Invite someone dangerous out for tea
I was driving down the street yesterday when a neighborhood friend, Andrea, pulled out in front of me in her station wagon. I was only driving behind her for only a couple of blocks, but we rolled down our car windows to wave at each other and grin like goofballs at the simple coincidence of seeing each other on the road.
Andrea is one of the most thoughtful and inspiring women I’ve met, and though we’ve only hung out ten times or so over the past few years, some of the things she has said are the things that have stuck with me or changed my perspective in fantastic ways. Andrea was a rookie mom to baby Ben when she wrote this at her blog SuperheroJournal.com.
After my post about friendship, my friend Kalah shared something that I loved. She said,
“When you’re feeling most isolated, remember that you can always bring the party to YOU. Friends without children might not have an idea of your daily goings-on and may put off calling because they don’t want to be intrusive. Inviting them into your fold reassures them that you still appreciate their friendships and they feel like they’re saving you some time and energy when they make the effort to meet you where you are. It’s ok to let go of perfectionism when it comes to the state of your home when it comes to visitors–most people understand that you’re living the real, visceral life.”advertisement In the spirit of bringing the party to me and my favorite SARKism “Invite Someone Dangerous to Tea,” I decided to invite the owner of Speesees, Rachel Pearson for tea. (We had only “met” via email after I ordered some goodies) She is pure color, creativity, fun and talent. I was SO inspired by our conversations about business and dreams and love. She made my day and reminded me that one of my greatest pleasures is connecting with other creative women/kindred spirits/people I admire.
For a while, Andrea was maintaining a list of people she wanted to meet and challenged herself to reach out to them and invite them to meet.
Can you invite someone dangerous to tea this week? This is your 19th rookie mom challenge. Take a chance on a person you don’t know well. “Tea” is the perfect invitation for a mid-day meet up and can be at your breakfast table with tea and fruit or at a cafe where you don’t have to clean up anything.
Andrea Scher, co-creator of Mondo Beyondo (Google it!)
Tell us, who do you have in mind? A mom you’ve met a few times at yoga? Your old boss who you miss? A friend of your mom’s who always tells funny stories?
- Comment below and let us know your plans.
- Tag us on instagram or tweet at us with the hashtag #rookiemoms when you’re on your tea date.
- Share a picture with us on Facebook.
Need a different challenge? Here are 51 things to do with your baby!
Hi My name is Anita and I’m not a rookie mom, infact I am a rookie Grandma with two grand children whom I miss greatly in the UK and one grandson (a baby of 18 months) in Atlanta. Even though the one who lives in Atlanta is more available, it is just as hard to see him. The drive is over seven hours and the flight costs too much. Unfortunately we only get to see him a couple of times a year, but now we have another on the way so I will get to see him soon. I love your site its great. I too have a site
Mind-thebump, our products are maternity and baby clothes. Of course we include Dad. We have such names as Babu, Bumpbaies, Dueandsprout, Preggersnproud, TummyTs, Little Blue Dog, Little green radicals and baby Rock. Please visit us at www.mind-thebump.com
Oh my gosh! I clicked over to look at the jewelry and I am in love! I want them all. So gorgeous! Comment totally off tangent, but I needed to share my love!
I don’t think I’ve ever had tea that wasn’t iced. I may need to implement tea time in this house. It might just be the relaxing mid-day break I so desperately need.
Love this idea. Not just for moms. For everyone!
Truth be told there’s a mom I have a crush on in my Bar Method class. She’s one of those women who is pretty enough to pull off a pixie cut and run around with no make-up. But she’s definitely old enough to be my twin sister which means she’s probably lived a full life and has a achieved a state of “I’ll do what I want because who cares if I look like a jackass?” The only problem is we’ve chatted at the Bar for three years now and I don’t know her name! Hello, yes, we’ve discussed our brow lifts and our cesareans but what the hell is your name?
I want to be friends with Andrea – she looks like my type of gal 🙂
great idea.. I shall have to identify someone. I do have a friend who I should invite over more often as my leaving work and having a baby has definitely impacted our relationship. But she was barely available for dinners before my schedule was so ridiculously strict with naptimes.
I love this program to have Tea with Strangers — in case our own circles of extended friends aren’t dangerous enough! http://www.teawithstrangers.com/cities/SF