5 signs your “parent friends” are more like family
When Boca Super Dad and I had our daughter, we were the first in our circle to have kids. TBH, our lack of “parent” friends made parenthood lonely, hard, and confusing. And while we loved our pre-parent friends, there were some things that they couldn’t relate to. We were torn with how to balance our desire to maintain relationships important to us, while figuring out how to make friends that could relate to our new reality.
It took time, experimentation, and some damn good luck. Over time, we found, nurtured, and grew an enviable framily of like-minded parents. Our framily is an extraordinary group of people that we know we can lean on, whether it’s for a random school-related question, an emergency playdate, or simply to drink wine and gossip. They are truly the best.
Do you have an amazing framily (friends that are more like family) of like-minded parents? Here are 5 signs:
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They get it – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Before you had kids, you had this idealistic (yes, judgy) view of the obvious good choices you would make which would ultimately result in your child being a perfect angel.
I WILL NEVER LET MY KID SLEEP WITH ME
MY KID WILL EAT WHAT I EAT, PERIOD
MY KID WILL NEVER FREAK OUT AT THE GROCERY STORE
MY KID WILL CLEAN UP WITHOUT BEING ASKED
I WILL NEVER YELL AT MY KID
Funny, right? It doesn’t take long for a new parent to find out that kids are tiny vicious monsters with immature brains that don’t exactly work with adult logic. Your framily gets this. Not only do they not judge you; they offer full-fledged sympathy, and usually a glass of wine.
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They’re there for you in a pinch
Taking care of kids isn’t easy, and things come up. Your framily comes to the rescue when urgency is high, whether it’s an emergency babysitter, a borrowed stick of butter, or an urgently needed explanation of common core math. Your framily is there and ready to help and for this, they are invaluable.
Do you relate? Pin me.
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You celebrate life together
What’s life without a little celebration? There’s nothing quite like celebrating your framily members. Whether it’s a birthday, a graduation, a bar mitzvah, or something as simple as a really good potty training day. Your framily loves to celebrate life with you. For big things, your framily is by your side, and for the little things, your framily encourages you with a small pat on the back, a text message or a Facebook comment.
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They accept you for you (even at your worst).
Once upon a time, I used to worry about making my house spotless before having company. I’d fear impromptu company and what people would think if they saw things “the way they really are.” I’m so over that now because my framily knows that I’m a mess, and loves me despite that fact (or maybe even sometimes because of it)!
Your framily doesn’t just love your strengths, they embrace everything that comes along with them, including the ugly.
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You keep each other on track
Your framily somehow saves your life when you don’t expect it. It’s the little things like a reminder that your kid’s big project is due Friday, or intel on the latest drama affecting your school. They give you tips on the best extracurricular programs and summer camps for the kids, and help you find the right salons (or barber shops), workout classes, and kid friendly restaurants.
They’re an endless source of like-minded insight. And this saves your life over and over.
So there you have it – 5 signs your group of “parent friends” is actually your framily. What would you add?
