UPDATE: Due to some trouble with comments being eaten, I’m re-opening this contest through 11:59 PM on Sunday, December 16, so you still have a chance.
When you think about it, making friends as a new mom is a lot like trying to pick up guys at the bar. (Not that I’d know anything about that.) (No, really, I was already married with a kid by the time I was old enough to go to the bar). You’ve got a limited amount of time to talk somebody up, figure out what they’re like, and gauge their interest in you before “closing time” (or, in the case of the child at the playground, meltdown time or poopy diaper time or nap time or Dear-God-i’m-sick-of-pushing-this-swing time.) You don’t want to let that potential buddy slip away, possibly never to be seen again unless your future trips to the park happen to align; but it can be awkward to ask for her digits when you’ve just met her and aren’t sure how she feels about you. So how do you seal the deal?
Chime in here, readers: I want to hear your best, most clever or most effective mom-pick-up lines. Maybe instead of “So, what’s your sign?” it’s “So, what’s your sling?”. or “Hey there, good-looking” (Said to the baby, not the mom). Whether it’s something that’s actually worked for you or just a tongue-in-cheek play on a classic pick-up line, I want to hear it. Post as many as you’d like in the comments, with backstory if there is one, (be sure to leave contact info or a link back to your blog so I can reach you!) and I’ll pick a favorite. Winner gets a free copy of one of my books (your choice) plus some swag I picked up at the BlogHer conference over the summer and have been meaning to give away. Tell all your friends, and enter early and often!
Well, I don’t know any good or clever mommy pick-up lines but when my daughters were toddlers and preschoolers I could usually only get out a “hi” to another mom before one of my kids said they needed to use the bathroom (even when they went before we left the house…).
So usually the next thing out of my mouth was, “Do you know where there is a bathroom around here?”
But if we were at a playground near our house and one of them interrupted me, I would usually tell that mom, “I think I could tell you the color of liquid soap in every public bathroom in this area. My daughters like bathrooms with the pink soap best.”
I know I scared off a few moms with that commentary but am happy to say I know longer possess that information now that the girls are 10 & 11 years old
How about, “Want to move into my old apartment?” I made a great new mom-friend that way!
Your place or mine? (playdate that is!
[…] friend Meagan is running a fun contest on her blog about making friends with other moms. Hop on over and post your ideas and you’ll get a chance […]
“Dad isn’t home during the day. I have snacks and DVDs. Wanna come over?”
“Hi, so, I figure since my kid has made friends with your dog, I should come introduce myself.”
- When the young couple moved in next door. They have, sadly, moved away now…
“Sorry to bother you, but do you know the woman who lives in front of you?”
- Not really a pick up line, but a dog was caught in the blinds, and now this neighbor and I are great friends.
And of course: “You’re a horrible mom, I’m a horrible mom…we should hang out!”
- My daughter’s best friend’s mom and first only exchanged tentative hellos, but one day we agreed we are horrible moms (because we didn’t allow the girls to run all over town - hence, we are joking), so this was my pick-up line.
My youngest is from China… When we go out and see another little Chinese child, I usually say,
“Your daughter is beautiful! What province is she from?”
Before I know it, we are exchanging email addresses and phone numbers.
Wow, it looks like our sons really get along! Wanna get together without them and get a cup of coffee??
Usually my thing is “Do you blog?” : )
Steph
Oh, so many times I’ve done this….moved three times with my kids (almost 4 and 2 1/2). I have a standard series for this as I did it so often in 3 countries.
What cute shoes your son/daughter has on. Where did you get them? What great verbal skills your son/daughter has. Is he/she in school? Where? Can you tell me some great places to take the kids around here? I’m new here around here do you know of any mom’s groups. That usually leads into a phone number/email exchange.
My husband laughs that in any location, I have a group of friends within 2 months.
Here’s mine: While on line at a public restroom - “Wipe here often?”
Tell her you are trying to find a few fun girls to try a pole dancing class. (It is a fun time, really, if you haven’t tried it. And an amazing workout.)You will quickly find out if she is a friend worth having or not.
This was really fun! You know, a few of us moms get together each week for playdates at parks, museums, and just hanging out in our backyards sometimes. Would you guys like to join us?
(It only takes a couple moms to start a FANTASTIC playgroup!)
well i am starting all over again at 44 raising our grandkids,age 2 and 5.So for me now it is to ask”is it kid friendly”!I have met some really nice mom’s and grands like this ,,with just those few little words..lol
merry christmas!