Making Mom Friends When You’re a SAHM

We all need a mom tribe. But when you’re a stay at home mom (SAHM) to little ones, it can be hard to find mom friends. Here are some places you can look for some awesome mom friends! 

When I became a stay at home mom, I was also fairly new to the town we live in. That meant, I didn’t really know anyone and I didn’t really know how I was going to get to know anyone.

What I did know? If I didn’t make some mom friends and build myself a mom tribe, being a SAHM was going to be very lonely, and I probably wouldn’t enjoy it very much. Maybe it would be different if Camden were school age; maybe I could meet some moms through his school and activities, but he was a newborn, so that wasn’t going to happen.

It was hard for me to find places to meet other mamas, but now that I’ve found a few, I want to share them with you. This should give you some ideas where to look in your town (and if you live in a city, maybe you’ve got even more options.

Story Hour at the Library

Our library has a baby story hour (called baby laptime), and it’s just for babies 0-18 months old. The moms I’ve met there are moms who are going through the baby stages at the same time as me (whether it’s their first or third!), so we had connections right away. And whether or not I hang out with all of the outside of story hour, at least I know that I’ve got a group of moms to talk to for 30 minutes every Wednesday morning! 

MOPS

MOPS is a moms group that is focused on moms of preschool-age and under kiddos. I get together with these mamas every other week during the school year, and MOPS usually provides childcare. Our group met in the evenings, so Camden went to childcare. I got to hang out and talk to other moms, and my husband got a couple of hours to himself at home. 

Moms Groups

There are other groups like MOPS that aren’t specifically affiliated with anything. I’m a part of another mom group that met twice a month in the mornings for two hours. I got to drink hot coffee, let Camden go play in the daycare, talk to other moms, and do fun things like dancing, playing games, baking, etc. I feel like the social activities made for great opportunities to meet other moms and make new friendships.

Husband’s Job

I actually met the mama I hang out with the most through my husband. Our husbands work together, we live in the same town, and we both have 1 year olds. So we get together for lots of play dates and mama conversations (often half finished, as one of us has to grab a toddler or get a snack or change a diaper, haha). 

Online

I know, I know, that sounds kind of odd. But through blogging and some of the blogging communities out there, I have met some really great mamas! I know so much about their families and they know so much about mine, even though we haven’t actually met in person! But they have such a wide range of experiences, and it’s awesome to feel like I can get advice and help in this whole motherhood-journey.

Toddler Activities

I take Camden to a gymnastics open gym. We’re doing toddler swim lessons. And this winter I’m going to try toddler soccer with him. These are all great places to have some adult conversations and maybe build some friendships that may turn into playdates and mom conversations! 

These activities – especially if they’re in your town – may introduce you to some moms who are at the same stage of life. There are tons of those mamas in town; it can just be hard to find them when you go to the park or the grocery store. But some structured activities for toddlers at the same age are bound to put you right next to some moms with commonalities! 

It is absolutely vital to form some good friendships as a SAHM; it’ll keep you from losing your mind when you just can’t be alone with the kids one more minute. And whether they’re in the form of moms groups, playdates, or lunchdates with a mama friend and kiddo, there are lots of ways to find some great mamas out there! 

Where have you found your mom tribe, whether you work or stay at home?