I remember the first few months of being a stay-at-home parent. It was just me and my baby boy, all day. If the weather was nice, I would push him up and down the street in his stroller. We’d go back inside and nurse. When he was about six months old, we would go around the house and I’d let him flip the light switches on and off. This was the most exciting part of our day. All this being said, the baby and toddler stages can be incredibly boring. It wasn’t until I found my neighborhood mom’s group that I felt like I was alive again. If you’re looking for a way to connect with other moms, here are a few useful resources that can help.
MOMS Club International: Without this organization, I don’t know if I would have survived that first year of motherhood. MOMS Club allows you to find age-appropriate playdates, events, and even MOMS Night Out shenanigans with other mothers your area. With chapters all across the world, you can use the MOMS Club International website to help you find the closest one to you.
Peanut App: If there’s Tinder and Bumble for friends and dates, there has to be an app for mom friends right? Right. The Peanut app works in a similar way, where you upload your picture and other information and then look through other profiles to find mom friends that fit you. When your matched up with another mom, you can connect via chat in order to plan play dates and get-togethers. Take advantage of modern solutions like Peanut app to help you navigate through the hardest years of motherhood!
Facebook: It may seem silly to post a personal ad on Facebook looking for mom friends but that’s how I found my best friend! Five years ago, she posted on our neighborhood Facebook saying that she was a stay-at-home mom with a five month-old and she was looking for friends in a similar situation. I was, in fact, in that exact situation with my five month-old. We met at the neighborhood park and we’ve been best friends ever since. Therefore, if you are tempted to post or reply to a personal ad for mom friends, go for it! Just make sure that you first meet at a safe place.
Meetup.com: Yes, another website, but it’s 2019! It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for mom friends or an underwater basket weaving club, Meetup.com has a group for you. You can narrow your search down by your location or specific preferences (ex: moms of toddlers). Plus, joining is free and super easy.
MOPS: MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is another worldwide organization that provides gathering opportunities with other mothers at a location near you. Even if your kids are no longer preschoolers, they now offer MOMSnext groups for mothers of school age kids. Go to their website in order to find your closest MOPS group!