The Follow-Up: Making Mom Friends is Hard

Friendships after motherhood can feel complicated. Before kids, hanging out with friends might have been as easy as grabbing brunch or planning a last-minute outing. But now? Time, energy, and support look very different.

In this Follow Up episode, Dr. Mona revisits her conversation with relational health educator Danielle Bayard Jackson, author of Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women’s Relationships. Together, they break down why building and maintaining friendships as a mom feels harder—and how to approach it with more grace and intention.

Listen to the full episode.

You’ll hear about:

• The three biggest reasons friendships fade after kids: lack of time, lack of practice, and lack of support

• Why connection (even small, everyday moments) matters just as much as long-standing friendships

• How to reframe expectations around old friendships that have shifted

• Practical steps to nurture the friendships you want, from “autopilot” routines to finding weak ties that still bring value

• The importance of reciprocity and how to express your needs without guilt

  
  

  Our podcasts are also now on YouTube. If you prefer a video podcast with closed captioning, check us out there and ⁠subscribe to PedsDocTalk⁠.

  Get trusted pediatric advice, relatable parenting insights, and evidence-based tips delivered straight to your inbox—join thousands of parents who rely on the PDT newsletter to stay informed, supported, and confident. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠!

  Shop Dr. Mona's favorite products: ⁠https://shopmy.us/shop/pedsdoctalk⁠ (paid link)

  And don’t forget to follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pedsdoctalkpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram—our new space just for parents looking for real talk and real support.

  We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on the ⁠PedsDocTalk Podcast Sponsorships⁠ page of the website. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices