MOMTOURAGE?????

This is a term I heard today on the Today Show 3 I think it was. I was standing in my giant apartment bathroom, trying not to hit my elbow on the wall behind me as I put a tad of make up on and I overheard Kathy Lee say something about being a lonely mom. Caught my ear.

Being away from all my close friends these days has made me a "lonely mom", I would honestly have to say.

Anyway, the story went on to talk about how women today are lonelier than ever, whether a single mom, a stay home mom or a career mom, we are lonely. Go figure.

Many of us stopped working for that very reason, to stay home, not to be lonely. So we can embrace our children in their prime years of development and help them make good choices and to watch them grow, instead of hearing about their growth from their teachers at the twice a year school conference.

But I agree, we are lonely. We struggle to find our true identity....the one that does not involve carpool or laundry or a grocery list. Many of us (especially the over 40 ones) have taken to the GYM for our outlet. We find friends in a Yoga or Spin class that we look forward to seeing each week. We help motivate each other to be there again because the other may ask....where were you???

Some of us find the library a great quiet place to explore....I am always telling my kids that "books are the window to the world" and I find it true for myself. Whether a good juicy love story or a scary as hell stay up sleepless mystery or a just plain book that keeps you enough to finish it, I find reading is a great way to find happy moments.

Some have other hobbies, cooking classes, knitting groups, book groups, bible studies, charity work. All are good (I am looking for all those, except the knitting one) These help give us happy moments in our days, weeks or even once or twice a month.

So, what is my point to all this.....well, I am lonely. Many of you are too. In the piece today on the TODAY SHOW, it shared ways for us to go beyond our loneliness and find happiness. Find a good friend to visit with either in person or even online. Find a group to hold a gathering with on occasion. But let us not be lonely. We don't have time for something else to worry about, let just have time to find a friend, activity or something to help us out of our slumps.

I am all in, I will be looking, you should too!