"You couldn't bet on anyone having a free weekend to hang out or a babysitter for a Friday night, nor could you bet on your buddies having the funds for a weekend away or a big dinner out. But you all have to fold laundry at some point, right? Everyone's going to watch the Dancing with the Stars finale. Everyone's got two hours on a Sunday afternoon to play a game of Scrabble."
"You're A) going to have to get comfortable with friends coming into your home (it doesn't have to be sparkling clean, stop that) and B) get out of this all-or-nothing mindset. Inviting your best friends and their kids over doesn't mean you have to have snacks made and activities planned and your house clean."
"Bonus: Your kids get to see that friendship doesn't disappear when you become a mom."
Modern parents struggle to maintain friendships due to busy schedules and financial constraints, but previous generations managed by embedding social time into everyday activities. Rather than requiring special occasions, babysitters, or expensive outings, friendships thrived through low-pressure, free opportunities like folding laundry together, watching television, or playing games. The key is abandoning the all-or-nothing mentality that friendships require perfectly clean homes, planned activities, and prepared snacks. Parents can invite friends and their children over casually, have brief conversations over coffee at home, or simply spend time together without elaborate arrangements. This approach reduces stress, saves money, and demonstrates to children that friendship persists through parenthood.
#parenting-and-friendship #low-pressure-socializing #work-life-balance #casual-gatherings #modern-motherhood
Read at Scary Mommy
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