Day Twenty-Six: What Kind of Person Attracts Me

Day 26 of the 30 Day Writing Challenge


Day Twenty-Six: What Kind of Person Attracts Me

When I read this topic I immediately thought about my husband but the more I thought about it the more inclined I was to write about what kind person I would like to be friends with. I go every week to this great place for moms and babies called Belles Mamans ("Beautiful Mothers") Pregnancy and Parenting Center, which offers all sorts of classes like Prenatal and Baby Yoga, Child Development, Music, Salsa, First-Aid, Dealing with Temper Tantrums... you think of it, they probably have it. Plus there's two play areas for kids, a café with highchairs, as well as a comfy couch spot for moms to chat it up.
Anyhow, you meet all sorts of women and it kind of feels like going to school all over again. You want to make some friends but not with just anyone. You have to feel people out to get a good sense about them. I think to myself, Who out of these women would I want to hang out with? Who would I want to try to arrange a play date with? Which considering my daughter is only 6 months is not really for her but for me, obviously. It comes as no surprise that being alone with an infant for 12 hours a day is a good recipe for going crazy. The conversation is sorely lacking.
So I start conversations with these women, usually starting with "How old is your baby?" Then, "What's his/her name?" Moving on to, "My name is..." And maybe, "Do you live around here?" It's funny because the people that I avoided in school are the people that I still shy away from. Now that I'm older, I realize that it's not because I don't like them but because our personalities just don't jive.
There are the loud and slightly obnoxious moms. I find that they tend to be really focused on their own baby and pretty much ignore anyone else.
There are the defensive and sort of cold moms. If you ask them anything about their babies, whether it be sleep, eating, teething, whatever, they respond defensively, like you're judging them. It almost feels like it's you against them, not that you're both moms just trying to make it through.
There are the paranoid and overly cautious moms. They're very nice people but you know if you invite them over they'll sit on your couch too afraid to move and they won't put their babies on the floor for fear of germs and sharp objects.
Oh, and there are the cliques, too. There are probably some great moms in the group, but either they know each other from outside the center or they've already found their mommy buddies and don't want to let anyone else in. It's awkward sitting with those moms!
Finally, there are the types of moms that attract me: they don't take themselves or their role as Mom too seriously. They have a good sense of humor. They actually listen when you speak. They are interested in your baby; they talk to her, ask questions about her.
I'd like to think I'm that kind of mom. But who knows. I might be pegged as something completely different, with traits I didn't even realize I had.