I will admit it — I'm not great at making mom friends.
Don't get me wrong, once you are my mom friend, good luck getting rid of me, but when it comes to forging new connections, guys, I am the worst.
Or, I used to be. That was before I found a handful of local groups and businesses that make it easy-peasy for moms to meet, connect, and form lasting friendships.
Of course, this is by no means a definitive list. Know of another awesome group/business/meet-up? Feel free to drop me a line — I'd love to hear about it.
OK, here we go.
1. Detroit Mama Hub & Detroit Mama Circle
Jalyn Spencer and Alex Fluegel are two moms who saw a gaping hole in the resources offered to parents in their communities. Together they formed Detroit Mama Hub and now offer vital services to new parents like lactation consultations and prenatal yoga. Joining while baby is still in utero is a great way to get connected early on, but Mama Hub also has plenty to offer moms with kids who have already exited the womb. The best example of this is their weekly Mama Circle, which takes place every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's like a standing playdate and the only thing you have to do is show up. The moms who come are a diverse and inclusive group that will make you feel at home right away.
2. 9 Month Bump Activity Studio
If you're a mom (or, heck, even a grandma) living Downriver, you've likely popped into 9 Month Bump to pick up a Pinterest-worthy outfit for your kid's next photo session. But, did you know that one needs only step through a set of double-doors to enter the shop's adjoining activity studio? The space opened officially last May and has been offering Zumbini, art classes, mommy-and-me workouts, and holiday photo sessions ever since. Sign up for a class and make a commitment to be there every week. You'll meet moms and kids whose interests are similar to yours.
3. Momtourage
Let’s face it — meeting friends in person is not only difficult, it can also be intimidating. But what if you could be joined into a group of moms, get to know them online, and then grow lasting in-person friendships? That is essential gist of Momtourage: It’s a private, Facebook-based community that focuses on helping moms form meaningful friendships. When Momtourage founder Erica Stoebick became a mom for the first time, she found herself longing for community — so she built one herself. That community has now amassed over 1,000 members, each of whom belong to a smaller “bond group” that acts as a member’s home base within the community. (To be clear, this group is referral-based, meaning you must be invited by a member.)
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups have been around since the 1970s, when a group of eight moms got together, paid someone a small fee to watch their children, and spent quality time tending to their need to be a person other than “mom.” Now, there are MOPS groups all over the world — and quite a few chapters in the Downriver community (click here to find a list of local groups).
5. Join a local church
Not everyone is religious and that is A-OK, but I have found getting involved at a local church is an awesome way to meet moms. Luckily, there are so many churches Downriver, you can easily find a place that clicks with your personal beliefs — both religious and political.
6. Volunteer
Carving out some time each week to give back is, in my opinion, a form of self-care, not to mention an amazing way to meet new friends. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other moms because if you find yourself serving at the same organization, you're likely passionate about the same things. Organizations like Gleaners, Downriver Council for the Arts, Bright Point animal rescue, your local library, Fish and Loaves, and the Wyandotte Clinic for the Working Uninsured all rely on volunteers to function. Every week I volunteer with a local cardio drumming group that is largely made up of women — talk about community!
Bonus: Join a group that's just for adults
Sometimes it's hard to deeply connect with other grown-ups when you're chasing babies and admonishing toddlers to PLEASE SHARE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD. Getting out of the house and doing something sans children is chicken soup for our mama souls — plus, you'll have an easier time getting to know other moms (and people in general) without also having to simultaneously parent. Bacon Memorial Library offers plenty of adult programming, including adult craft time, book clubs, and bullet journaling nights. Allen Park Public Library has movie afternoons. Detroit Mama Hub has an adult-only hip-hop exercise class. Oakwoods Metropark hosts a knitting club. Downriver Council for the Arts has adult art classes. You get the drift.
All right, now you know where to go to meet moms Downriver. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to actually make friends once you get there.
