What will I do when my NCT friends go back to work?

[fixxle]

I'm really sad that all our catch ups will fizzle our! What will I do with myself?

I have made other friends but they'll be going back in six months and I'll be alone. Really scared.

There are a wider variety of groups for slightly older children. Maybe you’ll find some other people who are similarly stuck.

Check out local toddler groups.

Make sure you stay in touch with the NCT gang - maybe arrange occasional Sunday brunch with all the kids, and a regular evening out for the adults.

Go to toddler groups and find other friends.

First time I didn't do nct and actually I made more friends and did more toddler groups, second time that man made group actually curtailed new friends going to places as tended to stay in the group.

Anyway lots of people will be like you.

Are any of them going back part time? You can meet up on their days off.

Get a job?

If they are going part time they might still be able to meet up on days off. My group is still going strong after 15 years, all but one of us went back to work but all part-time / flexible, we still manage a weekday coffee about once a month, a night out once in a while and chat on Whatsapp in between.

Keep in touch with them, see them on their days off, meet lots of new friends at toddler groups etc, see your other friends.

I didn’t do NCT first time round and moved area when DC was 7 weeks old so didn’t know anyone at all. You’ve just got to be tenacious (but not too OTT crazy desperate lady -ish) and approach people at baby groups and try and get them to come for a play date or whatever. Might be tricky as NCT groups tend to attend groups together and not talk to anyone else in my experience. It’s hard to penetrate the pre-formed friendships. You just have to keep being friendly and open and inviting people places. Have you not spoken to anyone outside your NCT group at any baby groups etc since having your baby?

I cried when my best friend started back at work before me - I was lonely and meeting with her was the best day of my week. so I totally sympathise - and I am a very sociable person with a lot of friends !

Presumably most of them are going back part time? you will find ways to meet.

In a couple of years you will have lots of other friends, just find some nice things to do like new baby groups or classes etc.

Also go back to work?

Go to toddler groups. Make friends with mums from nursery?

I was in this situation. All my NCT group went back to work, pretty much full-time and I was the only SAHM. I made new SAHM friends, took a few months to build the relationships and friendships, but have a lovely group of SAHM friends now

Why presumably part time ? Many , many women go back full time .
I’d have a look for groups or classes where you can take older babies / toddlers as the others have said. Sympathise that it’s the end of a nice phase for you. Some NCT / baby group people have great friendships for many many years , even if not the full group.

Go to work?

There are local SAHM mum groups locally on Facebook, might be worth a search.

I think a lot of people will be in your position, I think to just be going to groups each morning & activities

Definitely get a job.

I say presumably part time because I don't know any women who work full time - maybe one out of my sons entire class and he is in year 3. I have two kids and as far as I know the majority of mothers (and some fathers ) have at least a day off. Or work from home - and when the kids were babies it was even more common.

get a job?!!! How patronising. And I say that as a working parent.

Why are people telling me to get a job? I have a job - it's looking after my son!

Thanks to all the helpful comments though!

You don't say how old your son is unless I missed it . Do you have any indoor play areas , cafes with child / baby things , museums , parks , baby and toddler clubs where you live ?

Sorry I thought it was implied that NCT people are only just starting to go back to work. My son is nearly 10 months old.

And maybe I will 'get a job' when he's in nursery at around 2/2 and a half.

Keep messaging each other and meet up during their time off. I still see my NCT group frequently even now, years later.

Do you have other friends who are off work? If not, now is a good time to start chatting to them and trying to build some friendships.

Do you have a local fb page? You could ask there for group recommendations and go to a few now.

It is hard when you have a good network but you can still arrange occasional meet ups. I do with part time workers and sahm friends. Not with great frequency but we still touch base and watsapp. They've found new friends in the same situation by going to groups.

I go to loads of groups but because they are babies still, I make friends with mums who then disappear back to work!

I guess the trick is going to toddler groups where the mums there are presumably not going back to work yet