Introverts with kids under 5. How do you have friends???? It is such a lonely time BUT your kids consume every iota of your social energy BUT you need to talk about what you’re going through BUT people on social media will drown you with bad-faith judgments. How do you/we do it??
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@ShandersWrites
I text message with a couple of close parent friends. That actually kept me sane through the pandemic! I don't post too much venting on SM because people be crazy here.
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@melissacuisine
This is where I am too but the daily roller coaster is so much more than I can satisfyingly discuss in little dribs and drabs. I only post what I think are the most innocuous things here but strangers still have mean takes 😭
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@ShandersWrites
I just live in an oppressive bubble of isolation! And I feel like because of Covid I have no idea how to talk to other parents - so the kids will make friends and I can’t remember how to talk to new people.
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@ShandersWrites
Maintaining friendships is hard af as a parent. It might be the hardest thing in the universe
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@DatLe
Soooo true! Even when I can logistically carve out time, I am too depleted to be a good companion
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@ShandersWrites
Ugh. That’s hard. Sending solidarity. There really is no way other than finding a kindred spirit. Which is also hard
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@ShandersWrites
Just to commiserate—that element felt so intolerable to me. Clearly it wasn’t, since my kid is much more independent now, but yeah, hard time to be an introvert for sure.
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@ShandersWrites
Play dates with other parents. I lived by that when my kids were under 5. And I didn’t have to carve out separate social times later when I was free. The tough thing is both kids and parents have to get along.
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@ShandersWrites
Parenting small children can be incredibly isolating and lonely, especially if you live far from family as I did when mine were little. Just know that it gets easier and easier!
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@ShandersWrites
My youngest are 7 and I’m just starting to have time/energy for a monthly girls’ night.
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@ShandersWrites
Oof, this was me a few years ago. And it really helped to read authors who are funny and perceptive about motherhood.
@lianafinck
Eleanor Davis Barbara Trapido
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@ShandersWrites
I suggest searching for older moms who are mostly finished raising their kids. You won't be the same, but you may complement each other. Most of my friends are older and super supportive. And they KNOW you are busy.
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@ShandersWrites
This will sound daft: I have long assumed that people with kids are all extroverts! Introverts having children is a new idea for me. Thanks for this. And best wishes from a rather introverted person who has no idea what to suggest.
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@ShandersWrites
I make friends with extroverts who will hunt me down if it has been too long since we've talked. But then I am just exhausted from all of the interaction.
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@ShandersWrites
Group chats. Extremely casual weekend hangs which are just parents I like drinking coffee at our table while our kids rampage
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@ShandersWrites
We had a park play group that lasted through early school years, then we made friends with other parents at school.
Create an email or chat group with other local parents who you like!
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