Strength in Numbers

It's totally common for Moms to feel lonely and isolated and I was relieved to hear it. I have become a clock-watcher at home, as I was in the office when my best friend Lisa was away. Well now that I'm at home all the time, Lisa and all of my other social contact has been stunted, to say the least. It's been quite a period of deep sadness and loneliness over the last 5 months. I rejected the advice from loved ones that I should visit a Mom and Baby group because I envisioned a bunch of smug, annoying Moms who only wanted to talk about breast feeding and their baby's latest achievements.

I needed to remember me!

My friends Jenii and Camielle suggested that we start our own Mom and Baby group. Rather than my typical response of rejecting the idea, I jumped at it and I am really glad I did. Strength in numbers is what it's all about. Jenii is an expecting Mom and Camielle (her sister) is a Mom to a 2-month old boy called Quinn. Our history together included mutual friends, common interests and being ex-bar stars. We used to go to the pub together on Friday nights and we had a good laugh the other day about how a year ago nobody would have guessed the three of us would be Moms!

Last Monday we had our first "official" meeting at Camielle's apartment. We helped each other with the babies, drank (hot) coffee (what a novel idea), muched on snacks, bitched about our men and generally gabbed. Before I knew it, it was 6:30p.m. and I, as well as the girls, had enjoyed the afternoon thoroughly. My enthusiasm for the gatherings is huge! I really couldn't believe how much better and "normal" it made me feel. See, I'm not the type to ask for help, so this is a good way to get some support (and time with friends) without having to feel vulnerable.

There are a few more girls that will likely join us and before we know it, we'll have quite the posse. It will be so nice having children all so close in age. They can play together and teach one another new things.

For some of you who are reading this that know me, you may be surprised to hear me sound excited about these Mom and Baby gatherings, but I think this is the beginning of something really positive. I have to stop shutting doors because I am afraid to take a chance with people. If motherhood has taught me anything, it's that I can't control everything. As much as I want it to be, life is not perfect.

Addendum:

Lisa has asked me to have a monthly girl's night with her - sweet! Graham is all for it, as am I of course. He has agreed to look after Callum so that Lisa and I, as well as any of girl that wants to hang out, can go out for dinner or whatever we want. I am really looking forward to it!

Happy Mummy, Allison