Anyone else feel compelled to be a much more social person since becoming a mom? Well, if you’re looking for friends, there are certainly few better ways to find them than having kids. From baby and toddler classes to kindergarten and beyond, opportunities to meet new people abound.
But for moms who are introverts, parenting itself can be draining, and then you add on the socializing and it’s…a lot. Both are inescapable parts of motherhood, but there are ways to be a mom without emptying your social battery completely. Here are 5 tips we’re sharing from introvert moms across The Local Moms Network.
Find an Extrovert Bestie
If you’re going to be interacting with other moms at playdates, parent socials and on the sports sidelines, find an extrovert friend who can act as your buffer. Not only can they introduce you to others, but they’ll also talk so you don’t have to.
Hire a Sitter to Stand In
It might seem counterintuitive to use your babysitting budget for activities. In fact, if you have younger kids at home, it can feel more “normal” to have the sitter stay home while you watch the soccer practice. But if you’d rather have a nanny or sitter make small talk so you don’t have to, go for it! You certainly won’t be the only one.
Don’t Just Sit There
Yes, there are times when it will make sense to catch up quickly with that mom friend at field hockey. But that doesn’t mean you can’t walk the field while listening to a podcast, drop off if appropriate and run errands, or simply work in your car.
Set Up One on One Parent/Child Playdates
If you’d rather potty train a toddler than go to the school fundraiser, skip it and donate instead. But set up smaller playdates for mom friends and one child, so you don’t miss out completely on making friends.
Prepare Your Child For Drop-Offs
By the time your kids enters elementary school, drop-off parties, practices and more are becoming more common. Teach your child your phone number, who to go to if they need help, and anything else they will need to be self-sufficient. Dropping off is a godsend for introverts—be ready to take advantage.
