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Between work, school schedules, and family commitments, many parents find themselves putting friendships on hold. But mental health experts say staying connected with friends isn’t just good for your social life — it’s vital for your wellbeing.

Joanne Grant, Chief Growth Officer at Sweetser Behavioral Health, joins Adrienne Stein to talk about how adult friendships evolve through different stages of parenting — from sleepless nights with newborns to the empty nest years. She says maintaining friendships helps reduce stress, combat isolation, and even improve parenting outcomes. Grant also talks about some of the challenges parents face when it comes to finding friends after their kids are all grown up and suddenly, they’re trying to figure out who they are and what they like.

For many adults, building new friendships can feel daunting. Grant recommends starting small — a quick text, a walk, or joining a local group centered around a shared hobby. Grant also points to social connection as a protective factor against anxiety and depression.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

44:T43e,How many times as a parent or caregiver have you stressed out not knowing how to handle a situation? (Ran out of fingers and toes to count here!) Questions about curfews, social media rules, whether we are being too strict or not strict enough, or even dealing with a toddler meltdown can make us worry if we're doing or saying the right things. The reality is even the moms, dads, caregivers who look like they have it figured out really don’t. There is so much self-doubt that comes with being a parent. We don’t get a ‘How To’ guide after all. Each week on Raising Me, Emmy-award winning journalist and mom of 3 Adrienne Stein will talk with the experts about what we’re all navigating with our children. Things like dealing with bullies, fear around school threats, figuring out how and when to effectively discipline, and how to talk with our kids about money, especially when difficult choices need to be made. We'll

Finding Your People: Why Adult Friendships Matter