Iโve heard it said that the early years of motherhood are the hardest time to foster true friendships. I get thatโ really I do. Girlโs days are few and far between, and it can be crazy hard to coordinate schedules long enough to find time to talk, let alone actually get together.
But, that being said, I can also say with 100% confidence that I have never had truer and stronger friendships than I do now, in this season of my life. These friends are elbow-deep in this motherhood thing too, and I truly feel that has made all of the difference.
A mom friend is the best kind of friend, and hereโs why:
Reasons Why Mom Friends Are The Best Friends
1. She understands when things get forgotten
If you forget to text back, she gets it. She knows that an unanswered message isnโt an indication of love lost, but just an indication of how dang busy you are. In fact, she may have gotten so busy herself that she didnโt even notice you failed to reply.
2. Donโt need to dress-up
You donโt have to dress to impress. When you show up to her house in a sweatpants, a messy-bun, and a tee covered in mac nโ cheese (at least, thatโs what you think it isโฆ) chances are sheโll be in the same thing!
3. No hurt feelings when plans fall-through
She wonโt get her feelings hurt when you cancel or reschedule plans, even when it happens more than once. Have a sick kid, need some family time, or just donโt feel like going through the motions of leaving the house? Sheโll understand and embrace your decision.
4. Sheโs thrilled with you
You have someone to celebrate all of the awesome and exciting accomplishments of your kids. First steps, a random act of kindness, a spot on the honor rollโ you name it: if your kid did it, and youโre excited, she will be equally as thrilled.
5. Sheโs been through it to0
You also have someone to vent to when your kids are being little turds. Kid #1 got into the hot pink nail polish and painted the house? Kid #2 threw an Oscar-worthy tantrum in the middle of Target? Tell her about it. Sheโll be there to listenโฆ and refill your wine glass.
6. Sheโs a solid person with solid answers
You have someone to look to for solid answers. Whether youโre in need of a cleaning hack, parenting tip, or solid relationship advice, thereโs a good chance that she has been there, done that, and lived to tell the tale (and give pointers).
7. No shame about anything
She doesnโt mom-shame you. No two moms do things exactly the same all of the time, and she understands that. Instead of judging, she supports and celebrates your parenting style, even when itโs different from her own. Sheโll even turn the other way as you brush off a piece of food that has exceeded the โfive-second rule,โ and feed it to your kid anyway.
8. Same experiences as you
All of those really gross and embarrassing issues that have plagued you since your motherhood journey began? Sheโs probably experienced some of them too. Hemorrhoids, skin tags, sour-breastmilk scented bras, hair popping up in weird placesโฆ (should I continue?). Guess whatโ sheโs been there! At some point, she has probably also peed her pants just a little bit when sneezing in public, so thereโs that for something to bond over.
9. As a mother, sheโs a truth teller
Sheโll tell it like it is. Look, sheโs used to dealing with kids all day, too, and probably doesnโt have the patience or energy left to sugar-coat things. She loves you and wants whatโs best for you, so sheโs not going to beat around the bush and leave things unsaid. Sheโll be the first to tell you when you need to reevaluate a decision. Sheโll also be the one to tell you when your dry shampoo just isnโt cutting it anymore, and your hair needs an actual shampooing (is that even a thing?).
10. Sheโs your personal cheerleader
You have someone else in your corner cheering you on and telling you how kick-ass you are. We all need to hear that weโre succeeding in this whole parenting/raising-constructive-members-of-society thing, and sheโll tell you every chance she gets.
11. Sheโll always be there for you
Sheโs reliable. You could call her at one oโclock in the morning in the middle of a snowstorm and you can bet that if you needed her, she would be find a way to be there for you.
12. Sheโs another parent to your children
Your kids have another adult figure in their lives. Whether they refer to her by name, call her their aunt, or respond to her as a second mom, it never hurts to have one more set of eyes, ears, and hands hanging around. She also wonโt hesitate to step in to discipline your kid when youโre not around, should the need arise.
13. She finds the same things funny
She thinks all of those motherhood memes, posts, and videos are hilarious, too. You now have someone to tag on Facebook beside your guy (trust meโ heโs breathing a sigh of relief about this one).
14. Someone you can talk to
You have someone to confide in on those days when you just arenโt all that excited about your mom gig. Some days are just plain hard; some days make us dread doing it all over the next day. She wonโt judge you for feeling this way, and sheโll be there to lean on until you get back to a place of loving the mom life.
15. She is very loyal
Sheโs loyal. Even when you go for a while between chats, even when you canโt seem to find time in each of your crazy busy mom schedules for a cup of coffee, even when you feel aloneโฆ sheโs there.
And sheโll always, ALWAYS be there.
This story was submitted to Love What Matters by Casey Huff of Etched in Home. Submit your story here, and be sure to subscribe to our best love stories here.
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