I was always in the mindset that after school and college you don’t make another large circle of friends. What started off as going for a walk with a friend of a friend, led to meeting a group of life long friends. After Alessia was born, I was away for a number of months, so I did not join baby and mother groups. I had a couple of friends that had babies and I was easing myself into motherhood. Basically, continuing doing everything I used to do.
When I returned from Italy Alessis was that bit bigger and although I continued to bring her everywhere there was some places she just wasn't welcome. I was kindly invited to a baby and mother lunch date in one of the girls' homes. Slowly the group expanded and eventually there were eight mothers and their babies. Four boys and four girls so the perfect matchmaking group.
This time last year I had none of these people in my life. But since coming to New York I really miss this group of friends, which I only acquired after having Alessia. They are one of the most genuine, honest, sincere, kind and loving people I have ever met. They made the entry into motherhood such a Fantastic time. They took away the chance of any loneliness and instead gave me life long friendships, support, kindness and social gatherings. Without them, Alessis and I certainly wouldn't have had half as much fun. To have a group of people to experience motherhood with, who get one another, and to have constant support and encouragement is something I would never have deemed important prior to having Alessia.
Nobody wants to bore none baby friends talking about baby things, it's just not interesting. But to have people going through something similar is a vital part of the package for maternity leave.
We had lunch in one another’s homes, we would all bring something and it was always extremely relaxing and easy going. Just happened, everyone was incredibly good at cooking and I would really look forward to these super chilled out lunches. The babies ranged in age the eldest Alessia and the youngest six months younger. We went for walks, coffee, called to one another for a chat. We joined baby exercise classes, baby yoga and Jo Jingles,
One of the girls organized a first aid course in her home; the lady giving it nearly fainted when as soon as we entered we were getting offered wine and beer, and finger food. Yes, this was a social gathering for us; we could bring our babies and our partners and learn about how to save our children from choking while having some wine. It was not only about babies and it certainly wasn’t a forced group of people coming together as we just happened to have children the same age. We really bonded and became friends. There were barbeques where everyone brought their partners, and birthday parties. We even organized a night out without the babies, which was so much fun. As much as I love Alessia she is insanely active so on most of our outings I did very little chatting more running around after her. Still, I enjoyed it immensely.
When I was sick, each and everyone offered to come by, watch Alessia and bring me food. One girl came by in the lashing rain with medicine, honey and oranges. This was the biggest support network I had. We didn’t sugar coat things and try and act polite everyone was real and honest and it was so liberating to be part of such a like-minded group of people. Like all good things they come to an end, I’ve come to New York, others have gone away people are going back to work. But it hasn’t really come to an end the dynamic is just changing; they are still a great support and fantastic friends. They are what I miss in the busy streets of New York. That is something that is hard to find and when you do, you don’t take it for granted. I will look forward to our night out on my return and comparing stories and photos of our ever-changing babies.
FREEFUN NYC
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