Today at Momscape.com: Are you an Earth Mother or a Creative Rainbow Mother? Find out.
Coupons | Product Reviews | Contests | Articles | Forums | Search | Subscribe
Family Fun | Parenting Tips | Romance | Health & Fitness | Organic Living | Weight Loss | WAHMs
Welcome Momscapers!
Momscape.com is an award winning online magazine delivering
uplifting personal essays
from real parents - plus
practical guidance on parenting,
family fun,
romance,
travel,
health & fitness,
weight loss,
and more.
We invite you to share your
MamaWisdom and to help us
spotlight
products that make your life as a mom easier or better while you
enjoy our money-saving
online coupons and
family travel
discounts.
We want to help you enjoy the
simple (and fine) things life has to offer.
Subscribe to Momscape >
or
Get Our Daily Coupon Updates by Email
Bookmark and share Momscape with your friends:
Online Coupons
Today's
Favorite Coupons
All Online
Coupons by Store
All Online Coupons by
Category
Printable
Grocery Coupons
Product Reviews
Momscape's
Favorite Things (Blog)
Top-Rated
Mom Product Reviews
Family Fun
Activities & Crafts
Family Travel
Deals
Free Scrapbooking Ideas
Parenting Articles
Baby Tips
Toddler Tips
All Parenting Articles
Inspiration/Essays
Relationships
Marriage
Romance
Friendships
Health
and Fitness
Fitness Tips
Natural Living
Nurturing Your Spirit
Weight Loss
Professional
Family Manager Tips
Home-Based Business
Community
MamaWisdom Forums
About Momscape
Subscribe
Site Map
Links
Link to Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service
About us
Contact Us
One is Silver and the Other Gold
"Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."
--Girl Scout song
We Girl Scout veterans still find ourselves humming that classic song,
but as we get older--and busier--it seems increasingly difficult to
"make new friends but keep the old."
That doesn't mean it's not important. Sharon Scott, licensed
professional counselor and author of
eight books, tells it like it is. A solid support base of friends
and family is essential for everyone, Scott says, "but especially
important to a home-based mother, if she wants to maintain her sanity
(as well as her language skills!)"
She's right. Friends are indispensable. They provide support, a safe
haven where we can vent ideas (and complaints), as well as a connection
to the outside world and to the intricacies of another woman's life.
In fact, studies show that friends are actually good for your health.
They diminish sickness and depression because they help ease the stress
in our lives.
When we were kids, making friends seemed so much easier. There were
classes and swimming pools teeming with other kids of similar ages and
interests. Even in college, we were set up with a dormitory or sorority
full of instant pals, and our roommate often became our confidante.
Then we get married and have kids. Suddenly, making friends seems more
difficult. Here are some tips to finding-and keeping-a solid support
network.
Make new friends
While it may seem as though your little ones prevent you from meeting
friends, they just may be your ticket to the outside world. Sharon Scott
recommends finding playgroups through religious organizations or Mom's
Day Out, as well as frequenting areas for your kids to play, such as
parks and fast food restaurants.
"It's important to get over shyness," Scott says. If you hit it off with
another mom, don't leave without her name and phone number. "Then
follow-up within the week with a call to say hi and perhaps set another
time to get together."
Find a playgroup with regular meetings so you can see these same women
again and again. Also consider joining an organization that interests
you. Or take a class--online or in a traditional setting. You'll meet
likeminded people, and you'll have a chance to get to know them because
you'll see them at regular intervals. If the conversation with these new
friends starts to wane, you'll always have a backup topic.
Online support communities are wonderful, too, particularly for those of
us who live in remote areas.
The moms in my email discussion groups are wonderfully supportive and
have helped prevent more than one crisis in my life. The best thing
about online communities is that they are always there, and you can
participate when you have the time and energy. Even if it's at 2 a.m.
But Keep the Old
"True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known
until it be lost."
--Charles Caleb Colton
When you think about all the work it takes to make new friends, it's
easy to understand the importance of keeping the old ones close...even
if your lives have taken different paths.
"If the person from your past was a close friend," Scott says, "it is
very important to try to maintain the relationship even if it's with
twice yearly lunches, calls, emails, or lengthy letters." By maintaining
the relationship, you are preserving it for a time when you may have
more in common.
If you're a regular visitor to Momscape, you know how we feel about the
importance of taking time out for yourself. Next time, take a
friend. You'll make her day...and your own.
One group of friends I know has a wonderful tradition. Each Sunday
afternoon, the men and the kids watch football while the moms go to a
movie.
Subscribe to Momscape >
or
Get Our Daily Coupon Updates by Email
Moms are Raving About
> Tae Bo Kicks Billy Blanks Workout for Kids
> Collectopia Wacktivity and A Friendship Scraptacular
> Micro Spy Kit X2 Toy
> Bugaboo Chameleon Stroller
> Burt's Bees Baby Bee Skin reme
> Perego Primo Viaggio Infant Car Seat
> Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskins
> Rocket Spanish
> NordicTrack 740 Stepper
> More Product Reviews