No matter which mama you are, working or stay-at-home, this whole pandemic thing is probably weighing on you. Stay-at-home moms can’t do the weekly classes or play dates they used to look forward to. Working moms don’t get the adult time and lunch dates they once had. We are all stuck. Feeling isolated and trapped inside all day weighs on you. Don’t fear, there are ways we can still follow social distancing while not feeling so alone. Maintaining connection with your friends will help you feel a little less crazy!
Virtual Lunch Dates
Are you a working mom who misses her weekly lunch dates with friends? This can still happen. Work on maintaining connection by setting up a virtual lunch date. You can still see each other and play catch up. Do you miss your weekly play dates and mom time? Maybe lunch isn’t ideal since you also have littles to feed. Try setting a time while the littles sleep. Or, you can put on a movie to occupy them while you escape for a quick 15-minute virtual chat. As a mom, it’s important to know your circle exists and social distancing doesn’t need to interfere with that.
Start Those Text Threads
An easy and quick way to stay connected is through text threads. Get your closest gal pals in on this and check in on one another. Share funny stories about how your husband ran the vacuum during a virtual meeting you had or send funny memes that showcase what six days of being quarantined does to the appearance. Express how stressed you are that you can’t take the kids anywhere, and feel like you are going to lose your mind. The perk of a text thread is that it is an ongoing convo that can pick up when time allows, making maintaining connection easy. There are three threads I am currently in. Each one gives me a reminder that we are all in this together, and that the feelings I have are valid.
Pick Up the Phone
Before you start freaking out at the idea of talking on the phone, hear me out. When we can’t sit in the same room as our bestie and text just won’t do it, a friendly voice may be the cure. I called a friend to share a quick story and we ended up talking for 30 minutes. I never do that as I dislike talking on the phone. My lack of girl time has made me feel lonely. Hearing my friend’s voice and being able to ramble on for a bit was the therapy I needed. It has made me feel upbeat ever since. If you are one of the lucky ones who still has childcare while you work from home, this should be easy. For those who are boarded in with the kids all day, see if the hubby can take over while you have a phone chat, or try to fit in a call while the kiddos sleep. However you can fit this phone call in, you won’t regret it.
We are social creatures who thrive on connection. One of the many joys of being a mom is having your girlfriends to figure this mom life out with. We may be forced to abstain from being physically close, but that doesn’t mean you have to break that connection. Now, more than ever, we need our friends to keep maintaining that connection.
Looking for more ways to keep a connection going? Check out how to keep a connection with your spouse on date night here!
