Mommy Friends

Motherhood has taught me a lot (it has also humbled me a lot but that’s another story).  Now when I find out someone I know is pregnant for the first time I feel like there is information, not generally shared, that is need-to-know. For example, they can give your more medicine in your epidural, but you might have to ask, every so sweetly, of course. Or that you might forever associate sneezing with peeing. Or that you really need to save those pain pills for before you nurse, cause 9 times out of 10 that hurts worse. There are a lot more that I try to share that aren’t really up for public consumption (but if you’re curious call me, I feel strongly that What to Expect When You’re Expecting left some important shit out!)

One of the most important of these is your Mommy friends. Husbands are optional at times during pregnancy and parenting but you’re mommy friends are not! They are as important as diapers and wipes (actually more important, because if you run out they’ll grab extra for you at the store).

 

If you are pregnant for the first time your two most important jobs are to bank sleep-able hours and make some mommy friends.

Here’s why-

* They are the only ones how actually care about strollers, car seat safety ratings, boppy covers and butt cream. The rest of the world (your husband included) is just listening politely while checking facebook/sportscenter on their phone.

*They have to find a babysitter too! So no more Thursday night movies or staying out late because after their boobs are leaking and they’re falling asleep on the table too.

*They know how to hang in there during a phone conversation. If you have kids you know that uninterrupted phone calls are a farce. A mommy friend can fix lunch, put a kid in time out and still keep the conversation going. Everyone else makes fake static noises into the phone the instant a kid starts crying. It might take 2 hours to get 30 minutes worth of information out, but they’re in for the long haul.

* Under NO circumstances will a mommy friend call you during naptime or after bedtime. Those times are sacred.  SACRED I tell you!

* They will discuss sleeping schedules, pediatricians and even the color and consistency of your kids poop.

* They will bring you Gatorade and pedialite when you’re kid’s sick, call and ask about a doctors appointment, and wait anxiously outside the door while you pee on a stick. They don’t judge you if your house is messy or you haven’t showered and they’ll bring dinner by or call when it’s been a bad day.

* They value “girls only” time even though they know most of what we’ll be talking about is our kids and hubbys anyway!

* Nothing is off limits with them, no matter how gross (your kid eating out of the litter box) or embarrassing (taking your stroller on the escalator and almost killing you both) you can talk about it and laugh about it.

Mommy Friends are the single most important resource (next to your own mommy) that you  have. They ARE your family, and could repeat every one of your child’s vital statics on a moments notice AND know where to find the tupperware in your house. Get some, and make staying in touch with them the top of your priority list, because trust me, you need them!