The past weekend is what I’d describe as ‘refreshing’. We visited two families on Saturday, first is my batch mate at St. Paul’s Manila and second is R’s batch mate in UP Diliman.

Both couples have kids and we got the chance to exchange notes and stories about our lives here. It is true that when you are far from family, you sort of “cling” to the people who can play the part of a support group. They are just like that to me, my support group or an alternate-family.

For a first-time mom like me, I rely more on first-hand experiences of other moms rather than what I read from the supposed “experts”. My friends just don’t know it but they boost my confidence on the area of parenting right when I need it most.

Then on Sunday, while “trapped” inside the crying room at the church with Amelie, I was able to chat with another mom, B. I think it was a blessing (not just a coincidence) that we got the room to ourselves and our kids (the other kids are in Sunday school) and we were able talk more and in depth. We shared about our parenting styles, being stay at home moms and plans to meet up with the other ladies in church for some me-time. I was pleasantly surprised to know that we share a lot of things in common!

I really felt good after our chat. I miss my close friends in Singapore and Manila and now God has paved the way for me to form and nurture friendships here. I hope in time I’d feel more ‘at home’ and less ‘on my own’ with the help of my close girl friends here.

Written by marikit.