Abstract
The purpose of this exploratory study was to construct a model of how mothers with young children give Meaning to their “mom friends” and examine what they meant to them by a semi structured interview 18
mothers with young children. In addition, we conducted a supplementally examination to determine whether
meaning to their mom friends differed between working and non-working mothers. The data obtained showed that the mothers viewed their mom friends positively and considered them to be “indispensable;” they gradually began to see them as simply friends rather than as other mothers. Simultaneously, the mothers seemed to be overly careful to not cause offense, because they feared losing these friendships. Analysis of the difference between working and non-working mothers revealed that working mothers appreciated the instrumental aspects of the friendships, such as being able to obtain practical help and useful information about child-rearing. In future,interviews same mothers need to be performed to investigate changes in the mothers’ meaning. Additionally, we needs to investigate “mom friends” to compared before COVID-19 calamity and after.
