Moms Council: Making New Mom Friends

Moving to a new community can be daunting enough, as you meet your neighbors and learn where the supermarket is. But if you have kids, how do you make friends? Do you get past any shyness and chat people up at the playground? Do you join groups? Our moms council tackled this issue in today's Q&A.

(Please note: Two of the moms are away on February vacation this week).

Heather Stephens:

When I first moved to Weston over 14 years ago, I was one half of a young married couple sans kids.  For those first 2 years, my husband and I spent our time commuting back and forth to the city and didn’t make many local friends other than our neighbors.  It was once I had my daughter that my neighbor told me that I should join the Weston Community Children’s Association (WCCA). It was the best advice I had received as a new mom!  (Thanks Trish!!)  Through the WCCA, I quickly met women just like me,  many of them first time moms, several of whom had made the same decision I had just made, to stay at home. We became a support group for one another as we navigated our new world of sleepless nights, colic, teething pain, breast feeding and juggling our roles as mother and wife.  Some of my closest friendships today were born of that original playgroup, back when our play dates were more about socializing and support than about the kid’s interactions. The WCCA is an invaluable resource for those looking to connect with other moms (and dads) in Weston, whether you are a new mom or have several kids.  I encourage you to visit their website for more details and join this extraordinary community. 

Another source for adult friendships is the Weston Newcomer’s group which I know my friend Lisa can speak to.  I, myself, hadn’t heard about this group until I was well past my “newcomer’s” status, but I have heard fabulous things about this organization and would have loved meeting other couples when I was new to town.  Another area organization that was very helpful for one of my friends was Isis Parenting.  Isis offers everything from parenting classes to yoga for the new mom.  They offer classes in various locations and can be a great way to meet other suburban moms! 

Let’s face it, parenting, while rewarding, is tough.  We all need to be able to share both our achievements and frustrations with someone other than our spouse and family.  If you are a new parent or new to town, take the time to look into the local resources that can help you build that support network.  You will form friendships that will last a lifetime, and help you manage the ups and downs of life.  They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I think it takes a village to raise a parent.

Erin Patterson:

Oh, I really like this question.  Especially since I have fairly recent, first-hand experience with this very issue.  My family and I moved to Weston when I was a month shy of delivering my second daughter.  My first daughter was 20 months old and I knew nobody.  We moved in the spring, and fast forward to summertime, I was alone in my new house in a brand new town with an infant and a toddler!  Let's just say it was a long summer!  We had lived in cities prior to Weston where your neighbors were likely to be your friends, living in close proximity to each other and I quickly found that in Weston, that wasn't necessarily the case - at least for me, since I'm the only house on my street.

When fall rolled around, my toddler started a preschool program and I joined the WCCA.  Immediately I met other moms and started making friends in Weston.  The WCCA was instrumental in helping me meet other families with similarly aged children and through play groups and age group activities, I slowly but surely made mom friends.  I also got involved in my older daughter's school PTO by volunteering as her classroom's room parent.  I got to know the other moms in the class that way, as well as chatting at drop off and pick up times.  Another way I met other moms was through children's programs at the Weston Rec Center.  My daughters and I took many a Music Together class where we sang and danced (poorly) along with other moms and kids!  My baby is now about to turn 3 - we've lived here for just about as long, and now I am hard pressed to go anywhere in Weston where I don't at least see a familiar face to smile, wave and say hello to.