Other parents know longer keep in touch once your child leaves an activity

[Anonymous]

I’m just curious if this has been anyone else’s experience. So my DD was at a dance studio for almost 8 years. There were a few girls her age that have been there that long as well and she developed friendships with. In that time, I developed a bond/friendship with their mothers. We would often have dinner together or even get togethers at someone’s house in the summer in the off season. My DD has left that studio and is now at another one. I remember when I told the moms we were leaving we said we would keep in touch. Well that never happened. I would reach out and never get a single response. I tried to reach out 2 or 3 times before giving up. I’m just wondering if they don’t want anything to do with me since DD doesn’t attend the same studio as their daughters. Is this normal when a child leaves an activity or a sport?

[Anonymous]

Wut

[Anonymous]

Yes, this is common. Lots of mom friends are situational, based on the school or the activity. Same with neighborhood friends. It doesn't mean you can't create deep, long-lasting friendships with people you meet through your kids, but it's rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this is common. Lots of mom friends are situational, based on the school or the activity. Same with neighborhood friends. It doesn't mean you can't create deep, long-lasting friendships with people you meet through your kids, but it's rare.

This. Often a move, change of schools or change of activity is an endpoint. Sorry, OP. Hope the moms at the new studio are nice.

[Anonymous]

Sadly it is normal in my experience. I made many mom friends over the years and even when I believed our relationship would survive long-term even if our kids went in different directions, it never did. First there were the baby playgroups, then the preschool parents, then the parents on countless teams. I really tried but by MS reality set in that the other parents are friends for that season of life. It’s made me very hesitant to invest socially beyond pleasantries anymore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly it is normal in my experience. I made many mom friends over the years and even when I believed our relationship would survive long-term even if our kids went in different directions, it never did. First there were the baby playgroups, then the preschool parents, then the parents on countless teams. I really tried but by MS reality set in that the other parents are friends for that season of life. It’s made me very hesitant to invest socially beyond pleasantries anymore.

This is how I’m feeling. It’s really unfortunate it had to be like this though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly it is normal in my experience. I made many mom friends over the years and even when I believed our relationship would survive long-term even if our kids went in different directions, it never did. First there were the baby playgroups, then the preschool parents, then the parents on countless teams. I really tried but by MS reality set in that the other parents are friends for that season of life. It’s made me very hesitant to invest socially beyond pleasantries anymore.

Yes I've learned not to invest too much into friendships here because it's such a transitional area (DMV)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly it is normal in my experience. I made many mom friends over the years and even when I believed our relationship would survive long-term even if our kids went in different directions, it never did. First there were the baby playgroups, then the preschool parents, then the parents on countless teams. I really tried but by MS reality set in that the other parents are friends for that season of life. It’s made me very hesitant to invest socially beyond pleasantries anymore.

I am finding the exact same thing. I have been here for years and haven’t kept many friends.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the track

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the track

What does that even mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sadly it is normal in my experience. I made many mom friends over the years and even when I believed our relationship would survive long-term even if our kids went in different directions, it never did. First there were the baby playgroups, then the preschool parents, then the parents on countless teams. I really tried but by MS reality set in that the other parents are friends for that season of life. It’s made me very hesitant to invest socially beyond pleasantries anymore.

Yes I've learned not to invest too much into friendships here because it's such a transitional area (DMV)

Agree. Story of my life.

[Anonymous]

OP, it shouldn't matter ... but is there any way your move to a different studio meant you weren't satisfied with the first one? Or you were moving to something better, more prestigious or at a higher level? If they think -you think- you found something better, they don't feel as close to you anymore.

[Anonymous]

18:02 again. They don't want their girl getting together with your girl IF there's a chance their girl will think her experience is no longer as good.

[Anonymous]

Out of sight out of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this is common. Lots of mom friends are situational, based on the school or the activity. Same with neighborhood friends. It doesn't mean you can't create deep, long-lasting friendships with people you meet through your kids, but it's rare.

This. Often a move, change of schools or change of activity is an endpoint. Sorry, OP. Hope the moms at the new studio are nice.

Friends can be:
for a reason
for a season
for a lifetime