How to Turn Those New Mom Friends into Actual Friendships
On October 20, 2020 by Megan FolsomBy now, I’m sure you’ve read all about How to Make New Mom Friends in 18+ Places: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3. So…you’ve met some new people, maybe exchanged some contact info or names… but now what? You want to become actual friends, not just random acquaintances… but how?!
I’ve got some ideas for you!
- Use social media to your advantage. Add them on Facebook, follow them on Instagram. This helps you to stay relevant in their lives and also helps them remember who you are. Plus, it’s an easy way to interact, learn more about each other, find things in common and build a friendship without having to go too far out of your comfort zone.
- Invite them to get together somewhere non-threatening. For example, you could meet at a park, the library for story-time, a coffee shop or somewhere with a play place. You could also do something seasonal: a pool in the Summer, a pumpkin patch in the Fall or a sleigh ride/sledding in the Winter.
- Plan a play date. It could be just the two of you with your kids or you could invite a friend or two who you know are social and will help create a fun environment. (On the other hand, be careful not to invite a friend to your first play date who has a hard time opening up and may make your new friend feel excluded or uncomfortable.) You could meet somewhere public if it’s your first time getting together, or you could have them over to your house or backyard.
- Invite them to a girls’ night. Again, this could be just the two of you or a few other fun girls. Enter your email below to receive a FREE copy of my girls’ night guide!
- Plan a family barbecue, seasonal outing or get-together. This is a great way to include the whole family and may help you all feel more comfortable or safe initially. You can see if your significant others (SO) and kids get along.
- Plan a couples’ game night. Similar to the family idea above, this may feel a little less threatening and will also help your SO make new friends too. Game nights are a great way to break the ice, because there’s a planned activity and there’s always something to talk about (the game). At the same time, it gives you plenty of time to chat without the pressure while people take their turns.
Tips
Be responsive when they text or DM you and try to interact on their social media posts. Also, make it a point to go when they reach out to you, even if you want to back out last minute. It can feel stressful to be in a new situation with someone new, but just remind yourself that they are probably feeling the exact same way as you: a little lonely and pretty nervous, but excited about the potential of a new friend to make it through motherhood with.
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