Are you lonely, mama? Don’t worry – you’re NOT alone. I was in your shoes a couple years ago… new to Madison – a city of a quarter million where no one knew my name. I had a 5 month old baby and it was winter. Winter in Madison – a time when leaving the house is hard. I had times where I felt isolated and alone. The first 6 months that we lived here were some of the most taxing moments of my life. Then something happened… spring rolled around and we were able to get out – we went to the zoo, the Farmers Market, to the park (so often that my almost 1-year old probably could have gotten there herself!). It was then that I started meeting other mamas who were in the same season of life as me. I felt revitalized and renewed. Building lasting friendships is hard to do when you are new to a city or caring for young children. It can be the most difficult time in your life – but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you are a Stay At Home Mom or a Work Out of the Home Mom, they both have their own challenges and can make it hard to make friends. But when you have friends to lean on, who encourage and cheer you on during the tough days, who laugh with you and cry with you – it somehow makes life’s journey feel so much richer.
Madison is our home now. I love it here. I love my friends and value each and every friendship that I have developed. Just know this – you are NOT alone! As the saying goes – Make new friends, but keep the old; One is silver and the other’s gold!’
Here are some of the ways I made friends… along with a short list of ‘mommy’ groups you can check out.
Get involved in the community: Volunteer at the food pantry or outreach ministry, help out at your children’s school/preschool, go to community events and involve yourself. It’s good for the soul and you just might meet friends while you are at it!
Join a Gym: Take fitness, yoga or barre classes – join a running group. Not only is it a great way to get fit – but it’s also a fun way to make friends. I am a dedicated gym-goer (always have been) so this was a natural step for me. I have met SO many people through my gym… many who brought me meals when my twins were born and who offered to help watch my toddler so I could go to the NICU. As if I needed another reason to love going to the gym!
Join a Meetup Group(s): There are meet ups for just about everything – I joined a moms group, I joined a running group, and I even joined one for my dog! I made a few amazing friends when I joined the ‘Madison Hip Mamas’. I didn’t know what to expect the first time I went to a meet-up, but I am thankful I put myself out there! Not to say you are going to ‘click’ with everyone you meet, but you are likely to find at least a couple people who you find you have a lot in common with!
When there are MOMMY events – GO!: Easier said than done, right? I get it – it’s hard to go places alone, but sometimes that’s the only way to meet people. Sometimes you have to get out of your comfort zone, but the friendships you may find can be priceless.
And some of the local groups that I promised you!
MAMOM (Madison Area Mothers of Multiples)
Now that you are ready to go make all those friends – here are 12 fun ideas for making your Girls Night Out (or IN) extra memorable! Because I think we all agree that sometimes it’s fun to go ‘where everybody knows your name!’
Another group: MOMS Club of SW Madison & Verona: http://swmadisonmoms.blogspot.com/p/join-us.html
We’d love to meet you!
Thanks this article came at the perfect time. I just moved back to Madison (home) with my 2yr old after 11yrs in Florida. I just looked at meet-up website last night wondering if it really works. I still have “old” friends but not many in same phase of life I am. My daughter also misses her friends and I’m not sure how to entertain her when it’s too cold to go outside very long if at all. Nice to know I’m not alone 🙂