6 Friends Every Mom Needs

I just came across this article:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/09/18/p.six.friends.moms.need/index.html
And I loved it.
Here's an excerpt, that pretty much says it all:

No matter how old our kids are, we moms need our confidantes. These six are lifesavers -- but before you freak out, thinking, "I don't even have six friends," don't worry: One woman might fill several roles, making you one lucky gal.

The mom in the same boat
Why you need her: She gets it.
How to keep her: Whether the two of you are stay-at-home moms, working moms, or single moms, try to get some one-on-one time without the kids -- and make it fun, says Amy Kovarick, coauthor of "Baby on Board: Becoming a Mother Without Losing Yourself" and a mom of four.
Yes, you're busy with work, the kids, errands, the house, and other craziness, but the more time away from Chuck E. Cheese, the better. Make a date: You both deserve it -- and probably for the exact same reasons!

The no-kids pal
Why you need her: For adult conversation -- and so you can act like you're still cool.
"Mother is my favorite role, but not my only one," says Mary Moore of Austin, Texas, a stay-at-home mom and an author. "It's so hard to get together with other moms because someone's kid always has to nap or go to school or has some other commitment, and we can never easily agree on a time or place to meet," she says. "With my friends who don't have kids yet, that's not an issue."
How to keep her: Put aside all the mommy stuff for an hour or two. Take time to find out what's new with her, and be honest with yourself about her reaction to your kid talk. She may eat up your cute stories -- or she may not be so fascinated by the embarrassing thing your 4-year-old said.

The been-there, done-that mom
Why you need her: She gets you through your "I don't know what I'm supposed to do next" moments.
For Jen Matlack of Bethel, Connecticut, mom of 3-year-old Mae, this friend is Janet, whose kids are 22 and 20.
"If I have any concerns -- Mae not napping, Mae constipated, Mae not having playdates, or maybe my own parenting worries -- I always check in with Janet. She has offered me a lot of reassuring guidance," says Matlack. "And even though she's my older, wiser parenting friend, she's also a kid at heart, just like me, so when I'm around her, I get the best of both worlds: wisdom but also a wild side."
How to keep her: The good news is that she probably loves giving advice as much as you love getting it.
"Motherhood can seem like a thankless job, so it's great to be recognized and be able to share what you've learned," says Kovarick.
If you've asked for help, try to remember to call and tell her how well her ideas worked out. And even though you may not know yet what it's like to be in her shoes, you can still be a sounding board for her older-kid problems.

The I'll-do-anything-for-you buddy
Why you need her: She'll help you with your garage sale, drive the kids to soccer, and bring over lasagna when you're dealing with a crisis.
How to keep her: Friendships don't come with vows, like marriages do, says Marla Paul, author of "The Friendship Crisis." It helps to remind your friends that you care.
"So many friendships fall apart because one friend feels neglected," says Paul.
So return the favor. Maybe you don't have the time to drop everything, as she always seems to, but make an effort. When she's going through a tough time (or even having a tough week), instead of cooking the family a homemade meal, as she might, drop off a pizza or a gift certificate for her favorite Chinese takeout.

The slightly glam girlfriend
Why you need her: For inspiration (it is possible to be a fashionable mom), advice (how does she get out the door looking so great?), and a wardrobe you can borrow.
How to keep her: You admire your friend's got-it-togetherness, so tell her, says Kovarick. She surely works hard at it and will appreciate the compliment. Watch out for your own jealousy or embarrassment, though.
Most of us feel that way sometimes, but if she's a real friend, she's not trying to make you feel bad about your relative lack of style or organization. She likes you for you -- though if you're still wearing mom jeans, maybe she can help you trade up.

The brutally honest pal
Why you need her: We all need to hear the truth sometimes. It can sting, true, even if you asked for your friend's opinion. But if she cares enough to tell you not just what you want to hear, then she's a keeper.
For many women, sisters play this role; for others, it's a longtime friend, or a particularly outspoken newer one. The trick is distinguishing between someone who's just bossy and someone who actually puts thought about you into her opinions. You'll know the difference (one clue: If she only ever criticizes your choices, she's not helping).
How to keep her: It may take a day or two for you to digest what she's told you, but once you have done so, call your friend and thank her for being honest -- even if you don't agree, says Kovarick.

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They really hit all the marks with the different types of support we moms need.
I really enjoyed profiling my friends to see which supporting role(s) they fit into. Interesting how a really good friend can easily fulfill several needs.
This article also made me wonder what kind of friend I was.
Good food for thought.
Hope this helps.