Michele Borba, author of “No More Misbehavin' ” and “Don't Give Me That Attitude!,” is an educational psychologist and writes “Parenting Secrets” on iVillage.com. She says these common bonds can be a great way to create a momtourage:

Exercise groups: Put your toddler in a stroller and walk each morning with other women. Join a mother-daughter yoga class or have your girlfriend come over each day, pop in that “Buns of Steel” tape and go girl!

“Mommy and Me” group: Find one mom and plan little outings. It doesn't have to cost a dime and it's healthy company for you as well as your kids.

Book clubs: If you and your kids like to read, why not start a mother-daughter (or mother-son) book club? Instead of reading apart, you can enjoy the company of each other.

Mom chat groups: Online chat groups are so hot these days. Why not set up a time for a 20-minute chat with your girlfriends? You can stay connected without leaving your house.

Carpooling: Coordinating any carpooling saves you time and gas. Find just one mom who needs to drive her child somewhere on a regular basis. The kids do not have to be friends or even the same age. The only criterion is that everyone is going to a nearby area. Just add 10 minutes onto the car pool for the other mom to stop in for coffee.

Baby-sitting co-op: My sanity saver was a baby-sitting program with 10 moms. We watched each other's kids and kept track of our hours. The kids loved playing with their friends, and the mothers loved having the few hours to go shopping or out to lunch with a girlfriend, the gym or a date with their husband.

Nag partner: Need encouragement to lose weight, exercise more or eat healthier? Just ask a girlfriend to “gently” remind you of your intention by giving you a once-a-day call.

Meal planning: Plan weekly meals together, swap recipes or cook meals and freeze a few.

Mommy hobbies: Want to learn to knit, garden, paint, write, scrapbook? Join another mom and learn the craft together.

Coffee klatch: Going out to lunch may be tough, but why not rotate morning coffee at each other's homes? Each mom can even bring her own snack, coffee cup and kid.

Borba's bottom line: Don't lose sight of your own social needs. What your kids really need is a genuine, healthy and energized woman who enjoys not only her family, but also herself.

– JANE CLIFFORD