reminds me of this piece on needing Grandma tribes, not just fellow moms of the same stage (Life Considered brain always at work, couldn't help sharing):
(OK but I was literally thinking this morning that my dream role in the future is something like Community Matriarch, so maybe Grandma Tribe Coordinator could be it.)
PS Meredith, I hope some of your readers are grandma-tribe-age and can better see us young mothers from your piece.
I know some of them are, because some of them are part of my grandma tribe! But yes, I think that this is something any woman in her 40s-50s-60s (and beyond) can offer and wants to offer. The co-ordinating right at the start of the relationship is the tricky part.
I support your campaign for Community Matriarch! Ha! Just another decade or so to go!
YES! It seems that every time I get a chance to talk with a woman in her 40s/50s/60s the message I receive is, "This is hard, but you can do it. It will all work out. You have time. You're doing great." Thanks for writing me a permission slip to be more intentional about building those friendships instead of just crossing my fingers that I'll be able to strike up an encouraging conversation with someone at coffee and doughnuts!
They have been such a lifegiving force for me in the past few years -- made every burden more manageable. Prayers that you find the right ones (or that they find you!)
This is excellent advice. But my introvert self trembles at the thought of finding/cultivating a relationship with a mom one season ahead (whose advice I’d actually like to hear!) 🫣
Thank you for this! I wanted to take a minute (or a day) and think -- here's what came to mind. A few of the women who I know who fit this category I met because their teenage daughters babysat for us. I'd sometimes chat with them when they came to pick up their daughters and then I'd maybe see them at church. This eventually turned into friendship, and one of the main great things about it was I already knew I wanted their advice before jumping in there because they had managed to raise such amazing teen girls.
If you are able to get out, I’ve been able to meet grandmas who watch their kids during the day at library story time and the park. It’s the best. I have two ladies I call my “grandma friends” and this article explains why I was so drawn to them!
this is SUCH a good way to describe the need.
reminds me of this piece on needing Grandma tribes, not just fellow moms of the same stage (Life Considered brain always at work, couldn't help sharing):
https://verilymag.com/2025/01/mothers-need-more-than-a-mom-squad-they-need-a-grandma-tribe-2024
This is an amazing piece, I LOVE IT, thank you for sharing (never feel bad about life-considering it up)
(OK but I was literally thinking this morning that my dream role in the future is something like Community Matriarch, so maybe Grandma Tribe Coordinator could be it.)
PS Meredith, I hope some of your readers are grandma-tribe-age and can better see us young mothers from your piece.
I know some of them are, because some of them are part of my grandma tribe! But yes, I think that this is something any woman in her 40s-50s-60s (and beyond) can offer and wants to offer. The co-ordinating right at the start of the relationship is the tricky part.
I support your campaign for Community Matriarch! Ha! Just another decade or so to go!
YES! It seems that every time I get a chance to talk with a woman in her 40s/50s/60s the message I receive is, "This is hard, but you can do it. It will all work out. You have time. You're doing great." Thanks for writing me a permission slip to be more intentional about building those friendships instead of just crossing my fingers that I'll be able to strike up an encouraging conversation with someone at coffee and doughnuts!
They have been such a lifegiving force for me in the past few years -- made every burden more manageable. Prayers that you find the right ones (or that they find you!)
This is excellent advice. But my introvert self trembles at the thought of finding/cultivating a relationship with a mom one season ahead (whose advice I’d actually like to hear!) 🫣
Thank you for this! I wanted to take a minute (or a day) and think -- here's what came to mind. A few of the women who I know who fit this category I met because their teenage daughters babysat for us. I'd sometimes chat with them when they came to pick up their daughters and then I'd maybe see them at church. This eventually turned into friendship, and one of the main great things about it was I already knew I wanted their advice before jumping in there because they had managed to raise such amazing teen girls.
If you are able to get out, I’ve been able to meet grandmas who watch their kids during the day at library story time and the park. It’s the best. I have two ladies I call my “grandma friends” and this article explains why I was so drawn to them!
Did you look at the article Haley posted in this comment thread? It was amazing, about "Grandma Tribes." Sounds like you have one! https://verilymag.com/2025/01/mothers-need-more-than-a-mom-squad-they-need-a-grandma-tribe-2024
I was looking for such a chair today. Thanks for this.
You can have my metaphorical chairs anytime 💖
Asking for help is a skill
One I'm attempting to get better at... one fumbled ask at a time.