Whether on the internet or in real life, moms and dads benefit from each other's support and camaraderie. Vicki Broadbent, the woman behind the acclaimed family lifestyle blog Honest Mum, believes that parents need other parents so they don't feel so alone.
But that said, "I only mix with parents I would hang out with even if we weren't parents," she explained to Bored Panda. "Being moms, for example, is not enough to make us compatible as friends. We need to share values first and foremost, but also interests too, outside of our kids in order to bond and enjoy one another's company."
"Ultimately friendship is about coming together and having fun, it's about feeling comfortable in one another's company and it involves building trust which usually occurs over time," Broadbent added.
"I cherish my friends who are parents because they're non-judgmental, kind, and supportive. They're all super funny too!"
These relationships can indeed be valuable. For example, according to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, American parents are more likely to say they feel judged by family members than by their friends, other parents in their community, or people they interact with online.
However, while about half or fewer parents say they regularly feel judged by different groups, a majority of them (57%) report there might be some truth to it, as they believe their children's successes and failures reflect a great deal or a fair amount on the job they're doing as parents.
"Horses for courses though right, not every friend needs to meet your every need, and some friends will be more of an acquaintance, others will be your 'ride or dies,'" Vicki of Honest Mum added.
"Keep your circle small though and find out if they have your back before telling them your most intimate secrets!"
At the end of the day, the mom believes it all comes down to trust and what feels comfortable. "Some feel it's easier to open up candidly to those they don't know that well. Others, like myself, have to have known friends for years to be fully vulnerable. Follow your heart, but be cautious too; it's hard to ascertain people's intentions when you've only just met them," she suggested. So if memes are enough for you, that's good too!
