Whatever season of motherhood you’re in, being a mom is often lonely. Whether you’re a new mom trying to figure out nursing and nap time or a momma in those busy middle years, driving carpool and juggling work, school, and the demands of home. Or maybe your kids are older now and the support network you had as a young mom seems to have evaporated.

Loneliness is often a fact in this season of life, so here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Make the first move! Text a mom in your life and set up a casual play date with the kids or a kid-free lunch if your children are older. Don’t just say, “we should get together soon!” even though I know we are all guilty of that. Text a specific date and get something on the calendar. Be okay if something comes up and they cancel – that happens a lot in this season - but keep on trying! Look around and see if there is anyone in your life that could use a friend – then see how you can be a friend to them. This helps take your focus off your loneliness and gets you thinking about someone else.

2. Look around for a group of moms to join, and if you can’t find what you’re looking for, start your own group! There are so many options these days. Whether it’s a meet up at the park to walk with strollers, a monthly book club, or (of course) a Birds on a Wire group. BOAW groups often start in a neighborhood. A neighbor may not be all that interested in coming to church with you, but they will often come if invited to a moms group. How incredible would it be to be a part of a story like that in your community?

3. Pray and ask God to bring you a friend! Be specific. Ask God for a friend with kids your kids’ ages, or for a single mom friend or a friend who lives nearby. God delights to hear our prayers and He delights in giving us good gifts. Take heart mommas, this may be a lonely season, but your heavenly Father will never leave you alone.