When my oldest son was born 13 years ago, it was heaven to be home with him for the first few months before I returned to work.  But while I felt competent at my paid job, I had no idea what to do with this uncooperative little fellow who refused to nap. I quickly made friends with a few other newbie moms and we shared advice daily.  To this day, these women are some of my dearest friends.

When my second son was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, I wanted the comfort of friends who had...