Making Mom Friends: Blind Dating all Over Again

Before my son was born, I worked full time in an office full of lovely people. I had friends to share my lunch with, people to gossip and laugh with, and coworkers I genuinely enjoyed. My day to day was filled with great interactions with people I respected. Nowadays, I listen to Mickey Mouse and “Shake your Sillies Out” on repeat. My 15 month old son sure likes to chatter, but his conversations seem to lack the same intellectual stimulation I was used to in the office. When he’s playing in the other room, I’ll sometimes put on Podcasts and pretend I’m sitting with another adult and listening to them speak to me. I might be at my wits end, here.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I LOVE being a stay at home Momma. This has been my life’s dream since I was small and I recognize that I’m incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to be here raising my son on a day to day basis. But does that mean I’m no longer able to have grown up conversations with anyone other than my Husband? He’s wonderful, but my excitement over a new facial toner doesn’t quite have the same appeal to him as it did to the ladies I worked with.

Since my kiddo is now at an age where he can play independently, I’ve been trying to arrange playdates for him with other local kids who are near the same age. Partially so he can have some social interactions with other little people but mostly because I’m hoping like hell that I’m going to meet a momma friend. Specifically, one who understands that a discount organic facial toner that WORKS is a miracle worth sharing.

The whole setting up play dates, though? I have to admit, it’s nerve-racking and feels exactly like a blind date. At least when you’re on a dating website you have a profile to glance over before you meet. What if you meet up for lunch at the park with a mom who thinks that drinking a glass of wine at night is too indulgent? Or she doesn’t swear? Or she swears too much? Why don’t we all have profiles with likes and dislikes that we can pass out to fellow moms at the park to help make these matches? (If I start passing out a personality profile, is that creepy? Too much, right?)

This parenthood thing is a lot. It has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. It’s incredible to feel touched out and alone at the same time. When you’re needed so much that you can’t breathe. And then to feel your heart explode over a smile. Some days, I feel so selfish for wanting some me time. I realize it’s only a matter of time till he’s 13 and tells me to leave him alone. And then the second I put him to bed, my arms feel empty. Add some hormones in there and you’ve got a perfect storm for complete and total burnout.

I long to belong to a mommy circle of like minded women. Who know what those fears feel like. Who will help me navigate this crazy motherhood gig. Someone who doesn’t judge me for hiding in the bathroom for 3 minutes alone. I want someone I can call in a pinch when I’m at my nerves end who can come over with her little one and distract my monster  toddler while we drink coffee and eat cookies. I want to celebrate the big and little victories along side a fellow momma warrior who understands that finding the right sippy cup is a BIG deal.

I’m sure that every mom at the library story time is probably living in the same Disney Junior bubble that I am, but getting the nerve up to ask her to coffee is terrifying! So, I’m proposing this – Ladies. From here on out, if you see another Mom at the park, library, grocery or Target who looks like she’s “Baby Shark”ed out, Reach Out. Let’s give each other a hand. Let’s go get coffee. Let’s set the kids free at the playground and vent about the price of diapers. Tell me about the way you tricked your daughter into eating carrots, or snuck broccoli into your son’s macaroni. I need those tricks, and I desperately need that community!

They say it takes a village. I’m committing to engage and take a chance, here. Who’s with me?