I shared on my social media that August 7th was National Friendship Day here in the US and while I celebrated my real life and bloggy friend,
, on that day; there is no reason not to celebrate your friends every day!
Growing up, I would say I was good at making friends. It came fairly easy. I had my own little group of friends that I was close to all throughout Junior High and High School. I made friends after my school years through work, various activities, friends of friends. But when you become a parent – let’s be real; finding friends is hard!
As parents we have found the following to happen:
* Your friends from pre-kids don’t have kids. Either they aren’t in a relationship so relationships are dumb and kids are even dumber.
* Your friends are far to immature to be in the presence of your kids. Yes, hubby had some questionable friends who enjoyed their recreational drugs and alcohol a little too much.
* You can’t drop everything and just go like your friends can. They don’t understand that concept and or they don’t respect that concept (I think this one is my biggest pet peeve.)
* Let me repeat. You can’t drop everything and just go. Life is slightly limited when you have kids. Or when you have kids and no sitter.
Friendship is hard. Which is why it is important to celebrate your friends every day and hold on tight – don’t let them go!
Celebrate Your Friends
Send them flowers!
For National Friendship Day, FTD let me send Cathy from Our Mini Family a
and they sent me the same bouquet. I mean, who doesn’t love random surprises of flowers showing up at their door!?
Take them out for a coffee date.
If they can’t go out (because some of us have kids) then bring coffee to her. Who cares what she looks like, what her house looks like, what your house looks like. Ask if she’s home. Tell her your coming by and bring her some coffee.
Wine.
Need I say more? Send her some, take her some, have a wine date.
Send her a card via snail mail.
I love nothing more than getting snail mail. Really. I do. And I love nothing more than a perfectly worded card to brighten someone’s day. So why not find a cute card, a sentimental card, a funny card, a whatever card and snail mail it to your friend to let them know you were thinking about them?
Take her kids!
What I wouldn’t give for someone to take my kids for an hour or come sit with them and occupy them for an hour so I can do something. Alone. Take a shower while someone occupies my 3 year old so she doesn’t climb in with me. An hour to sit down and work uninterrupted or listen to them screaming.
Whatever the gesture, it doesn’t have to be a big gesture. Just something small to let them know that you are thinking of them and that you are grateful for their friendship.