How do I make SAHM friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I joined my local MOMS Club chapter in two places I've lived since having kids. It was good for socializing (for my kids and myself) and filling our days, but I only made one good friend out of it. Doesn't hurt to try it out! There is a NW DC chapter, look for their Facebook group. I do find with these types of groups the moms of babies have to be more assertive. There are lots of moms with preschoolers and they bond over their kids playing together. One of my chapters did a good job of organizing play dates by birth year, which was a nice way to meet moms with similarly aged kids. The baby "play date" was basically moms talking and babies laying on a blanket hah!

I met my closest SAHM friends through Fit4Mom classes. I loved being able to work out and bring my kid(s) along. The atmosphere was very supportive, at least in the chapter I joined (Virginia).

I know it's a few years away, but many more opportunities for friendships popped up once my kids started preschool/elementary.

Can you SAH more about this? Asking as a SAHM to a kid starting K in August.

[Anonymous]

I went to Baby and Me classes, Music Together, joined the lactation group, Moms…
Am I the only person who found zero friends this way? I felt either people were not at all interested in socializing (just hyper focused on their kid) or they already all knew each other and I felt like an outsider. Maybe it doesn’t help that I’m AsianAmerican.

[Anonymous]

I went to ALL the classes and for months didn't click with anyone. I finally made a friend at the library the second year but she ended up ditching me for political reasons.
I didn't make any true blue friends until preschool age, for some reason that does seem easier! Maybe because the kids will play together so it is a nice buffer while you and the mom feel each other out.

[Anonymous]

Get your child socialized and making a few friends first. That is arguably more important at this point, anyway. Then follow your kid's lead.

Your spouse should always be your best friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get your child socialized and making a few friends first. That is arguably more important at this point, anyway. Then follow your kid's lead.

Your spouse should always be your best friend.

This truly made me laugh out loud. I should have known better than to ask this question here. Of course I’d get “why do you need friends, don’t you like your husband, focus on what your kid needs.” Thank you for the comic relief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get as vaccinated and boosted as you can, slap on a mask and head to the playgrounds. Head to story hour. Join stuff.

If I saw a person wearing a mask at a playground I would avoid them.

-Someone who just got a second booster

Most of the people I know getting covid now are getting it from outdoors

[Anonymous]

It's tough OP. I am in the same boat.

My kid is a young toddler and super friendly and goes up to random people when we're at the park and storytime. It helps break the ice.

There are also some mom groups in nearby neighborhoods that I like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Join mom groups. Get on facebook and look for "Tenleytown Moms." I bet there is something.

Mom's group - I'm in a couple and it's a bit annoying as a WOHM that all the meetups are during working hours during the week! Most SAHM don't want to meet up weekends. Fortunately there are a couple other WOHM so occasionally we have a weekend meetup.

Yeah I used to feel the same way when I WOHM. Now that I am a SAHM on the weekends I tend to let the DH do most of the lifting and I try to decompress a little. It's my time to take a break! Or we do family activities.

[Anonymous]

Find baby classes and mommy and me stuff that meet during working hours on weekdays.

[Anonymous]

Playgroups
Library story time
music classes
Walking the dog around the neighborhood
Preschool
Parks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I joined my local MOMS Club chapter in two places I've lived since having kids. It was good for socializing (for my kids and myself) and filling our days, but I only made one good friend out of it. Doesn't hurt to try it out! There is a NW DC chapter, look for their Facebook group. I do find with these types of groups the moms of babies have to be more assertive. There are lots of moms with preschoolers and they bond over their kids playing together. One of my chapters did a good job of organizing play dates by birth year, which was a nice way to meet moms with similarly aged kids. The baby "play date" was basically moms talking and babies laying on a blanket hah!

I met my closest SAHM friends through Fit4Mom classes. I loved being able to work out and bring my kid(s) along. The atmosphere was very supportive, at least in the chapter I joined (Virginia).

I know it's a few years away, but many more opportunities for friendships popped up once my kids started preschool/elementary.

Can you SAH more about this? Asking as a SAHM to a kid starting K in August.

K in my experience was easier than the younger years because school families are invested in the school and tied to the school’s schedule whereas moms you meet at the playground have different age kids, attend different preschools and elementary schools, and travel at different times because they have the flexibility to do so (ie, once kids are in elementary school, families generally plan travel over school breaks).

Hang out at the school playground right after school, become a room mom, volunteer for committees, etc. All of these are ways to meet other parents. Find out what extra-curricular activities are popular with the K kids and sign your kid up. When signing up, particularly if it’s a large program like Arlington soccer, make sure to request that your kid be on the same team as other kids from the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m a SAHM but nearly all my “mom friends” work. I think it’s just unusual to be a SAHM where I am. I suppose that means they aren’t available on weekdays but it’s never been an issue for the friendships.

+1
I'm a sahm but most of my mom friends work full time too and despite having demanding jobs I see them about as often as the few sahms I know. Most people are not like the mommy wars posters here. I probably know one who is and avoid her at all costs.

[Anonymous]

A mom in my neighborhood (Silver Spring) has a group for stay at home moms this summer - http://www.themamalovecollective.com/motherhood-circle.html I think she also teaches a baby & me class at Circle Yoga - Elizabeth Hubley. Definitely worth checking out! I did a mamas circle with her last fall and it was great.