Updated: Aug. 21, 2015
Originally Published: May 20, 2010
You might have heard moms chatting on social media or in the local park about finding their “tribe.” Some have already found theirs, while others are still on the hunt.
A Mom Collective is like a cozy circle of friendship where every member shares common experiences, like the ability to clean snot from a moving target using just a napkin and a hope. There are unspoken rules that bind us—etched into our very being, shaped by the countless baby hands that pull, tug, and mold our skin into shapes that resemble lumpy dough.
Our Collective thrives during coffee meet-ups where we share laughs over the absurdities of life, like discovering unexpected chin hairs, all while trying to drown out the noise of toddlers engaged in their playful battles. Here are the ten guidelines of our Collective:
- Our Collective, Our Rules: If we feel like adding a splash of wine to our coffee cake, we will. With kids clinging to us like uninvited guests, we embrace the freedom to do as we please.
- No Judgments in Our Homes: We won’t judge how your home looks. In fact, it’s perfectly fine to grab a crying baby and start tidying up your kitchen while sampling your snacks.
- We’re Unshockable: Nothing surprises us anymore—be it odd rashes, unexpected bodily functions, or parenting fails. Our partners? They are blissfully unaware of our tales.
- Kid-Free Zone: When we gather, our kids take a backseat. They dominate our lives already; this time is about us.
- Master Multitaskers: You should be able to chat about administering a suppository, breastfeed a wiggly baby, and decide if you need to intervene in a toddler tussle—all at once.
- Wisdom from Experience: The mom with the oldest child has seen it all. She carries the secrets of parenting that the rest of us are yet to discover.
- No Parenting Critiques: We don’t judge each other’s parenting choices. Every kid has their unique brand of chaos, and we’re all just navigating our own.
- Vegas Rules Apply: What happens in our circle stays in our circle. We can share our secrets without fear of judgment from each other’s partners.
- Solidarity in Sharing: A perfectly timed “That’s happened to me!” can be the best comfort. We’re here to remind one another that we’re not alone in this wild journey.
- Love with a Side of Honesty: We adore our children, which gives us the freedom to vent about their antics—out of earshot, of course. Forget the bragging; we want to hear about the times your little one acted like a little monster!
If you’ve got kids, you’re officially in the Mom Collective. Now, let’s mix some rum into a cake batter and laugh about that strange line that’s showing up on your belly.
For more insights, check out this post about home insemination, or visit Make a Mom for expert advice on self-insemination. For additional resources on family-building options, Resolve is a fantastic place to start.
Summary
Joining the Mom Collective means embracing a set of unspoken guidelines that foster friendship and understanding among mothers. From sharing parenting secrets to supporting one another without judgment, this is a sanctuary for moms navigating the beautiful chaos of motherhood.