friends and children

How I Met Your Mother

When Friendships Evolve After Baby

Make new friends, but keep the old .

Make new friends, but keep the old . . . The friendship philosophy of the Girl Scouts might work on the playground, but isn't always the case when a baby enters the picture. When one friend enters the next stage of her life, others may feel left behind. On last night's episode of How I Met Your Mother, Robin began withdrawing from a trying to conceive Lily after growing apart from her childhood best friend (and "Space Teens" costar!) when the latter became a mother. Did your pre-baby friendships remain the same after your lil one arrived?

Photo courtesy of CBS

Modern Family

Were Your Friends Jealous Over Baby?

Ask any mom, and she'll tell you: life changes drastically with the birth of a baby.


Ask any mom, and she'll tell you: life changes drastically with the birth of a baby. Nights out at the bars are put on hold indefinitely, and friendships often take a backseat to parenting. It's not that friends lose their value; it's that parents have a fuller schedule and more responsibilities, which leads to less "hang" time with their buds. On the "Great Expectations" episode of Modern Family, Cam and Mitchell meet their old gal pal Sally at a bar, where the threesome swigs cocktails. Whenever the couple brings up their newly adopted daughter, Lily, Sal makes inappropriate remarks, leading the dads to conclude she is jealous of their wee one. While it may not play out so obviously in real life, the clip certainly has a token of realism to it.

Were any of your friends jealous of your baby?

motherhood

Do You Give Old Foes a Second Chance For the Kids?

Old foes can turn into friends in the blink of a wee eye.

Old foes can turn into friends in the blink of a wee eye. Moms who once found fault with their high school classmates and childhood friends may find solace in each other during the early stages of motherhood. Women can look past those old teen crushes and get to the heart of matters — sharing opinions on diaper creams, potty training and cooking tips. When the youngsters enjoy each other's company, it's even more reason for the mamas to get along.

Have you befriended someone you never thought you would have before motherhood?

infertility

Mommy Dearest: Babyless Friends

Mommy Dearest, I am a mother to a three-month-old little girl whom I adore.

Mommy Dearest,

I am a mother to a three-month-old little girl whom I adore. I was blessed with a successful pregnancy on the first attempt with my husband, but sad, a few friends of my friends have not been so lucky. Having tried clomid and several rounds of in vitro fertilization, it is becoming increasingly difficult for my childless friends to see me with my baby. One friend has already cut me out of her life because it is too painful for her to be around any infants and I fear I am losing another one to the clutches of non-motherhood. I desperately want to keep my friends, but don't know how to do it without causing them pain every time they see us.

— Fertile Myrtle

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more

Family Ties

Mommy Dearest: Best Friend Can't Stand My Son

Mommy Dearest, I'm a 30-year-old single mom with a son who is 3.

Mommy Dearest,

I'm a 30-year-old single mom with a son who is 3. He's a busy boy so I keep him occupied with lots of sports and activities. Since his father isn't in the picture, I take him everywhere with me.

My relationship with my best friend is strained as a result. She doesn't have patience when he whines or misbehaves and always suggests I get a babysitter so we can hangout alone. I miss my friends, but know my job as a mom is more important. What should I do?

— Moved to Mommyland

To read the response from Mommy Dearest, read more