Whether they’re women we meet at a toddler group, or relatives, or old friends, we can’t underestimate how much our mum friends help us weather the challenges that come with being a mum.
Here’s why we love our fantastic, sanity-preserving mum friends:
1. They support us
There’s nothing more comforting than knowing that another mum is going through the exact same things we are.
2.They understand
When both our children are having a tantrum while hanging off our respective legs, that look of understanding we give each other makes all the difference.
3. We can laugh our heads off together
Being a mum is fraught with funny moments, so swapping stories about the time we used a sanitary towel to clean our child’s nose or laughing at the hilarious things they’ve gotten up to is a great bonding exercise – and it’s fun!
4. They help ease the ‘mum guilt’
Chances are if we tell them we feel guilty about something they’ll tell us they feel the exact same. “I’m a horrible person!” “No you’re NOT, I’m a horrible person!” is generally how this oh-so-comforting conversation goes.
5. They don’t mind if we start bawling
Sometimes we just need a good bawl, don’t we? We’re tired, we’re afraid we’re doing it wrong and our-mother-in-law said the meals we cook could be more nutritious (eek!). They’ll just nod, rub our backs kindly and give us big hugs while we sob buckets onto their shoulders.
6. They get you out of the house
If we’re feeling lonely or isolated, arranging playdates with mum friends makes all the difference. Plus we’re both on the same page – they won’t mind if we have numerous children in tow, so will they. They won’t mind if our child is making a loud noise and a mess in a café, their child will be making a loud noise and a mess too!
7. They give good advice
Advice on how to stop your child biting, the best pre-school in the area, the shop with the best sales on baby stuff – mum friends are a mine of valuable information.
8. We can have a good bitch
Sometimes we just need to let it out, right? It could be anything – the way our neighbour is a nosy git, the fact our partner sleeps through the night feeds too often, the patronising doctor. It feels so wrong yet so right to get it ALL off our chests!
9. We can talk to a grown-up – like a grown-up!
How nice it is not to have to call ourselves ‘mummy’ to another person? Chatting to another adult keeps us sane, especially when we have a touch of baby-brain!
10. They don't judge
We’re both fighting the good fight and wouldn’t dream of judging each other. For this reason we can talk about ANYTHING, no holds barred. That’s worth its weight in gold.
What do you think mums? Have you a circle of incredible mum friends who make your experience of being a mother so much richer? And are you yourself a lovely mum friend to others?
