10 Reasons I'm So Grateful For My Friends Who Don't Have Kids
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The encouragement from my mom tribe has been crucial in making it through the most trying phases of raising my two little ones, but they're not the only ones who have shown up in big, unforgettable ways. My friends without kids have been incredible, and to be honest, they don't get enough credit. When you're a mom, it's easy to brush non-mothers off and assume they don't understand. While that might be true for some things, they're truly amazing in others. Keep reading for 10 reasons I'm thankful for my friends who don't have kids. And hey, it might just inspire you to call your own non-mom tribe to say thanks . . . even if your kids are crying in the background.
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They Know There's More to Me Than "Mom"
Most of my friends without kids knew me before I started a family, so they know there's so much more to me than just being a mom. They see how important my kids are to me, but know they don't define the limits of who I can be.
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They Have Patience
They mask any feelings of annoyance when talking on the phone with me while my kids are performing a shrieking duet in the background. I remember what it was like being on the other side of those phone calls, and I was constantly confused about whether people were talking to me or their kids. My friends' patience is amazing.
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They're Aware of My Kids' Bedtime
Instead of having to apologetically explain that I need to work around my kids' bedtime every time we make plans, they naturally weave it into conversations and events without any trace of irritation.
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They Come to Me
The scales are definitely weighted in my family's favor when it comes to where we spend time. They come to my house way more than I go to theirs. They suggest it and joke that if they're inviting themselves over, but we both know it's for my convenience. Without steady sitters around to help, they know it's the easier option and they genuinely don't mind.
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They Know My Clock Is Slow
They know that when they do come over, dinner will always be at least 30 minutes later than I said it would be. They know that my toddler will have broken a new record in bedtime procrastination, and they brush it off like they barely noticed the delay.
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They Show Me Grace
Because they know that nothing ever gets done on time, they give me a grace period with their arrival time. They get to my house a little late, something they've come to understand as my version of being on time.
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They're Genuinely Interested
They ask about my kids and truly listen when I talk about them.
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They Help Me Laugh at Myself
They listen during times of crisis or when I'm feeling overwhelmed by small moments that can trigger big emotions. They help me laugh at myself while validating my feelings.
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They Never Doubt That I'm Still Me
They didn't start speaking to me differently when I became a mom, and they continue to confide in me about the same issues and tell me the same stories they know will make me laugh. This has been a daily reminder that there's more to me than motherhood when it sometimes feels all-consuming.
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They Love My Kids, Too
They care for my kids so much that they send curated care packages and keep a basket of toys at their houses, just for them. They ask about them when they're sick, keep up with their evolving interests, and do everything in their power to win them over.