Single mum

I'm a single mum on the outskirts of glasgow happy to meet up for a coffee. I am older than you though

🎉🎊🍾🥳
good luck!!

I think you are brave and I wish you all the luck in the world for this fresh start. You sound like a great mum doing what's best for your children. Keep us posted! 💖💖💖

How exciting PITH1, and so nice there are a couple of posters here who you might be able to meet up with.
When I moved to a new place far away from everyone I knew, I soon realised that the best mates were those in a similar position regarding family backup. It can be difficult to socialise with parents who can go out easily in the evenings as Granny/Auntie is always on hand to babysit. It was great to meet similar Mums without backup locally as we helped each other out with emergency childcare and socialised around the demands of our DC.

Where is the most deprived area West Dumbarton? The op might be housed in Helensburgh for all you know.

Hi OP. I moved to Glasgow from London 12 years ago. I did find it difficult mainly because I missed my family who are in London/south west. But people were friendly and very chatty.

We moved out 18 months ago and I'm probably about 15/20 mins from you in the car. I'm a fair bit older and my youngest is 11 but message me if want to meet for a coffee after you move.

Wishing you the best of luck, I'm from Scotland (Perthshire) and I'm always struck by how friendly and warm people are whenever I go further west - especially in Glasgow. You'll also be very close to some beautiful areas like the Trossachs, you don't really have to venture far out of the towns/cities here to find the most stunning landscapes (especially in the west of Scotland). Good luck with the move!

I say go for it. Ask the teachers who your kids make friends with and even better, if the teacher can assign a buddy to them. Then get inviting the kids and parents for days out together, play dates, etc. join the Parent Teachers Association. Get your oldest into any kind of kids clubs, church groups, cubs or brownies etc and make time for you to join a club too! I went to a dance class at the same school and same time as my 5 year old daughter did Tae Kwando down the hall in a small town we moved to. Small towns rock when you don’t know anybody. Talk to people and get involved in anything going on community related. Good luck.

When I had my DD, I found the Peanut app really helpful for finding friends, it matches you with other mums, a bit like Tinder (so I hear, I've never used Tinder).

Just don't swipe right on people as that "waves" at them - that's what I did to about 80 mums I thought I was just scrolling through 😂

Good luck and it sounds like a lovely new start!

Aww we live just outside of Glasgow & we love it. People are so friendly in Scotland I’m sure you &’the children will be warmly welcomed. There’s loads for children to do here xx

No advice but your bravery and positivity tells me that your children are so so lucky to have you as their mother, you sound absolutely amazing. Good luck on your next adventure xx

What a brave thing to do, I wish you every good that that could possibly come your way xx

If you’re moving to a town that starts with a W (not far outside of Glasgow!) I’ve just moved here too. Single mum, 3 kids and would love to make some friends up this way

Join the local library. It will be a good resource for clubs & things to attend.

OP I am Scottish, live just outside Glasgow, its hard to know without knowing exactly where you're moving to, but you'll find there are lots of opportunities to meet new people, most places have groups you can join, depending on what you like whether it be fitness, or just tea and coffee etc. Transport links around Glasgow are pretty good too!

God yes this! I'd read it.

Maybe you should approach the BBC for a documentary?!

This sounds like a fantastic move for you. I think you’re incredibly brave and wish you lots of luck. I haven’t been in the same situation but I do have children the same ages and I would hope it will be easy enough to make friends through school/nursery/other activities. Good luck!

Yes, me! I moved to Wales on my own with a then 4 year old, didn't know a soul, no family support, child's dad was an arsehole (not seen child now for 8 years), I did it all alone with my kid. Won't say I didn't have huge wobbles but its been the best thing I ever did for myself and my child. I got away from awful people, places, patterns, and looking back, abuse. Moving so far away gave me the space to find myself and build a whole new life. Wishing you all the best, you can do this!!💐

I’ve recently moved to Scotland from overseas. I love it here. The countryside is amazing. I’ve moved a lot in my life and have made some friends. I’m very lucky that I moved with my supportive partner. It’s tough at the start and you just have to take little steps. Once your kids are in school - find out if there is a WhatsApp group. I’ve found people really helpful on those. We have an excellent library near us where I take the kids at least once a week. I have found many more free classes ect on offer in the local leisure centre here than when I lived South of the border. But you have to sign up to things early. Drop in and find out what’s available. Glasgow is a fantastic city - lots of free things to do. I think your kids should get free bus services. Good luck!

Good luck OP, I moved to an unfamiliar city on my own when my eldest son was young prior to meeting and settling down with my now DH. I went for a career opportunity and have no regrets.
I made friends easily at work and my son made friends at school, joined a local football club and beavers etc.
We have subsequently moved all over the country after I met my husband due to his job prior to settling where we live now. It can take a long time for somewhere to feel like 'home' (took several years in fact) but fundamental to that was making friends with work colleagues and other parents and doing as much socialising as possible.

Hi OP, just to wish you all the best with your move! We moved to a new area during lockdowns and having kids was the best ice-breaker - we have lots of families we know from drop offs and play dates, it's great. We spent this NYE having a drunken dinner with a couple whose kid in the same class as our oldest one - crazy to make such good friends just through the kids getting on at school, but it's doable if you're friendly and lucky :)

I also agree with PP who suggested joining with the PTA stuff at school, they will love you if you lend a hand at the cake sale etc - easy way in!

For second hand school uniform, our school sells it very cheap through the PTA, we haven't paid full price for ages. I am a big fan of FB marketplace for kids clothes and shoes, plus sofas and bookcases etc; you might need someone to lend a hand unloading but you'll find treasures I'm sure.

How great to live close to a swimming pool too, your kids will be like little dolphins after a year! :) Wish you all the best x

You are very brave OP.

I can share my story with you. I lived with my daughters father and experienced horrendous domestic abuse, we got to a point where the local authority got involved and I had to flee there and then. I left our entire lives behind in the area we had known for several years, in addition it was an accelerated flee because the risk escalated which meant I had to leave all our belongings behind and start from scratch.

I relocated hundreds of miles away from him, but I was scared - really scared as I have no family support and my friends were in the area I originally grew up in, but in honesty - it was absolutely the best thing I could have ever done.

We're three years away from him now, my little girl is settled, we live in a lovely area in a lovely house which we have made as a home, we've made lots of friends, both her and me, and she starts primary education this year in a lovely school. I felt so frightened and isolated when we first moved here but honestly, I look back and only wish I had left sooner.

I can absolutely say with every fibre of my being that this will be the best new start for you as well as your children.

You will have some doubts when you first get there, that is natural and you will feel isolated at times, but as time goes on your children will make new friends and so will you and you will then realise this is the best thing you ever did.

Whilst I imagine some part of you wishes the children's father was involved and cared, him contesting this move would be a huge obstacle for you so please see this move as obstacle free and an incredible new start for you and your children.

xx

Well done you! Not sure if this has been suggested, but find your local library and see what activities they run there for kids. They are usually free, and it's a good way to meet other local families. You'll also find useful local information and most library staff will be happy to have a chat if you explain you've just moved to the area.

PS I wouldn't let on straight away that you don't know anyone at all nearby as this could make you vulnerable. Just be friendly but cautious.