There are so many ways to communicate these days. Let’s see, there’s email, facetime, social media and for purposes of this post, Group Text Messages.
My group texts have gone from women chatting about things like their favorite outfits to women discussing everyday journies as a mom. It’s become a safe haven to dump frustrations, ask for help, overshare those cute photos of the babies (for people who really appreciate them) and provides a “no judgment” zone on this rollercoaster ride called Motherhood.
Got a concern about diaper rash? Text your mama chat. Need to vent about cleaning up toys all day? Text your mama chat. Feel like cursing, but you are around the children? Text your mama chat.
When all else fails, the group text messages have been a consistent place that helps me navigate my uncertainty, my sadness, and relatability with other mother friends I am close with.
Here are some ways those Group Chats save the day and why they have importance.
Immediate Support
I recall my son having his first meltdown in the store. I didn’t expect to be so overwhelmed by the entire ordeal, but I was (new mom stuff).
After getting settled in the car, I send out a text message to my mama group. Something like “first meltdown in the store today” with a sad face emoji. Moments later, I received a few laughing replies with a reminder this is what children do. My friends also shared first-hand accounts of their own meltdowns. Sending out this text instantly helped me deal with it all. It didn’t weigh on me as much and it became an afterthought.
Now, I know we all can’t be available 24/7, but texts allow us to at least get some feelings out of our heads. If our girlfriends don’t see it until hours later it is still ok.
Text Anywhere
I’ve texted on the toilet, while pumping, during practice, hiding in the closet crying. You name it. Your mama support system goes wherever you go and this can be reassuring when you may have been having a trying day.
Actual Phone Calls Can Be Exhausting
I hate to even type this because human connection is extremely important to me, but if you are a mama
Let’s break this one down a little bit:
- No Mute Button: Children don’t have a mute button like the TV. So the sound doesn’t go down when you are making a phone call. There have been plenty of times, I felt like a broken record or loudspeaker chatting on the phone.
- Takes Focus off Children: Sometimes, I can’t stop what I am doing with my sons to take a phone call. Maybe we are in the middle of our reading session, art activity or anything else that involves me being with them. Text messages
let’s us unplug from the phone but still allow us to be available for a quick question or inquiry of support if needed.
Be Clear. This doesn’t mean I can’t EVER take a phone call. It just gives an alternative in the event, I am not available the traditional way.
Space
As a mom, we get pulled in so many different directions. Sometimes a text message is a happy medium to a connection. Maybe we want to communicate but we just don’t want to have long drawn out conversations. The Group chat can be this for us. Mom is tired.
Sharing is Caring
Group Texting has been a great place to share the amazing reads, photos of “how we mom”
Now all of this text talk has me thinking about my mother’s generation and generations before her. Whew! How did they survive without this? We are kind of spoiled š
Seeing the evolution of my group chats is something I’m extremely proud of. We all have become more vulnerable, transparent and better friends for each other and our children.
Texts shouldn’t replace real organic conversations by any means, but it does keep at least one line of communication open for us that otherwise would be nonexistent. Motherhood can be a lonely place.
This post is a dedication to all the mama group text convos. May you continue to support each other through the good and the bad. Because we all are just one text away.
How has your mama group text helped you?
Got questions or want to collab? Send me a quick message to connect.