Friends!

Having come from an area with a thriving moms group, I am starting to feel a tiny bit lonesome. Leif goes off to work and Joshua and I stare at each other. It doesn't help that he's at an age (or perhaps it's due to the recent move) where he's resistant to ideas. "Want to go to the library today, Joshua?" "No." "Let's go to the water fountain today! Doesn't that sound fun?" "No, I don't want to do that." "Want to sit around all day and be bored?" "Yes, that sounds about right, Mom." (Ok, that last one is obviously not his words, but if he could articulate that, and grasp the sarcasm, then they would be!)

So the search for friends continues. We're doing the library storytime, but right now we're just the "new people." You know, the ones all the regulars stare at, as if to say: "You're not from around these parts, are ya, stranger!" I know, because I've given this look myself. Not meaning to, of course, but I think we've all done it. Theoretically, we'll keep going and soon will be not so unfamiliar, but in the meantime we just go and smile, playing right along. It's like there are secret rules to meeting other mommies: we like to assess each other first, finding out what kind of mom and person you are. Do you let your child run wild? Are you a bit too protective? Do you bring food in to storytime? Do you (and yes, I actually saw this happen at my old storytime) actually bring in your laptop, open it up to do some work, and then top it off by taking a cell call, pretending you're subtle by holding your hand over your mouth while you conduct that critical call? So we sit there, on our best behavior, knowing we're being subjected to this mother scrutiny. I would say the scrutiny goes both ways, but let's be honest: I'm just inwardly ecstatic when someone dares to make eye contact and even smiles.

So I've started the online hunt for moms groups. And I have to admit, I was humbled today at discovering my short-sightedness, and yes, sexism. I had been Googling all sorts of terms with little success: Corvallis moms group, Willamette Valley moms group, mothers group. I found a couple, but they seem to be primarily message boards. Today I checked out Craigslist and under the platonic section (which I was still a little apprehensive to click) the very first posting was for a Corvallis parents group. Mothers group? Get with the times, girl! Parents group! Of course, I joined right away, but it remains to be seen if this will be more chat boards and virtual friends, or actual physical beings who would like to join us at the park. In the meantime, it's so much harder for Joshua to stare at me while he watches a train video...which, I guiltily admit, he is doing this very minute. :)