10 Easy Ways to Make Friends With Other Single Moms

Making new friends as an adult is hard, but making new friends as a single mom can be even more challenging. So how are you supposed to find ways to make friends with other single moms? 

When you’re not busy taking care of your kids and running errands, you’re desperately catching up on sleep or hustling at work to make ends meet. As a result, it can be tough to find time for yourself, let alone time to meet new people.

But as difficult as it may seem, having friends as a single mom is essential. Friends can provide love, support, and comfort during difficult times. They can also help you stay sane during those days when you feel like you’re going crazy from the stress (yes, mama, we’ve all been there).

That’s why I want to help you expand your circle to include some new faces to validate and affirm your point of view on life. Despite the non-stop challenges of being a single mom, I promise it’s possible and worthwhile to make friends with other single mamas—even if it means coming out of your comfort zone.

The Challenges of Socializing as a Single Mom

Like most single moms, you probably don’t have much free time to go out and meet new people. Even if you did have the time, it’s not always easy to make small talk with strangers and acquaintances when you’re constantly exhausted. And then there’s childcare to consider—who’s going to watch the kids while you’re out for a night on the town?

But listen, mama, if you try to do everything alone, it will quickly wear down your mental health. Maybe you’re already well on your way to burnout as you read this.

While finding a work-life balance and making friends as a single mom can feel like an impossible task, remember that you’re not actually alone. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 15 million single mothers in the United States. And many of them are looking for ways to make new friends and build a friendly support system just like you!

Even as a single mama with a jam-packed schedule, there are plenty of ways to meet other women like you and create lasting friendships. Here are some of my favorite tips for making friends with other single moms.

10 Easy Ways to Make Friends With Other Single Moms

1. Spend more time outside. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a cozy front porch or even a street-facing garage, get yourself a couple of chairs and have a seat while the kids play in the yard. You’ll quickly get a feel for the other families who share your neighborhood, and you might even spot another single mama as she pulls into the driveway. Walk over to introduce yourself and invite her over for a beverage if you click—it’s that simple!

2. Talk to other moms at pick up and drop off. 

If your kids are in school or daycare, there’s a good chance you see the same group of parents every day. Use this as an opportunity to get to know them better. Scope out the scene for other single moms and get to know each other. Don’t be shy—a simple, “Hi, I’m ____. My son/daughter is in _____’s class,” is a great way to start a conversation.

Who knows? You might even decide to start a carpool together and save each other some time (and gas money)!

3. Accept more invitations. 

I know, mama—you just want to lay on the couch and vegetate after a long week. It’s easy to get bogged down by the day-to-day grind and forget to have fun when you’re a single mom. But when someone extends an invitation, try your best to attend, even if it means saying yes to that wine night or girls’ lunch you don’t feel like going to. Also, meeting other single mamas is easy when you network through mutual friends.

4. If you can, offer to host. 

Not every single mom has a space that can accommodate company, but if you do, try to host a get-together with some of the other moms you know. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it’s a great way to socialize and get to know other women in your network.

Don’t have the space (or desire) to entertain at home? You can even invite other mamas over for a family-friendly potluck picnic in the park.

5. Chat with your children’s friends’ moms. 

Another great way to make friends with other single moms is by getting to know the mothers of your kids’ friends. You’re already spending time together at birthday parties and soccer games, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to get to know each other better?

You can also connect with other moms through your children’s school or extracurricular activities. For example, if your kid is taking dance classes, there’s a good chance you spend a lot of time with the other parents in the waiting room. Use this as an opportunity to socialize!

6. Join a workout group.

Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, and it’s also a great way to make friends with other single moms. If you can find a workout buddy (or even a regular group fitness class) that meets when your kids are in school, practice, or daycare, you’ll get some much-needed me-time while also getting to know some other women. In addition, many communities offer free classes at local rec centers, so check out your options!

7. If you can swing it, volunteer for a school event. 

School events are a great way to get to know other single moms in your community, and they’re also a great way to support your children’s education. So whether you’re chaperoning a field trip or helping out with the bake sale, volunteering is a great way to meet other single moms in your neighborhood.

8. Join a group for single mamas. 

There are tons of online and offline groups for single moms, so there’s bound to be one that’s a perfect fit for you. You can find groups for specific interests (like working out, parenting, or financial planning) or join a general group for single mothers (like Single Mom Spot!) If you haven’t already subscribed, join our community for free and start building your network.

9. Arrange a playdate. 

If you’re like most single moms, your social life probably revolves around your kids’ schedules. So why not turn that playdate into a mama meetup? It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know other moms in a relaxed setting while the kiddos burn off some energy. 

10. Hang around at the playground. 

The playground is a great place to meet other moms, especially if you have few friends with kids the same age as yours. Just pull up a bench and start a conversation—you might be surprised how easy it is to connect with someone when you have kids in common.

How a Single Mama Sisterhood Can Change Your Life

Single motherhood can be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. If you reach out and connect with other single moms, you can create a supportive network to help you through life. Imagine having an entire network of women to look to when you need advice or validation. That’s what happens when you develop a network of single mamas to support each other. 

I created Single Mom Spot for that exact reason. Think of this as your own little corner of the digital world where you can talk to other women who understand all the unique challenges that single moms have to overcome every single day. And once you see how amazing it is to have support here, I hope you go out and make some connections with other single moms who share your part of the real world.

Okay, lady, your turn to share tips for making friends with other single mamas around town. What are your go-to moves for cultivating new friendships? Share your ideas in the comments!