Tell Fairy Non Bio about how you and your DC make friends - win a £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[JustineBMumsnet]

As part of our partnership with Fairy Non Bio, we’ve produced the Mumsnet Babies Podcast. There are ten episodes in the series and episode 7, which you can listen to here, is about making friends and being nice. When you get the chance, Fairy Non Bio would like you to listen to the podcast and share your thoughts - not just about the new friends you’ve made since having a baby, but also about how your baby socialises with other children.

Whether you go to parenting groups and classes in your spare time or not, making friends as a new mother isn’t always easy. Have you felt like it can be isolating, and that you have nothing in common with the other mothers in your area (apart from the presence of your tiny children)? Or perhaps you’ve found that parenting can be a reason to bond with other people, even if it’s just a case of having someone to grumble with about sleepless nights and dirty nappies? And of course it would be negligent to forget to mention Mumsnet as a platform on which mums can socialise and make new friends!

And then, as your baby gets older, their social life may become the minefield you need to navigate. Have you been mystified by your little one's’ ability to make best friends with complete strangers in the playground? Perhaps you’ve struggled to deal with getting them to share nicely with other children?

Whatever your experiences of friendship during early motherhood, post on the thread below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

If you’d like to rate the Mumsnet Babies Podcast, please go to the iTunes store and leave a review.

Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[CMOTDibbler]

I think it can be really hard making friends when you have small children, especially if you work - opportunities to make friends at groups is very limited, and your childs friends from nursery have parents who are equally harassed.

[foxessocks]

I've made some good friends at baby group but really had to force myself to not only talk to people to start with but to suggest meeting up for coffee, park, etc , taking that first step is hard if you aren't naturally outgoing but once you've done that it gets easier.

[CheeseAtFourpence]

I found it very difficult to make friends as a new mum. I found that many mums seemed to know each other through antenatal and baby groups. Adopting a child meant I hadn't got those links. Thankfully our local library and surestart centre gave me the opportunity to meet mums and I made a few very good friends.

DD just talks to anyone - her recent report talks about her "strong group of friends". I have no doubt this is true. She just gets one with everyone. It comes easily to her.

[wrigglingtoes]

I was lucky enough to meet a mum on an app for new mums, she had a baby a few months older than my newborn and also a child in my older dcs school. I also met another local mum on this app and now we meet up regularly at parks and baby groups. I think apps like this are really helpful as there wasn't anything like this when I had my older dcs and I struggled to meet people.

[purplepandas]

I struggled with this due to a v difficult startstarr so usual baby groups were out and nct did not work out. In all honesty I made friends with those in my unique situation rather than my local parents initially.

[Falconhoof1]

I've always find it difficult to make new friends. At baby groups I always concentrated on my DC and avoided making conversation, not because I was unfriendly but I'm quite shy and assume everyone else already has enough friends. I love how children can make friends so easily and suddenly they're playing with someone new at softplay or the park. I try and make my DC understand that they have to take turns, whether that be with a toy or with whatever imaginary play the other children want to do.

[asuwere]

I've met lots of acquaintances through having DC but not necessarily friends - haven't really tried though. DD2 finds friends wherever we go - she speaks to anyone around her age and suddenly has a new best friend, she is VERY sociable, just not sure where she gets it from but it's great :)

[voyager50]

I made one very good friend from a baby story group at the local library - we still see each other regularly and the boys are still friends too - I guess we were really lucky as some mums find it more difficult in the early days.

[WhosTakingDeHorseToFrance]

Met two of my closest friends at a toddler group. And have met a huge amount of friends st my sons school. I think you actually need to make yourself be sociable for some this is harder than others. I found it difficult at first but kept forcing myself to try new things for my kids sake.

[NerrSnerr]

I made some great friends. I moved to the area when pregnant with my first so I made a huge effort to go to local village groups. We have a lovely friendship group, all with 2 or 3 children locally.

[Alexandra87]

I didn't really make friends when the dc were younger but since they've gone to school you get chatting with other parents in the playgrounds and although I wouldn't say they were friends we sometimes sit and have a cuppa and a chat after school run.

[CopperPan]

I'm not very outgoing but I've found that it's good to get involved with any activity regularly, then after a while people recognise you and chat to you. Often the friendships can be a bit superficial but they're really just to keep on friendly terms with the parents of the children your dc might be playing with.

[claugirl77]

I have 2 boys and at the time my first son was born our Childrens centre was doing lots of free baby groups, baby massage, swimming etc. I was lucky in that I met quite a few people there who I have stayed friends with as my child has gone to the same school as many of their children!

Unfortunately there have been lots of cuts to the service now and there isnt the level of support there once was. I feel with my second child that things were easier as I knew which groups I could go to as I had visited the local toddler groups with my first. I now help in one of the groups and always try to be welcoming to new people as I know how scary it can be walking into a group where you dont know anyone. My youngest starts school nursery in September! Time just flies 😀

[compy99]

usually starts off my just the casual "morning" etc and take it from there. children much more happy to just dive in and make friends.

[katastrophy13]

Once you've got passed the fear of rejection it's a lot easier. I've asked people out for coffee and they've turned me down, but by far the majority have been genuinely grateful and I've made some wonderful friends. If someone says no, don't take it personally, it's much more likely to be about them than you.

[IonaAilidh11]

when i moved house i didnt know anyone, had a toddler and newborn, found out about a toddler playgroup and even though i am quite shy i went along, so glad i did, made some great friends and my children got so much out of it

[glenka]

We usually try and find lots of different groups in the area and see who we can meet.

[vonniebab2]

Making friends at local groups, swimming clubs and even outside the school gates

[mo3733]

i moved when my children with very young so joining the local groups really helped me make friends, some of whom i have had for many many years now

[southernsun]

Our DS made friends at groups and pre-school and he still has the same group of friends at primary school, through that we have become friends with their parents and see some of them more often than our long term friends

[janeyf1]

Fortunately my girl isn't shy and mixes easily. I meet new friends and parents through the children's get togethers.

[ThemisA]

Nct when really little, dog walking, play group, the park etc. In some areas I have made friends easily and in other areas everyone has family and childhood friends already so it is hard to break in.

[jacqui5366]

Being able to socialise, be kind and have friends is a life long gift, and a life long ability. I joined our toddler group, and when my DC had a special friend we went out for play dates to soft play areas, and invited a couple more mums so we could chat and watch the boys play. I try to instil good manners, taking turns and sharing toys. A child with a friend is a happy child.

[Jade5093]

My daughter's a chatter box and doesn't find it hard. I sometimes give a little encouragement but don't want to be too pushy x