Making mom friends can be one of the best gifts in your motherhood journey but it can also be one of the toughest things to do.
Friends during motherhood are the lifeline that keeps you going. They are the friends that are your biggest cheerleaders, your biggest confidants, the ones you get hand-me-downs from (and give them to).
Mom friends, particularly those with kids around the same age, can be friends you end up keeping for life. Many of us don’t start out with these friends though.
When It’s Time to Make Mom Friends
The friends you had when you were single are probably terrific friends. Sure there may be some that are not so terrific that you have lost touch with, but then there are those that are really terrific but you’re at different stages of life.
If you’re a mom who started early and you’re the first of your friends to have babies then you may be feeling a bit isolated from your group of friends who are childless.
Or, if you’re the last of your group of friends to have children then it may be tough to relate. You may feel a disconnect sharing your stories of baby vomit, and late night feedings while they talk about their teenage drama and finding a good college for their kids.
That’s when it is time to make some mom friends. If the idea of making new mom friends sounds a bit like dating that’s because it can feel a bit like dating. For most of us, it’s all awkward and weird until we get the hang of it.
How to Make Mom Friends
Making mom friends means sifting through and finding those gems whom you can relate to, have more in common with than just kids and really enjoy being around.
Social media has made it easier than ever to stay connected but there is something to be said about the power of connection in person. That is why more and more moms are using apps to help find and make mom friends in their own hometown. Here are the best apps for making mom friends. Check out The Secret to Making Mom Friends for other great ideas to make mom friends.
The Best Apps to Make Mom Friends
Peanut
The Peanut app uses the data on your Facebook profile to help you connect with like-minded moms. You can swipe up to “wave” to another mom, or swipe down to skip their profile. Although the Facebook profile algorithms will provide matches based on location, education, career, etc., moms can choose badges to describe their personality, such as “spiritual gangster,” “hot mess,” dance machine,” and “city gal.” This app is perfect for new moms, but women with children up to age 16 can join.
Peanut for AndroidPeanut for iPhone
Mom Life
Mom Life was created to fill a gap two high school friends wanted to fill when it came to moms sharing information and making connections. The Mom Life app allows you to meet other moms for community, support, and just for fun. Mom Life encourages moms to get offline to form real friendships. But the app can also be used to search by topic and form public and private group chats.
Mom Life for Android Mom Life for iPhone
Meetup
You are probably already familiar with Meetup but may not know about Moms Meetup. Meetups are available for any group you can dream up. If you don’t find one you like, simply start your own group. Examples of available groups are African Moms, First-Time Upper West Side Moms, and DC Moms Playdates. Plus, there are plenty of regional groups throughout the country where moms meet up for playground playdates, stroller walks, story times, and more.
Meetup for Android Meetup for iPhone
Next Door
Nextdoor is the private social network for you, your neighbors and your community. It’s the easiest way for you and your neighbors to talk online. Also, what better way to meet moms near you than through an app specifically designed for your neighborhood. I know a friend who posted on this app looking for a nanny and through the process found a couple of moms with similar aged children in her own neighborhood.
Nextdoor for Android Nextdoor for iPhone
So, what do you think are the best apps to help make mom friends? Give a shout out in the comments below!
Join the Momalot Facebook Group
Looking for more ways to make mom friends?
Check out our Momalot Facebook group. There you can connect with other moms, ask questions and get answers, or share something you’ve found helpful in your motherhood journey.
You may also want to read our Book Review: Find Your Tribe – Building Community in a Lonely World or our post The Secret to Making Mom Friends.
