I’m a cub scout mom, but maybe not for the reasons you think. Part of what I most enjoy about my son being a cub scout is that I get to hang out with other moms once a week. Struggling to find mom friends with kids of the same age and interest? Join a pack! Instant friends. I can honestly say if my son lost interest in scouts, I’d probably still make him go just so I could see my girls; but let’s hope it never comes to that.
I noted in my last post that scouting isn’t a “drop off” kind of activity. Parents are expected to stick around during the meeting (ours are an hour long, once a week). While the den leaders are directing activities, the moms are chatting. Chatting about life, work, men, and – of course – our boys. We swap medical advice, work/life balance strategies, and the week’s highs and lows. Because the kids in a pack will usually come from various elementary and/or home schools, we get to compare notes on curriculum, rules, and overall educational experience. While the little dudes are making crafts, learning to read a map or playing a life-size game of Hungry, Hungry Hippos (pure awesomeness), you put down your phone and get to know your neighbor.
Week 1 = strangers.
Week 2 = familiar faces.
Week 3 = “It’s been a long week! I’m glad I have time to tell you what happened, I need your advice.”
Everyone benefits from scouting in a different way:
- Pack dads are actively parenting all the kiddos, teaching them to fish, to show respect, to follow the rules, or to whittle a stick (yes, they still do this). Single moms, this is a great opportunity for your son to spend safe time with upstanding, responsible men.
- Mommas of socially isolated boys will enjoy the opportunity your scout has to make friends, too. Dens are small and grouped by age. Nobody is left out; it just can’t happen in a well-run pack. If you are thinking that your boy is too quiet, too small, too smart, too weird, too fidgety, too anything – you’re wrong. Just show up to a pack meeting. You’ll see.
- Have a little man who seems to rarely get jazzed about anything other than Minecraft? If your mini-me is reluctant to go because they think nothing will interest them, borrow a handbook from a friend or a local pack. (Makes me think of Beetlejuice to talk about “the handbook”.) This book has a myriad of age-specific activities that will lead to applicable pins, patches and loops. Find a random sample of items here. You will find something in that book that interests your kid. Use it unashamedly as bait to get them to their first meeting.
I remember all too clearly the days of strolling the mall or trolling park benches, trying to make mom friends. I was lousy at it. Motherhood can be lonely, can I get an amen? Don’t discount the perks you will see when your son tries scouting. Sign up for the next recruiting event you hear about at school, or click here to get connected with a local pack. Chances are good you can show up for your first meeting in less than a week. You need friends too, Mom! Make it happen!
Author’s note: This series of articles began as a “sponsored post”, in partnership with our local Boy Scouts organization, with my son benefitting from a week of day camp in exchange for me sharing our great scouting experience. As luck would have it, he got sick and couldn’t enjoy his complimentary week; but since I do love scouting so much, I still wanted to share my candid opinions. I’m not selling you on scouting. I’m sold and just sharing the love.
