Women intimidate me. Groups of women make me wish I was a turtle. Then I could just leap into my cozy little home when those women got scary and poke my head out to say hello when someone friendly drops by.
I have been attending a monthly mom group that focuses on community service, fundraising and special interest playgroups. A close friend is very involved and new friend I've made recently is also a member. Easy peasy, right?
Mmmhmmm...
After dropping off Bella without a look back (her, not me) and then handing off my screaming two year old to the very kind nursery worker, I hang around the front desk as my good friend C gets the little ones registered in the nursery. In part so I can listen for Ava to calm down (she does, rather quickly) and so I don't have to walk down the loooong hall to the big room full of women. My friend is awesome about introducing me to people but I swear the more I'm introduced, the more I am wishing for a shell to retreat to.
I'm a social tard. Why blame the other women? Most were friendly, some avoided eye contact, a few looked like they also wish they were turtles.
As the meetings go on, I begin to realize why these groups exist. We women often need a support group and sometimes don't want to admit it. Whether it is regarding our spirituality, our marriage, our children or various other reasons.
In this case, it is for our children as well as for ourselves. We all want to be the best parents we can be using fresh ideas and approaches, some old school but alot of it new. We want to set a good example for our children through community service, which is important for every citizen to be a part of. We want our children to see us socialize and become friends with those who may be a little or even a lot different than we are.
I like that. I really do.
So I will leave my shell at home, or at least in the car, and keep going to these meetings. It is healthy for me to continue developing new relationships and since I'm always harping to my children about acceptance of others, I should probably do the same.
Women can be alot of things but motherhood often helps us look past ourselves for the sake of others.
*gulp*
4 comments:
Aww Jenn! I know how you feel. I'm not the best in that department either. It's so much easier to hang out at home and talk in toddler/baby talk all day.
Good for you to step out of your comfort zone!
I would totally hang out with you if we lived in the same hood!
I was thinking of you the other day (Tuesday to be exact) as I sat clad in a lady bug costume complete with pig tails and red dots on my face alone in the corner of a strange livingroom. The other moms decided, without telling each other, that the true cool mommy ignored the instructions to dress up or just wore orange or black to commemorate mommy/kid dress up halloween party.
Let's just say I spent most of the morning talking to my kid. I fully get the whole feeling uncomfortable thing! Come on up to chilly Alberta sometime!
p.s. your comments where you left three and the last one was to just 'feel it out' made me laugh my head off....SO funny!
~Kandace
I feel your pain Jenn. I am a fellow square peg. I say all the wrong things at the right time and the right things when nobody is around to hear them. I'm so socially inadequate, it's scary. My kids are a much safer crowd to hang out with. But I admire and applaud your ability to step out of your comfort zone. Way to go! It's hard to be the grown up.
aw, so proud of you!
keep going so you can blog about mommy-group stuff. that is always entertaining. :)
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