Do you feel like it’s hard to meet other moms and really get to know them? Do you want to have more mom friends but you feel like you’re too shy? Break out of your comfort zone this summer and make some new friends with these 5 tips for a shy mom to make mom friends.
For the next ten weeks, I will be sharing posts inspired by the #ETHANproject. This summer I am determined to be more PRESENT for my children and Enjoy the Here and Now. My children are still small, but they are like tiny sponges. I think it’s important to start early with the direction I want to take in my parenting, so I don’t feel like I’m backtracking later.
I’m an introvert by nature, so meeting new people is extremely hard for me. The good thing is that my husband and daughters are the complete opposite. They are extroverts and they bring me out of my shell. Opposites attract right?
As the first #ETHANproject challenge, I could not have been pushed farther out of my comfort zone than to try to make new mom friends. Luckily, we got invited to a neighborhood block party just in time and I wholeheartedly agreed to go.
Walking into someone’s house that you don’t know very well can be daunting! But once I was there and sitting down, I could enjoy the conversation and all the new personal stories I was hearing. I got to know a lot of new people and new moms in my neighborhood.
My daughter also made some new friends! I literally had to pry their hands apart and drag my daughter away crying from her new BFF.
It made me start to think that I am not the only shy mom out there. And making mom friends is so important to your own journey as a mom, if only to have someone to laugh with who just gets it.
5 Ways For A Shy Mom To Make Mom Friends
Throw a block party
This is an easy way to meet new moms in your area because there will be lots of other people there. An added bonus is that you’re likely to find some mom friends who live close by.
School moms
Don’t just drop your kids off and run. Try to get to know the other kids’ moms – you already have something in common to be a conversation starter.
Meet for a short amount of time
Knowing that there is a distinct start and end time can take a lot of the tension away for me personally. Let your new friend know that you only have an hour to hang out with her, so you have a valid reason to leave after the time is up without feeling awkward.
Meet somewhere public
If you are worried about play dates at your home or someone else’s, suggest meeting at a park or the library.
Let your kids make introductions
Let your kids introduce you to their friend’s mom. You will instantly have something to talk about and you already know your kids get along.
The important part is that you break free from your comfort zone. Just think – those other moms could be just as shy as you but don’t know how to make the first step either.
Visit Grounded & Surrounded to see what over 40 other bloggers have written about the #ETHANproject – Enjoy Friendship Challege.
Now it’s your turn! Over the next week, brainstorm and act on ways for you to break out of your comfort zone and really Enjoy Friendship. Leave a comment here, on Facebook or Instagram with your experience. Be sure to use the hashtag #ETHANproject so we can all celebrate with you.
Next week’s challenge is “Enjoy the View” – I wonder if a hike in the Colorado mountains is in my future?
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Kristen! Love this article. I am not a shy mom by nature but I am a tired mom….so I really benefited from your tips. Especially the one about chatting with the other moms at school. About mid-year this year my daughter started having some “friendship complications” with the other girls in her class so I decided to be more present at school and spend time getting to know the other moms. I am so glad I did it. The first time is ALWAYS THE HARDEST! And I agree that setting an end time is often a life-saver. Can’t wait to see pictures of the Colorado Mountains next week!
Kristen, these tips are fabulous. I’m a shy mom AND have a shy little one (3yo). I find myself pushing outside of my comfort zone just so she can see that and hopefully learn to do the same. I reached out to the mom of one of her preschool friends and it sparked a great friendship for us! And we started just as you suggested: a set time at a public place (the park). Thanks for sharing these. I can’t wait to see your pictures next week! I’d LOVE to visit Colorado some day!
These are great tips! I too am a shy mom and it’s hard to make new mom friends especially since most of my current friends don’t have kids yet. You’re right, it’s great to have a friend who “just gets it”! Way to get out of your shell and go to that block party!
I love the idea of the block party. I often find myself at extremes, I can put on my “extrovert” self, but often also just want to be alone. And my extrovert self has thought a lot of times about having a block party to get to know the neighbors and the kids. After reading this, I’m thinking this summer is just as good a time as any. Looking forward to reading your other #ETHANproject challenge. 🙂
I’m a bit like that too. You should do it, I bet you’ll be really happy afterward.
I am NOT usually shy, but still find these tips helpful. I think anytime you are making friends for the first time, it is a good idea to meet on neutral ground. It makes it easier to get to know one another.
Great tips!
Thanks!
I love the idea of a block party! Our neighbor’s hosted one last year just after we had moved in. It was such a fun way to meet all the people on our street.
Knowing your neighbors is so important!
Thank you for the tips! I’m an incredibly shy mom who forces herself into social situations. It’s helping, but oh so exhausting!
That’s good. It sounds like you know your weakness but don’t let it control you.
Great post! Being a mom can be so lonely! I’m glad you’ve made some mom friends – it took me a while but I’ve finally found a great group of other moms of little ones in our area to get together with all the time! I’ve also found a great facebook group for moms in my area who have meet ups pretty much daily!
Facebook groups is another great option! Thanks for the reminder
I loved all if your ideas, especially throwing a block party. I have a hard time connecting to new friends as well. I have joined a few bible studies and have met some really great friends this was too. I can’t wait to see what is next for us in the #ETHANproject!
I can’t wait either
These are all great ideas! I live out in the country, so we can’t do the block party one, and my daughter’s not in school yet, but I can definitely try out the others. I’m not shy, but I do have a tendency to get stuck in my own schedule and not branch out to try new things–I’d love to make some new friends! 🙂
Great, let us know how it goes!
You mean I’m not supposed to be hiding in the corner at school events?? I’ve been doing it wrong.
Lol
I love this post! Some fantastic tips!
Thanks Lindsey!