The Sisterhood of Motherhood

There is just something about being a mother...

As a teenager and a young adult I never had that many female friends. I'm not sure why. I had one or two girlfriends who were more like my sisters than friends. (Especially my college roommate who was my absolute best friend for years until our two different lives pulled us apart.) But I was never part of that girl group that other women seemed to fall into fairly easily, until I had children.

There is something about motherhood that seems to pull women together and makes you feel like you're part of some larger club. Of course not all mothers get along, but when you're a mom, especially when you have children of a similar age, it is so much easier to have a rapport. You have a starting place. Your lives are very similar in many ways. Having children gives you a very common denominator. I've even had moms who had older children give me comfort or aid simply because they remember what it was like. Just going to the playground usually means meeting and having a short conversation with another mom. We may never meet again but for a few short moments we are sisters of a sort.

You can find this sisterhood of motherhood everywhere children congregate: baby gym classes, playgrounds, preschools, pools, music classes, storytimes, etc. Now of course there are cracks in this sisterhood. Those moms who work vs. those who don't. Those things that divide all of society: race, class, and economics. They divide mothers too. But I am continually amazed at how motherhood pulls women together.

From the time Q was an infant I have met and been friends with amazing women who also had small children. They have been amazing in supporting me through all kinds of things. They are the group of women friends I always wanted but never had. I don't think we are friends just because we are mothers, but being moms gives us so much in common. And since we all know what caring for children means, we can support each other through the hard times.
Since Q has been in therapy I am meeting a whole new sisterhood of moms of special needs kids. It is amazing to me how different our kids can be and yet, we still understand each other and can support each other.

So here's to all my friends, my sisters in motherhood, thank you so much for being there for me and being part of my life.