Now that you’re a mom, you’re probably too busy between diaper changes, bath time, and shuttling your kids to day care or extracurricular activities to even think about hanging out with other moms on a daily basis. When was the last time you had the time (and the energy) to chat with your close girlfriends over a nice dinner or indulge in a chick flick or salted margaritas and chips, laughing the night away together? I must admit that with everything going on in my seven-person family, connecting with other moms too often goes by the wayside. But having these dates with other moms is vital to your mental health and can be very useful, too! So it’s good to be able to squeeze them in whenever possible. Here are some things I’ve learned about why moms’ nights out really matter.
Especially if you’re a stay at home mom, it can get pretty lonely around the house when the only person you can talk to is a babbling infant or the adults on the TV screen. Having some girl time with other moms is a great way to recuperate and get some much needed adult interaction in your life. And it’s a nice change from hanging out with your spouse at home, as much as you love them. It’s great to have girl time and conversation that is just about girl stuff and laugh over shared experiences (like people who can find anything or leave their socks all over the house – HINT)!
As adorable as my hubby is, there is no way I can talk to him about remedies for cracked nipples from breastfeeding or how to choose the best breast pumping machine. That’s what your fellow moms are for! And what better way to learn some great mom ‘hacks’ than by hanging out with some other moms just like you. You’ll get the scoop on the latest diaper trends, some helpful tips on potty training, or awesome recipes for homemade baby foods. This is a group of women you can really confide in and who know your everyday struggles as a mom! The information you glean from these relationships is like no other.
They say laughter is the best medicine. And what kind of moms would we be if we couldn’t share our most embarrassing and funny stories with each other? In my time as CloudMom, I’ve talked about my fair share of “Mom Fails” and it is so nice to get feedback from other moms who have been through the same struggles. Sometimes it’s just nice to have the reminder that you’re not alone in this tough but wonderfully rewarding job of motherhood. Hanging out with other moms will give you a great new perspective on being a mom and you’ll leave feeling de-stressed and refreshed!
Lastly, as a mom who loves structure and planning, it’s nice to aim for a moms’ night once a month. For me, it’s something to look forward to and it can break the monotony of laundry, diapers, bottle feeding or whatever else comes with the job. Make sure you can all agree on a time and place and make an effort to stick with it! This includes getting your spouse on board to watch the kids for the night while you hang out with the girls. But hey, you totally deserve it, and you’ll be so glad you went!
Melissa Lawrence, co-founder of CloudMom, lives in New York City with her husband and 5 young children. With a few parenting tricks up her sleeve, Melissa posts how-to videos and blogs for parents on a range of issues including baby, toddler, kids, fashion, travel, and well-being.
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