# Mum Friend Test: 8 Questions for Real School Friends

> 8 questions to spot if your school-gate friend is truly yours.
- Title: Mum Friend Test: 8 Questions for Real School Friends
- Summary: 8 questions to spot if your school-gate friend is truly yours. Parents can test if school-gate friendships last beyond daily routines using 8 questions about…
- Keywords: mum friend test, school gate, school friendships, parenting, school gate friendships, school gate test, school gate friend, school gate test questions, school gate test 8 questions, school gate test 8, Mum, Friend
- Source: MadeForMums — https://madeformums.com/features/the-mum-friend-test
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mum friend test, school gate, school friendships, parenting, school gate friendships, school gate test, school gate friend, school gate test questions, school gate test 8 questions, school gate test 8
## What is a school-gate friendship?
School-gate friendships can be a lifeline for parents who share forgotten PE kits, birthday-party politics and frantic WhatsApp messages.
## Why do school-gate friendships form?
Seeing the same people daily removes a major hurdle for adult friendships: finding time to connect.
## What does the 2021 YouGov study show?
Nearly 60% of UK adults have 10 or fewer friends, and 7% have no close friends at all.
## What is the Mum Friend Test?
The Mum Friend Test uses 8 questions to determine if school-gate friendships last beyond daily routines.
## Question 1: Would you see each other if children changed schools?
If your children changed schools tomorrow, would you still see each other?
## Question 2: Would she be first to know big news?
Would she be one of the first people you told your big news?
## Question 3: Have you spent time without children?
Have you ever spent time together without the children?
## Question 4: Do you make plans without reason?
Do you make plans when you don't already have a reason to be together?
## Question 5: Would you miss her if you stopped seeing her?
Would you genuinely miss her if you stopped seeing her every day?
## Question 6: Would you invite her into your social life?
Would you invite her into the rest of your social life?
## Question 7: Would you turn to her if struggling?
Would you turn to her if you were really struggling?
## Question 8: Would you stay friends if children stopped being friends?
If your children stopped being friends, would you stay friends?
## How to move beyond school gate?
Research shows moving from acquaintances to friendship takes 80 to 100 hours together.
## What happens next?
Parents can book a coffee or suggest simple plans to build genuine friendships beyond school routines.
## Key takeaway

Parents can test if school-gate friendships last beyond daily routines using 8 questions about shared life, not just proximity.