A few weeks ago Carter and I were at the mall. We go to the indoor play area and sometimes ride the carousel and of course check out the fountain, which Carter loves!
That’s where I saw her. Another mom. Her son was about the same age as Carter. He was also trying to climb in the fountain, just like Carter. Obviously we were meant to be besties. We glanced at each other across the fountain and smiled. Then her kid ran off and tried to go up the escalator, so she ran after him and they were gone.
Only a minute later I saw them coming down the other side of escalator! They were heading back to the fountain! I watched them walk closer, trying not to be to obvious. She looked at me and almost looked like she was about to say something, but then she didn’t. Then Carter ran over to the rental strollers that look like cars, and the moment was over. A few minutes later, as he climbed in and out of the car strollers I glanced over my shoulder and my mall mom could have been bestie was walking off with her son.
I feel like I should take out a missed connections ad on craiglist. “Me, a mom at the mall, you another mom at the mall. We smiled over the fountain before your son ran off to the escalator. Would love to meet up for chick-fil-a sometime!”
It is just a strange situation to me to try to friends with someone random you meet. I say hi and chat to people in the play area at the mall and gymboree and library group all the time. But it’s never amounted to anything else. How do you make new friends with other moms? I know I am not the only mom with this question- so spill the beans! How do you make new mom friends?
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I think this can be applied to how do you make friends as an adult too. At least you have a kid as common ground.
A missed connection ad! Yes! Bahaha. If you figure out how to meet other moms let me know! Sometimes I feel like just hanging out in the toddler clothes section to find a mom friend.
I once made a friend at the playground. Her daughters are about the same age as ours, and as our kids were playing, we started talking. And our husbands started talking. And ever since we're friends. Maybe the situation of running after little children all the time didn't offer the best situation to start a conversation; maybe next time! You definitely know there's someone in town, and you might just meet her again! Good luck, Rachel!
I've felt that way so many times, and have been derailed by my small people:) Honestly, right now friendship with other moms (in person at least) is really hard for me. There are some great ladies at my church that I'd like to get to know better, but the time thing just doesn't work out. It's a season and we'll be social again someday, LOL!
From what I understand, it's easier to make mom friends once your kids get older and get into elementary school and do activities. Then you can be stage parents/soccer moms/martial arts moms together. I lucked out in that most of my pre-baby friends also had babies around the same time as me, so I've got mom friends that are also friends beyond just having the baby in common.
I find it easier now that I'm a mom. I have to have a deliberate openness about it all. Actually seek to make friends. When we first moved to Wyoming from Arizona I made a conscious decision and it worked. I just talked to people. Tried to make light jokes about the crazy kid (mine) running around the playground. lol