Help me make a good impression with this new friend group!

[Anonymous]

I recently met a group of people through a hobby who are very social and invite me out frequently. I like pretty much everyone in the group individually and as a group and we have a shared connection through this hobby, where we live, and our general age group.

However I'm the only parent in the group. This is actually great from my perspective because I spend so much time hanging out with other parents (I have one very close friend who is not a parent and several acquaintances I see semi-regularly, but otherwise most of my friends have kids). It's really nice when I go out with this group that parenting is almost never brought up and we just talk about other stuff, mainly our hobby or other shared interests like travel, movies, etc. It is a great way for me to get back in touch with who I was pre-kids and to just spend a bit of time where "mom" is not the main thing about me.

But this difference makes me feel a little self-conscious. I'm paranoid about mentioning my kids too much or just not fitting in because my lifestyle is a bit different as a mom. I'm also one of only a couple married people in the group, but this seems like less of a big deal.

Any words of wisdom on how to make sure I don't screw this up? Would love to hear from people who aren't parents or parents who are part of social groups like this where they are the only one. I'm a bit surprised to discover this is harder than I though, or that I'm so aware of this difference.

[Anonymous]

Don't bring your kids up unless asked, and then keep the answer to a max of two sentences before turning the conversation away from them.

Are your kids excited for Christmas?
Yes, they're really hoping to get a basketball hoop in the driveway, which will be happening. What aspect of Christmas are you looking forward to/what's your favorite part of Christmas?

[Anonymous]

Just don't talk about your kids?

[Anonymous]

Definitely don't talk about your kids. Women who have nothing else or don't want to talk about anything other than their kids, should stick with other people with kids for friend groups. Which clearly you understand since you're trying to navigate this.

I make sure I am current on things going on in the world--other than partisan politics. (People who only care to talk politics are not people I want to socialize with. They are as myopic as people who think the world revolves around their kids and the current school gossip.)

Some people are interested in health topics, some (not as many) financial topics. Work. Exercise. Clothes. I just watched a 6 part series on fashion in the 90s. I know nothing about fashion, or fashion in the 90s and really enjoyed it. I love documentaries on pop culture events/people.

Just some ideas....