Recently, I had a heart-to-heart with my longtime friend, Mia. I confessed that sometimes I worry I come off as too sarcastic or too outspoken, and maybe I should tone it down a bit. Her response reminded me why she’s been my confidante for over two decades. “You’re the same person I shared a dorm with in college, and that’s who I adore. Please, never change who you are.” She understands that at this point in life, I’m not about to morph into someone else, and frankly, she wouldn’t want me to.
Chances are, you’re not changing either, and you shouldn’t have to alter your personality to maintain your friendships. Here are the traits that define the kind of friends who appreciate you for who you are:
Moms need friends who embrace their true selves.
It’s exhausting to hold back just to avoid making someone uncomfortable. Moms require friends who allow their authentic and messy selves to shine without fear of judgment.
Moms need friends with unrealistic expectations.
We often dream about glamorous girls’ weekends filled with high heels and cocktails, but let’s be honest—we’re just as happy lounging in pajamas and indulging in junk food. There’s always next time for the extravagant plans, right?
Moms need friends who don’t mind the late-night or early-morning calls.
Sometimes, we need support at odd hours, which means our besties might get a glimpse of us in our comfiest T-shirts and sans makeup.
Moms need friends who can make them laugh.
Life can be overwhelming—between parenting, relationships, and work, it’s a lot to juggle. We all need a friend who can inject humor into our lives, even if it’s unintentional. If you can make me laugh until I cry, you’re my person for life.
Moms need friends who communicate openly.
If I upset you, let me know directly instead of gossiping to someone else. I don’t have time for drama stirred up by outsiders; our friendship should be free of mediators.
Moms need friends who uplift them.
Encouragement is key, whether it’s indulging in a guilty pleasure or cheering you on as you tackle new challenges. You remind me that I’m capable, even when self-doubt creeps in.
Moms need friends ready to defend them.
If anyone tries to badmouth one of my friends, you better believe I’ll stand up for them. Nobody messes with my crew, especially not Nancy from down the street.
Moms need friends who know kids can be a handful.
All kids can act out at playdates; if you think your child is perfect all the time, we might not vibe well.
Moms need friends who keep it real at kids’ events.
It doesn’t matter whose kid is misbehaving; if you’re rude from the sidelines, I can’t associate with that negativity. I prefer authentic friendships.
Moms need friends who will give honest feedback.
If my outfit isn’t flattering, I want you to tell me. If there’s something stuck in my teeth, give me a heads-up. Honesty is everything!
Moms need friends who are fine with texting over calling.
You understand that I might reach out via text instead of a phone call, and if I do need to chat, you won’t judge when I have to take a bathroom break—because kids do a number on our bladders!
Moms need friends who stand by them during tough times.
When life gets hard, your true friends are the ones who support you through the chaos and come out on the other side with you.
Moms need friends who share their food.
If I’m craving a bite of your nachos, you won’t bat an eye. Just don’t expect me to lick salt off your margarita glass—promise!
Ultimately, moms need friends who are authentic, supportive, and who will tell off anyone trying to bring negativity into their lives. We need those who love us exactly as we are—quirks and all.
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In summary, the right friends for moms are those who embrace authenticity, share laughter, provide honest feedback, and stand by them through thick and thin.