The birth of a child is one of life's miracles, but let's face it, becoming a parent can hinder your social life. Once you take on the responsibility of becoming a parent finding a quiet moment for yourself can seem like an impossibility, let alone finding time for an evening out with friends. Especially if those friends aren't parents themselves. With these tips, you can not only enjoy your life as a parent, but you can also find time to maintain your friendships with those who don't have children.

• Invite friends over: As a parent with young children, or especially a new parent you may not always have time to go out for an evening, or you may not feel comfortable hiring a babysitter. So, invite your friends to your place. Your friend can help you make dinner, and can also act as an extra set of eyes and hands to help you care for your child. Your friend will enjoy the intimate time that he/she gets to spend with your family. Besides, babies and young children often go to bed fairly early which leaves time for a movie, or a game of cards.
  
• Touch base: Sure, since becoming a parent you may not stay up all night talking on the phone or IM-ing your BFF, but you can still keep in touch. Make time for a 20 minute convo once a week, or exchange e-mails instead of lengthy IM sessions.
  
• Children can't be the only convo topic: No matter how steadfast the friendship nothing will start to wear away the relationship like constantly talking about your children. Stories of baby poop, bath time, and skinned knees are only interesting the first few hundred times. Becoming a parent doesn't mean that all other aspects of your life and/or personality have cease.

As an additional note, if your friends are truly friends then the task of maintaining friendships shouldn't be a difficult one. Even though you may now have a baby attached to your hip instead of your BFF, true friends will share life's experiences with you and be apart of the journey.