滨听love my littles ones more than chocolate and ice cream.
But there are times when parenting feels a lot like being stranded on a desert island, without the (erm, welcome?) isolation.
Very often, reminding you of just how stranded you are is what feels like a steady stream of party boats passing by your island, all crammed with revellers who smile, wave and chink their champagne classes. But none stop to invite you onboard to share the fun.聽
And even though you may be surrounded to one, two, maybe more, chaotic little ones on this crowded island called home, it can feel very lonely at times.
Never more so, in my personal experience, than the moment when the front door closes behind a visiting friend or family member heading to the airport on their way home.聽 聽 聽
The empty space created by their absence is a sorrowful reminder that our nearest and dearest are far, far way. And with it, our familial, child-raising village.
It is a stark reminder that to avoid feeling isolated, we must work hard to create and nurture a village of our own.
But where you do start? Finding a new friend can be harder than dating and equally full of rejection. For every 10 people you pluck up the courage to chat to in the park, you might perhaps only connect with one.
So, what鈥檚 the secret to finding long-lasting mommy-matches and building your tribe?聽
I asked local facilitator of friendships, postpartum doula, childhood educator and stay-at-home mom of three Victoria Rigdon.
She explained that because so many families have relocated to 麻豆社国产away from their support network, there is a wonderful opportunity here to connect with others and create new villages. Even if doing so can seem daunting.
Long-lasting relationships start with getting out of our comfort zones and being proactive about putting ourselves out there, she said.
One way to do this is to find a group that works for you, mark it on your calendar and attend it consistently.聽
鈥淗ave one thing on your calendar and just go, even if it鈥檚 story time at the library鈥eeing that same group of people every week is when relationships happen.鈥�
Two drop-in groups she highly recommends are Healthy Pregnancy Outreach Program held on Wednesdays at noon (38073 Second Ave.); and the parent/infant drop-in program held on Thursdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the 麻豆社国产Library.聽
Both have guest speakers each week, are free to attend and 鈥渁re really safe paces for women to get together,鈥� said Rigdon.聽
Mother Goose, a 10-week program of songs and stories for children up to 18 months, is also another great place to form friendships, she explained (visit sscs.ca for more details).
Once you鈥檝e found your program, how do you break the ice?
Use common themes to start conversations, Rigdon said. Such as 鈥楬ow old is your little one?鈥� or 鈥楢re they teething?鈥�
Who knows where that initial conversation may lead? Perhaps a walk to the park afterwards or a coffee together.
As for social media, it鈥檚 no replacement for getting together in person. Anyone can be who they want on social media, she said, but talking honestly, in-person is what creates long-lasting friendships. The kind you can call upon for a hand or a hug when times are tough.
鈥淚t does take effort and it is hard,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut you have to put it out there because those really good friendships are so worth it.鈥�
