I’m always trying to find ways for my toddler to interact with other kids his age and have plenty of play dates, especially since he stays at home with me. But for many new moms like myself, breaking the ice with other moms can be a real challenge. I remember the first time I took my son to the playground; I was a bit shy about approaching other moms. How do you break the ice? What do you say? It can be nerve-wracking.
Fortunately, I picked up a few conversation starters that worked every time.
So next time you’re at the park or at a mommy-and-me class, why not try dropping one of these lines? Don’t forget — we’re all in the same parenting boat. The mom next to you is probably just as eager to have mom friendships as you are.
1. Compliment Their Child: I’ve never met a mom that didn’t like to hear about the cuteness of their kid. You can start off by saying something like, “Aw, your son is so cute… he has gorgeous eyes,” or perhaps, “She’s adorable! I love that dress.” Just make sure the compliment is sincere, or else it will come across as fake. This is actually how I made my first mom friend a few months back. I was at a mommy-and-me-class and my friend’s daughter had the most gorgeous blue eyes, and I just couldn’t resist letting her know! The conversation instantly took off from there.
2. Ask About Their Child’s Age: I usually find that if their child is close in age to my son, that helps the conversation along. You can even combine this question with the first one. For example, “Your son is so cute! How old is he?” One time, I met a mom whose son had the same birthday as my son — it was an instant bond.
3. Ask Their Child’s Name: Make small talk by asking their child’s name, and then compliment it, of course —”That’s a beautiful name.” If you are at a playground, you can even ask if they live in the area. Finding commonalities can help build a potential mommy friendship.
4. Make Eye Contact and Smile: A smile is one of the easiest ways to break the ice, without saying a word. It shows that you are friendly and approachable. So don’t be afraid to smile. One time I was at the park with my son, and just having another mom smile back at me gave me the confidence to go up and say “Hi.” We ended up living on the same block, and would schedule “stroller dates” every Wednesday.
Do you have any tips for breaking the ice with new moms?
