I’m Jealous of My Friends Who Waited to Have Kids

5

Friends out drinking.I was a younger mom. I got pregnant at 24 and gave birth less than a week after my 25th birthday. My son was a beautiful surprise but not part of my meticulously planned 20s. I was overjoyed when he came into this world and haven’t regretted the decision to become a young, single mom once.

It was lonely, though.

Living and working in New York City, very few of my friends had children. Soon after my son was born, I moved in with a single male friend from college to save money, and my mom came to stay with us to help out.

I tried to balance all the wants of a 20-something in the Big Apple with the demands of motherhood. I wanted to go to Brooklyn rooftop parties on Saturdays and boozy brunches on Sundays with him and his boyfriend. Instead, I usually fell asleep to Daniel Tiger on Saturdays and cleaned blueberries off every surface on Sundays.

Still, I was happy.

Only recently, when a good friend had a son, and we were all trying to meet for Happy Hour, did I realize what I truly missed out on during those years: Compassion. Our group of friends was willing to travel hours if needed to ensure we were close to work and home for her. As the mom of an infant, we wanted to make sure that this outing was convenient and allowed her to have fun but get home to the baby ASAP.

I didn’t have that. I was jealous. I think I had been for a long time.

When we moved to Westchester, a new acquaintance gave birth. Her friends (all moms) organized a potluck delivery service for the first month of motherhood. Everyone picked a day or two that month to deliver homemade food. Someone asked if I’d be willing to make something because I love to cook. I said no and lied that I was too busy. Really, I was green with envy. No one did that for me, I thought.

I was wrong.

Of course, when a woman has friends who have had children, they know what to say and do. They understand that you don’t want to be asked out to an open bar (because you can’t afford to spend the next day recovering from that kind of hangover, even if you did get a babysitter). That you’d much rather have friends come over with a bottle of wine and a casserole so you don’t have to cook the next day.

My friends didn’t know that.

I can’t hold a grudge because of that. I can only be grateful they were loving and kind when I had my son. They remained friends even though we had less time together, and I bailed more than once on important events. It wasn’t their fault that they didn’t know what a mother needed – they weren’t moms. And now, as a mother, I know it takes a village to get through it all. They were my village, and I would now be theirs.

I just happen to have some inside knowledge.

5 COMMENTS

  1. You’re amazing. The honesty in which you share is wonderful. Few people could and would admit to such a feeling. The thing about waiting is with or with a child now, we’re all tired and in our 30s! Thanks for sharing!

    • Thank you for reading! And yes, if I ever have number two I am sure I will have a whole new appreciation for women who had babies in their thirties, because I can barely stay awake to watch Top Chef these days. ha.

  2. It certainly does take a village of all your best friends and a mountain of compassion and empathy from everyone. I’m so sorry you didn’t have that and so impressed how you managed without. You are a warrior!

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