All phases of life have ups and downs, and parenthood is no different. Raising kids is hard, from when they are little bundles of joy through terrible twos and the even more terrible teens. There never seems to be enough time, or enough sleep.
That’s where a support network of moms comes in. Other mothers who are going through or have gone through everything you are. They can be women you’ve known for years, who moved through the stages of life along with you. Or they can be new friends you meet. No matter how you meet them, they are your support network of moms.
As important and GR8 as your family is, your friends can have a special place in your life. They can help keep you sane, give you good advice, and help you laugh your way through parenthood.
How to Find Mom Friends
Often our relationships and friendships change as we become mothers. Our priorities change, but our need for connection doesn’t. Finding connection through a support network of mom friends helps keep us from feeling isolated and alone. And when our emotional needs are not met, we have a harder time being the best mom or partner that we can be.
Take some time to reflect on the types of support that are most important to you. Perhaps you need:
- A person you can vent to
- An unconditional, nonjudgmental supporter
- Someone who makes you laugh uncontrollably
- A person who understands how you feel
- Someone who sets a GR8 example
- A person you trust to give you good advice
- A mom who’s “been there”
It’s crucial to identify the types of support you need and then determine if you have people in your life who fill those needs. As you get more in touch with the kind of support you need, you can find people who fill the gaps. This can help keep you from ignoring your needs and not taking the time to meet them.
What Is a Support Network of Moms?
A support network is made up of people, in this case moms, that fill a need in your life. They are there for you when you need them, and you do the same right back. Relationships and friendships are reciprocal in nature, and the same goes for your support network of moms. Just as much as they support and advise you, you do the same for them.
Your support network can be any size you want it to be. It’s the quality of people in your network that is important, not the quantity. The most important quality is that they meet your needs and you meet theirs. A core group who can count on you, and you can count on them.
Over time, friend groups can change. Life changes, and so do they. Some become stronger, and others seem to fade away. When you focus on your family and your life, sometimes friendships get ignored. But, when this happens, good friends will still be there when you need them.
Moms give so much support in a million different ways, and this is made easier if you get the support and connection you need. Developing a support network of moms can help you be the kind of person and mom, that you want to be.
Originally published at https://www.gr8ness.com on May 18, 2020.
