Friday, July 01, 2005

Meeting at McDonald's

I met a frugal mom in McDonald's last night! We introduced ourselves as our boys exercised in the air-conditioned playground.

I had pretty much decided I'll have to take up knitting, tennis, or scrapbooking in order to socialize with most of my peers. What a breath of fresh air to find a kindred spirit!

It was a lot of fun to chat with a mom whose child does not watch TV. Even more so to discuss how her family organizes life with only one car and to commiserate about being the only mom in a playground of nannies.

(sigh) I really need to get out more!

Just a few minutes of conversation lifted my spirits measurably. I hadn't realized how alone I sometimes feel in making family and financial choices outside the norm.

My friendship skills are a little dusty since coming home, but this taste of community convinces me that polishing will be worth my effort.

4 comments:

Shannon said...

Meredith - I had this same experience this week! I was so excited to "meet" a mom like me:) I've found lots online - which has been a lifeline for me:) - but it was great to find another mom who gets it AND is available for playdates.

Anonymous said...

It is nice to meet a kindred spirit. I'm not good a striking up a conversation, so even when I am out and about and see moms I'd like to talk to, I usually don't.

Meredith said...

Jordana, I'd love to meet you in the real world sometime! I saw the photo of your car piled with salvaged building materials and thought to myself, "There is someone I'd love to know better!"

PS--you would have like my McDonald's friend, too. She's a research librarian!

Anonymous said...

Meredith, it would be fun to get together. :)