Friends and Mommyhood

Growing up, I always had a crazy amount of friends, and thought friendships were supposed to last forever. Over the years, I have maintained the most amazing friendships and I'm forever grateful. Some friends from middle school, high school, college; and new friends (sorry Drake). I have some solid friends.

Over time, people grow/mature, and sometimes outgrow each other. Depending on what life is throwing our way, sometimes, it can have an impact on friendships. As adults, we enter into relationships, marriages, careers, parenthood, traveling, etc. All of these are great, but can sometimes impact relationships with your friends.

Mommyhood has probably been the biggest shift for me. It has shifted my body, my mindset, my lifestyle, my sleep, my focus, my goals, my thoughts, and even relationships. My day one friends (too many to list) are truly the real MVP's. They have been on the phone with me while my child is crying, I'm crying, trying to multitask, and participate in memorable FaceTime calls. I have however had people not understand my new norm. Some friends who had kids, and some who didn't. I can recall the sighs of annoyance; statements such as, "I never had those problems." "My kid(s) always ate their vegetables." "My kid(s) were potty trained at one year's old." "My kid(s) were breastfed until they were 2."

In conversation with other moms, these comments have been expressed to not only, but other moms also. One of the most bittersweet moments is a friendship parting ways, but finding commonalities with others who are in a new norm also.

Adult friendships are one thing; and adding a layer of mommyhood can be just as hard, if not harder. The best thing I have done in my adult life and mommyhood, is develop friendships that help me flourish as a woman, a wife, and a mother. It has been emotionally taxing to lose friends on the journey, but I'm a true believer in developing new relationships. As a mom, you need all the support you can get! While some friendships don't last a lifetime, I want to encourage someone who is reading this, to maintain your forevers, but to be open minded to new friendships.

Get yourself some solid friends, and mommy friends! Trust me, you won't regret it. Love to all of my friends, old and new!

Signed with Sprinkles of Love,

Brittany