Hey you! Yes you! You need girlfriends. Yes, I am talking to you, stop looking around, there is no one else I am talking to!
What do I mean that you need girlfriends? As moms we all need other moms who have gone through or are going through the same seasons as we are. I remember one time overhearing two moms of infants talking, they were friends, and would go to each others homes to watch their friend's baby so the mom could shower. That was ingenious! See, you need girlfriends for good hygiene!
When my youngest child was potty training, I had friends who were potty training their children as well. We were able to have potty parties. When everyone is putting their child on the toilet every ten minutes, it makes the routine seem a little less crazy. You need girlfriends for your sanity!
Now as my children are getting older, I have friends who are in the same season. We are able to have coffee together, once in a while get a little pampering, and talk about the new routines of life. You need girlfriends to hold your hand through the seasons!
I have one friend who is going through a divorce, one friend whose oldest child recently passed away, and another friend who is going through insurance red tape while trying to help her child get help for medical issues. Here is one thing I have found, being a friend, being there is what they need. They have professionals telling them what to do, parents telling them how to act, society telling them what is acceptable. What they need is a friend standing next to them and whispering to them "it's okay", not the situation, not what is happening, but that it is okay. We need girlfriends.
According to the Mayo Clinic, good friends have positive benefits, such as:
- "Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
- Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
- Improve your self-confidence and self-worth
- Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one
- Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise"
Mayo Clinic goes further to say:
"Many adults find it hard to develop new friendships or keep up existing friendships. Friendships may take a back seat to other priorities, such as work or caring for children or aging parents. You and your friends may have grown apart due to changes in your lives or interests. Or maybe you've moved to a new community and haven't yet found a way to meet people.
Developing and maintaining good friendships takes effort. The enjoyment and comfort friendship can provide, however, makes the investment worthwhile."
Tell me, how have you, as a mom found and fostered good friendships? I want to hear from you!
