For Lack of a Village: Creating Community in the Modern World

3) Get Online (and then Offline)

Facebook can be a dangerous place.

It’s easy to get hooked on that soul-sucking, endless scroll.

But it can also be the perfect place to connect with like-minded parents.

One of the insidious dangers of social media is the illusion of connection. It provides us with conversation without actually allowing for the soul-nourishing connection of face-to-face interaction.

So reach out!

Post in a local mother’s group or message a like-minded mama. Set a date, and follow through.

4) Story Time

Is a small room swarming with overstimulated toddlers and snotty plastic bobbles your idea of a good time? No? Well, hopefully your local library is less of a shitshow than mine. Check it out!

Really, though, if you have a toddler, the library is probably your best option for a free meetup. My local bookshop and the kids museum also host story times.

5) Be Brave

Strike up a conversation with another parent at the park.

If she’s your kind of weird, ask for her number and set up a play date. You know, for the kids. I’m pretty sure playing near other babies (or acknowledging each other long enough to leave a dental imprint) is good for their development.

Making new friends has never been easy for me, but I’ve gotten so much better at it since having my son. I went on a dozen lackluster (play)dates before I found my mama-date soulmate…and I’m so glad I did.

Have you found your tribe?

Shayla writes about conscious parenting on her blog, Mama Revolution.  She wants to empower other mamas to trust their instincts, even (especially) when it means breaking with convention. Join the Revolution on Facebook and Instagram.

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