Why Friends Will Save Your Marriage and Make You a Better Mom

I am going to let you in on a life-altering secret that was shared with me once: friendships will save your marriage and help you be a better mother to your children. At first, this didn’t make sense to me. Why couldn’t my husband be that friend who I could unload my thoughts and feelings to at any point during the day? I mean one of the reasons I married him was so we could be partners in this life, and partners in this adventure of parenthood.

After more thought and discussion, it became apparent; my husband was still my go-to person that I could turn to when needed. However, my husband doesn’t understand what it is like to be a mom. My girlfriends understood. And not only that, they knew what to say or what not to say when it had been a trying day.

Friendships give motherhood meaning on the hardest days. These are the people that we can turn to in our worst moments, and they can say "I see you" or "I totally understand." Or they are just those people in our lives that make us laugh when we need it the most! Other mothers understand what it is like to be in the thick of this season.

Over the years, I have found that the more genuine, close relationships I have the more fulfilled I am. Being fulfilled, makes me feel more content and happy. When you are content and happy, this bleeds down into your other relationships, including the ones with your spouse and kids.

Making time for our friends is also a form of self-care. Often connecting with friends is the most restorative thing we can do for ourselves. And yet, as mamas, it's sometimes the last thing we make time for! I challenge you to make yourself and your friends a priority this weekend. Pick up the phone, send a text, make a coffee or wine date while the kids play in the yard. Connect this week with someone to remind you that you are not alone in this journey.

If this seems unattainable and you are still craving that companionship of a friend, download the Mama App and check out the Connection section of their Survival Toolkit to find ways to connect to other like-minded mamas.