Experiment #3 – Pass out your digits! Modern military spouse have their own personal business cards and pass them out when they meet someone the want to stay in touch with. Printed on the card are the basics; name, cell phone and email. Sometimes they add the name of their children and their hobbies or small business interests as well.
Here’s a link to a Pinterest page with great ideas for cards.
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=personal%20business%20cards&rs=ac&len=14
For printing, use online places like www.vistaprint.com. They are reasonable and ship anywhere.
Experiment #4 – If you want to go to a party, throw one! A fellow spouse suggested hosting a “Take Out” party. Once you meet a few people in your neighborhood or through school, invite them over for dinner and ask them to bring their favorite “Take Out” food. Tell them to bring several menus to share. It’s a great way to taste the local cuisine and get to know your neighbors or new acquaintances.
Other seasoned spouses suggest asking people over to dinner or having play dates right away. The best way to open yourself up to friendships is to open your home. One spouse mentioned she would throw a “Grab Your Toes and Go!” party (pedicure night out) for a few people friends she met at the new church she attended.
I personally host a “Dirty Bunco” party to break the ice with new spouses. It can be a one time event or start of a Bunco group. Dirty Bunco is Bunco with a sexy flare. The prizes usually need batteries, it comes with a funny sex trivia game and the rules are changed so if you roll a 6 and 9 – its more points than a Bunco! I have people bring their favorite food passions – trust me, the food people have brought over would make a grown man blush. My “Dirty Bunco” definitely breaks the ice with lots of laughter and great memories to build on!
Start a Bunco group, start a Facebook group for military families in your neighbor, start a book club or a mom’s group. Don’t wait until you someone invites you or you stumble upon one. Make it happen for yourself and please don’t be disappointed if the turnout is low the first time. Keep going, there are new spouses just like you out there hoping SOMEONE will help connect him or her.
