Amy has written this lovely Parent Panel post about how being a mother has brought wonderful friendship to her life.

Having children really does sort out who your very good friends are from those who are just in your facebook account.

I had my first daughter when I was 19, I had just finished college after 2 years of hard studying for my A levels. I did find college quite lonely as I lived a bit away from all my friends and my IT course took up so much of my time. My boyfriend was my main source of friendship and he of course became my husband.

Not a lot of my friends stayed in contact with me and when I bought my house and moved further away that was really the end of that. I moved into my house when I had around 6 weeks left until Jessica was born. I had only been in a few days, boxes were still everywhere and we were sitting on deck chairs as the sofa hadn’t arrived yet. There was a knock at the door and there stood was a lovely couple brandishing a house plant and a new home card. They were lovely and the women was pregnant too, in fact are due dates were only a few weeks apart. We hit it off and became good friends. We would spend many mornings and afternoon slumped on the sofa watching day time TV, drinking cups of tea and talking about our impending births.

From that day on we shared broken nights, teething, illness, milestones, accidents, achievements and happiness, everything that comes with being a mum. It was amazing to have someone there to talk to and to share our babies with.

I am still friends with this lady today, we have shared 7 children together and she attended the birth of my son in May this year. I never knew proper friendship until I became a mummy, there is something so wonderful about having someone in your life who you can call on for anything, whether it’s because you have run out of calpol or you need a comforting chat because the children have been a handful.

I have met most of my friends since I became a mum, there is no one else out there who understands what life is like. We all sport the same badges of honour, sick stained clothes, bags under our eyes, handbags full of nappies and wet wipes instead of makeup.

I love my mummy friends that I have made through baby groups, twitter and through blogging. My life would be very empty without them all and I want to thank each and every person who has listened to me throughout my 5 years of being a parent.

Friendship is one of life’s precious gifts which I have been lucky to receive, just like my 5 wonderful children who have made me who I am today.

Leave a comment for Amy below telling us why your mummy friends are so important to you.

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