By Natalie Hayden 
Tinder for mom friends. Oh, it’s a thing boys and girls. There is an app called “Peanut” that allows you to swipe up and wave to fellow mommas looking to find friendship. Sure, I have a great group of friends, but we’re all scattered across the country. I desperately want to meet a friend or two who lives close by, someone who I can call up for a quick play date or meet for coffee and drinks.
Recently, three of my college roommates came to visit. We all talked about how difficult it was to make new friendships with moms who share our parenting style and are actually people we want to spend time with.
One of my best friends is a triplet mom in Denver. Years ago, she met a mom named Miranda. Since then, they’ve become besties. I want my Miranda! It’s actually a joke in our circle. Everyone wants me to find my Miranda in St. Louis.
A couple weeks passed since their visit. Then, I received a group text from my friends about this new app. At first, I laughed. Then, I checked it out and was immediately drawn in. You simply upload a couple pictures, write a short bio, include the age of your child and select a few descriptors. For instance, I chose: Routine Queen; But First, Food; and Powered by Caffeine. Once this is all selected, an algorithm connects you to moms who are close in location, have similar interests and kids close in age.
Let’s face it, when you’re home with a baby, the outside world can feel a world away. It’s isolating at times when your only interactions are with little humans who don’t have the capability to respond back with words. You see moms as you run errands, you give each other that look of “I feel ya and I get it” and chances are, you go about your business without stopping to strike up a conversation.
When I met my husband on eHarmony nearly five years ago, I thought I was done with apps that connected me with complete strangers. But, Peanut is an amazing lifeline. Moments after signing up, you come across profiles of moms living nearby, anxious to improve their mom game and meet new friends, too. I find myself swiping down on moms whose initial profile photo is a duckface or Snapchat filter, but there are so many options—the world is really your oyster.
When you swipe up and wave, if the other mom does the same—it’s a match and you’re connected. It’s been almost 72 hours, I’ve waved at maybe 40 moms . . . and I just got a match! I’m going to chalk that up to the fact that we’re all running around like chickens with our heads cut off, trying to juggle the day to day and the holiday season.
So, ladies. Check it out. Peanut. No need to think about how nice it would be to have a mom friend in your neighborhood. Someone you can count on for a play date or some girl time. I’m hopeful I’ll soon meet my Miranda in 2018. Maybe you will, too!
by Kristyna Moore 
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by Olivia Oster 
