Growing up, my parents had a couple of child-free friends who were absolute gems. There was Lisa, a vibrant and hilarious woman who was close in age to my mom. She showered me with little gifts, like a pair of quirky earrings—one shaped like a cat and the other like a fish—that I wore until they tragically went missing during a move. Lisa adored my brother and me, and even after she got married and moved away, she would visit us. She never treated me as just a friend’s child; instead, she embraced me as my own unique person. To this day, she still sends me notes of encouragement and supports my kids’ school endeavors, reminding me that distance can’t dim her affection.
Then there was Sarah, who was a bit younger than my parents and an absolute diva. Back in the day, her only “child” was her beloved fluffy cat, Mr. Whiskers, but now she has a cute little dog named Coco. Sarah worked in entertainment and was always surrounded by famous people, effortlessly managing their chaos. I was in awe of her fabulous hair, which bounced with life—a stark contrast to my own fine locks. She would take me shopping for cool posters to decorate my room and let me borrow her makeup. Her enthusiastic “KATE!” whenever she saw me made me feel like the most special person in the world. Even though she didn’t have kids, she was there for my family during tough times, proving that she was just as invested in us as we were in her life.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself in the role of a mom with three kids creating their own memories. Luckily, I still have a group of amazing child-free friends who make my life so much richer. Here are just a few reasons why my friends without kids are the best!
1. They Help Me Chill Out
When I get overly stressed about parenting, my child-free pals often look at me like I’m speaking a different language. Their clear-headed perspective helps me see that my “big” problems are often not as monumental as they seem. They can provide that much-needed reality check, reminding me to breathe.
2. They Offer a Much-Needed Break
I don’t typically ask them to babysit because they value their freedom, but they genuinely love spending time with my kids. Just last week, one of my child-free friends enthusiastically played with my toddler during my son’s birthday party, letting me handle the party details without a hitch. My little one had a blast and was utterly exhausted afterward—thanks to her, I felt like a superhero mom for the day!
3. Going Out is a Blast
Going out with my child-free friends is also a blast. They remind me that, before I became a mom, I was simply me. Our conversations don’t revolve around school schedules or toddler tantrums; instead, we chat about everything else—books, movies, and life in general. They see me as Katie, not just as “Henry, Walker, and Amelia’s mom,” and that’s refreshing.
4. Not All Are Completely Without Kids
And let’s be real, not all of my child-free friends are completely without kids. I have a few friends who are a bit ahead of me in the parenting game—they have older teens or young adults. So while they’re technically parents, they don’t have the little ones, and they often enjoy reminiscing about those days with my toddlers.
When you become a parent, it’s easy to gravitate toward other parents, which is great. But don’t forget the value of maintaining connections with your child-free friends. They can offer a unique perspective and enrich your life—and your kids’ lives too!
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In summary, my child-free friends are invaluable in my life, providing support, perspective, and a reminder of the fun and freedom that exists beyond parenting. They enrich my world and my children’s lives in ways I never could have imagined.
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