A Love Letter To My Mom Friends

To my mom friends who offered love, comfort and support as I transitioned into motherhood, I can’t possibly thank you enough.

One of the very best parts of new motherhood, for me, has truly been living and sharing this crazy and beautiful experience with my mom friends. Whether they had a baby at the same time or years earlier, I’ve never felt closer to this group of women in my life, and their presence during this time of transition has meant more to me than I can ever begin to describe.

I mean, who else really gets what it’s like to navigate the many twists and turns that is new motherhood? Here are just a few of the ways my mom friends have supported me in ways I never knew I desperately needed:

They were open and honest about the good and the not so good. Misery loves company – but so does joy! There’s nothing quite as freeing as being able to express the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with people who really get what you’re going through – and who don’t judge you for complaining about how ridiculously hard it is, or how amazing some split second was when your baby did something for the very first time. I loved listening and learning about a successful first airplane ride, or about someone’s baby who finally slept through the night, but equally about a stressful and disastrous outing to CVS (because getting out of the house alone with a small baby is a BFD) that ended with both mom and baby crying in the car. Even when my son had yet to reach the milestones my mom friends described, it offered great comfort in knowing we’d get there, too.

That realness is what motherhood is all about, and I’ve loved every second of it.

They shared tips and tricks that made life easier. Whether it was a recommendation for a new puree to try, or advice on how to fight baby’s first diaper rash, my mom friends have always come through, and have always been eager to share their wisdom. I’m a fairly anxious person who frets about (probably) insignificant things, so tips as small (but as challenging to solve) as how to calm a crying newborn (The 5 S’s!) or how to transition baby out of a sleep sack were absolute game-changers, quelling my fears and giving me confidence that I could actually do this mothering thing without feeling like a failure.

We cheered each other on through the big and small accomplishments. Transitioning your baby from the bassinet to their own crib or witnessing them lift their head from one side to the other during tummy time elicits equal cause for celebration, and nothing makes those moments brighter than sharing it with mom friends who can share in the excitement! I was totally one of those people who used to scroll through baby-related posts on my social feed without a second thought – until I became a mom and realized how adorable and meaningful each of those moments really were. Now I’m another one of those moms who can’t stop posting about her cute baby and every. single. milestone. I’m all about it!

Perhaps most importantly, they lifted my spirits when I was lonelier than ever. I expected the early days of motherhood to be hard – but I never anticipated the loneliness that would ensue. Particularly in the beginning, in the midst of recovery from childbirth, when breastfeeding was life consuming, and when the days and nights blurred together from extreme sleep deprivation, a single checking in text from a friend could literally turn my day (or night, or whatever twilight zone I was in) around entirely. Those precious moments of connection to the outside world reminded me that life existed outside of my darkened bedroom, and that eventually I’d have some semblance of my life back – in a new, but wonderfully fulfilling way.

I don’t feel like any words are sufficient enough to convey how very thankful I am for the love, honesty, support and kindness my closest mom friends have shown and given me throughout my pregnancy and during this first year of my son’s life.

If you’re reading this – you know who you are. I am eternally grateful.

How have your mom friends supported you through early motherhood and beyond? Tell me below!