Good Friends

Tonight I met up with my "playgroup." It is a group of moms and kids that have been getting together every few weeks for dinner for the last three and a half years. Our kids now range from one year to seven years old (and we are up to 16 kids!). We usually meet at someone's house and order pizza. The kids play and the moms talk.

These friends, along with some other mom friends of mine, have been invaluable. In addition to the stress relief that getting together with good friends to relax provides, these ladies have been a tremendous support resource as I try to navigate parenthood along with my career.

First, they are always there if I need childcare in a pinch. There is always someone available to take the kids for an hour or two here and there. We also keep each other informed about different activities and events that are happening. Each time we get together someone brings a flyer about soccer sign-ups or an event at the school. Without them, I'm not sure if I would ever know what was going on in my community.

But even more important is the role that my good friends play in making my job as a mom stay realistic. I've talked to many other moms over the years who constantly feel guilty that they aren't the 'perfect mom.' Much of their angst is a result friends who are in constant competition for who is the best parent. They share stories of how brilliant their kids are, and make other moms feel badly because they may not be in the 'right' school or activity.

My friends, in contrast, often work to compete for being the 'worst' mom. It is all in fun, but we share stories of our worst moments, the junk food dinners that we've succumbed to, and the times we've watched TV instead of playing with our kids. Don't get me wrong, this is a group of extraordinary moms. They just don't take themselves too seriously. We laugh, and at the end of the night, we all realize we aren't doing that bad of a job. My job as a working mom is much easier because of my good friends.