old more, i try get a little perspective and remember that she’s a great kid and i don’t think its time to worry. she doesn’t love to run and play with others yet but that will be something there is plenty of time to learn about.

By: Wendy

Wendy — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:48:59 +0000

I can relate and then some! Being shy and introverted doesn’t help. Living way out in the country makes it worse. Being the only homeschool mom in the community is kinda like the final nail. At this point, I think I’ve honestly given up on the idea of gaining any deep, meaningful relationships in real life…casual friends is probably the best I can do here. I still make sure the children are getting a good amount of socialization opportunities, so I’m happy with that.

By: Sarah V.

Sarah V. — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:52:35 +0000

I’m always struggling to make new friends. In one way, having a baby makes it easier to engage in small talk with other moms and say, “Hey, we both have little ones, let’s hang out.” But that’s only if I get the opportunity to actually talk to anyone!

I go to a playgroup every week and it’s just like the one described above–hectic. My one year-old son and I always arrive late so I miss out on all the conversations. Then I’m always chasing him as he tries to climb up chairs. I barely get to talk to anyone. Week after week we go to this playgroup and I still feel like a stranger to the group. I can’t help but feel like the outsider.

It’s so hard to break in. I don’t want to be melodramatic or paranoid, but I feel like they all hang out and leave us out. I mean, I remind myself that I go to playgroup primarily to expose my son to other kids but it’s as much for the moms, too. Hopefully I can actually talk to people when my son starts playing by himself.

Thanks for posting this! I (obviously) can completely relate! Good to hear I’m not alone in my lack of close mama friends.