The Ergo Pick-Up

After having a baby, it can be really tough to meet other moms. I remember walking around Target, my baby strapped snugly into my Ergo– and it was a great conversation starter.

I’d be chuggin’ through the store and spot another mom. She’d look nice enough. Longing for some adult conversation, I would slowly pass and eye her matching carrier.

“Nice Ergo!” I’d begin.

Her face would light up. Let’s be honest– we’re all in the same boat as new mothers– our babies are precious little beings that require all of our time and attention. But there’s only so much wiping of perfect tushes you can do without going bat-shit crazy. You need some adult conversation and it can be hard to find.

The Ergo is a great conversation piece, as almost every mom has one, and once you Ergo you never go back.

“This is best purchase I’ve ever made!” I would inevitably gush.

The two of us, hair disheveled and yearning for company, would discuss the ins and out of ultimate baby carrying. But at some point the conversation lulls. You both want to take it further– a cup of coffee perhaps? Maybe a quick trip to the mall? But as a grown, married woman, my skills at asking out strangers on dates is lacking.

Is it presumptuous to ask her number? What if she says no? What if she never responds? What if she gives me a fake number?

I had to get to the point where rejection seemed worth the possibility of someone who could relate to me. Finding someone who can relate to night wakings, breastfeeding and projectile diarrhea is a light in the dark .

And I did. Not every Target run-in was a winner, but putting yourself out there is the only way to make friends as a stay-at-home mom. I eventually got desperate enough that I turned to the internet and tried joining a Meetup, but that is a tale for another day .