Finding your mom tribe – or fellow mom group – is important to a healthy parenting journey.  Even more important is making time to get together for kid-free interaction.  We need to grab our best mom friends (AKA mom tribe) and celebrate them in every season of life.

Finding Your Mom Tribe

No matter what season of parenting we find ourselves in, there is always another momma out there with whom we can commiserate.  The good, the bad, the highs, the lows; we aren’t truly ever alone in our parenting journey.  If you are feeling a little out on your own, I suggest finding your tribe.   We find our tribes through blogs (like this one), social media groups, church groups, or maybe at the ball field. But no matter where you typically connect with your tribe, it’s important to give that mom tribe a night out every now and again.

Everyone views mom tribes differently but here’s my take.

Mom tribes aren’t all about having another family to pawn the kids off on so you and the hubs can have a date night.  (Although, that can be a major perk!)  The point of a tribe is having like-minded moms you can bounce parenting advice off of.  Share in the feel-good moments.  And learn from each other’s setbacks and successes in the parenting world.

Your tribe moms don’t need to be the same age, social class, employment profile, or even have kids the same age.  (Okay, yes it is nice to have a momma friend with at least one child the same age but it’s just as important to have tribe friends that have kids of all ages.)

I’ve mentioned on IG and Facebook that I not only do I write and share my motherhood journey here on The Bourbon Cactus, but I also contribute to a hyperlocal moms blog, Gulf Coast Mom.  Finding that perfect mom tribe is why I love being a Gulf Coast Mom so much.  I have met so many sweet ladies through the GCM that I couldn’t imagine my journey without them.

Keep your mom tribe healthy

Every now and then the GCM contributors get together for some much-needed connection and face time.  Having in-person interaction is critical for any mom tribe.  Introverts and extroverts alike thrive in their mom tribe relationships when time is set aside to be in the presence of one another.  We feed off each other’s energies and relationships grow deeper.  To keep your mom tribe relationships healthy, get together and celebrate each other on a regular basis.  You decide how often that is, but most definitely make it a priority.  A celebration can be as simple as a weekend coffee date or a larger 2-3 hour dinner just chatting and laughing.

Take Time to Intentionally Celebrate Them

In fact, we just had Moms Night Out in April and those couple of hours together reinforced the need for a mom tribe that gathers.  See, we are a group of over 50 women; moms of all ages and stages.  But when we get together we don’t see each other as the Corporate Mom, the SAHM, the Teacher Mom, and so on.  No, we are just a group of moms sharing the insanely funny moments of mom-life and the frustrating calls from the spouse proclaiming they, “don’t know where the baby’s shoes are.”  (*raises hand* Anyone else?)

Most importantly, however, we can share experiences of our own journeys through motherhood.  Like Mariah and Jessica who connected over their interest in homeschooling.  Mariah had all the questions and Jessica is a seasoned homeschool mom.  She is a wealth of experience and knowledge!  Their kids are not the same age, but nonetheless,  they bonded over a common interest and are now helping each other through this stage of motherhood.

No matter the topic of motherhood and life you find yourself and your tribe bonding over, there are a few things that are necessary…

Food, Friends, & Special Moments

Food is communal by nature.  We cook to feed our loved ones; we dine out for connection and good food.  So find a small local food spot and let the good times roll.  Our mom’s night was hosted at The Brick & Spoon, a small woman-owned brunch spot on the Mississippi coast.  It is always an excellent choice for making special moments involving food and friends.  If you aren’t a Gulf Coast local, know The Brick serves a kick-butt brunch.  So it’s a definite stop when you are in town.  However, if you are a Coastie, The Brick & Spoon also has the perfect after-hours atmosphere for making special moments.  You could easily host a killer mom’s night for your tribe like the Gulf Coast Mom did.  But regardless of your location, pick your fav local restaurant and fill it with family and friends.  You don’t need a reason to celebrate other than life! 

Make the Moments Special

If you want to kick up your event another notch, add some glam with light-up marquee letters.  Y’all!  Who wouldn’t feel special walking up to their event seeing it all lit up?  Another local company, Alpha-Lit Marquee Letters, graced the Gulf Coast Mom event with gorg 3-foot tall letters that are not for the faint of heart!  With these signs, even simple a mom’s margarita night in can be made extra.  Shoot, how about just seeing these in your front or back yard to celebrate your own birthday!  (Momma needs to be extra, so tell the hubs to book Alpha Lit for your special day.)  Find marquee letters for your event by giving Google a quick search.  You have endless possibilities for what your sign will display.

Okay, so you know what makes a mom tribe a must, you know where to go for spectacular food and atmosphere, and how to light up any gathering to make it special. Now get out there and make it happen!  I hope this has either encouraged you to finally get out there and find your mom tribe or it has urged you to book that night out with the girls.  Mom tribes are a blessing to the journey of parenting so be intentional with celebrating them!