5 Easy Ways to Make Mom Friends (Plus An App to Help!)
It can be isolating when you’re the only one in your friend group with kids or even if you don’t live near your BFFs anymore. Sometimes you need a little support from other moms to give you that extra oomph to keep going, someone who has been there, someone who knows what you’re going through, and someone you can call when you don’t know what to do or have questions you just can’t toss to anyone else.
Making mom friends can feel like a lost cause, even awkward or scary, but the truth is, you just have to know where to look and what tools are available to you! We’ve rounded up 8 easy ways you can go about it and even an app to download that can make finding your mom match as easy as swiping up or down!
Go to local classes. Chances are your city has tons of classes available to both moms and babies, so go ahead and register. Local classes-from mommy and me yoga to baby swimming lessons to mom support groups at your hospital-are all great ways to meet other moms just like you! All you need to do is sign up, show up, and say hello!
“The hospital where my daughter was born had a breastfeeding support group where moms could meet every week to ask questions and even talk about their struggles,” said Mini’s Editor in Chief Kate Kirby. “It’s such a great way to meet moms who are experiencing the same things.”
Get set up. If you’re new to your city, are moving, or just have yet to meet any other parents, let your friends set you up with those they might know in your new or current locale. Everyone knows somebody (you’d be surprised!) and it’s a great opportunity to let your other friends and even co-workers help you out.
Introduce yourself. Whether in person or through social media, it never hurts to reach out to a new friend yourself! If you’re nervous, remember that person was probably once in your shoes and with kids, you already have something in common! All you have to do is say hello, give a compliment, or ask to meet up sometime (hello, playdates!) and await their response. More often than not, they are happy to have a new mom friend!
“I don’t know many moms my age where I live, so when I found one through Instagram that looked like someone I’d like to hang out with (and with a baby around my daughter’s age), I sent a message!” said Kate. “You just have to get over your initial fear and go for it!”
Use social media. As we mentioned above, social media can be a great resource for moms looking for new friends! Use local hashtags (IE. #nycmoms or #lamoms) to find future friends or use the “Places” tab in Instagram to look for other moms in your area. You might want to buy followers to help give you a boost when you first make an account and help get you noticed, just remember your goal isn’t so much quantity, it’s quality.
Download the app. Looking for your mom soul mate? There’s an app for that! Download Peanut, an app that pairs you with moms in your area based on your interests. Free to download, Peanut uses the swiping method, like Tinder, to match you with other like-minded moms in your city. As with any social network, you begin by creating a profile with your name, location, and you have the option of including your children’s ages. Next, it’s on to choosing your interests where you can select things like “Sleep Deprived, Wine Time, Mom Boss, and Outdoorsy AF.”
After you’ve finished creating your profile, Peanut will pull moms from your area with shared interests and you have the option to swipe down for “Maybe Later” or swipe up to give them a “Wave.” If the other mom “waves” at you too, it’s a match and you are able to begin messaging each other. BAM, new mom friend! But don’t worry if someone didn’t wave back. You are still able to message them, your note will just be sorted into a separate folder.
And just today, Peanut launched a new platform, called Pages, for mamas to discuss what matters most to them. Pages can be found within the Peanut app as a smart platform for this new generation of moms to ask questions, share learnings, and be heard in a meaningful way, addressing issues on topics like pregnancy, work and money, love and sex, local happenings, and more.
How did you make new mom friends? Tell us below!
Now be sure to read How to Find a Babysitter (And What You Should Always Consider) or shop these 10 Must-Have Mom Shirts That Celebrate Motherhood.
Opening Image: Courtesy of Peanut