Feeling lonely as a single mum

[buBbletea3]

Life is getting on top of me again. Especially with the thought of Christmas creeping up it reminds me that it’s all on me.

Im starting to feel so lonely. It’s extremely hard to make new friends as I’m not really able to socialise. Most my week while my child is in school I’m alone. I work from home as the office is 2 hours from me and once I’ve done the school run dinner etc I’m back to being on my own. Even physical touch I would love a massive cuddle and to feel cared for.

does anyone else feel like this or have advice ?

I am on the opposite end OP where I would love to be alone for a while! But I understand what you’re saying. Are you open to dating? A few of my friends tried speed dating nights in our local pub and actually quite enjoyed it. In terms of friendship groups I would say maybe join the WhatsApp mum group at school? Book club at the local library is always nice. I sometimes (once in a blue moon) take my children to volunteer at the stables and it’s always lovely! Granted you might be shattered with work and school stuff though. Good luck!

Do they spend any time with their other parent? If not maybe buddy up with another single mum as some support?

LO dad is very unreliable that I don’t bother anymore. I do have two mum friends but trying to meet up is so difficult. So I’ve also just stopped trying.

I joined a church for community and they have groups for people to connect but they are all after 7. I think that’s also another reason I’m feeling a bit down as it’s another reminder that I cant socialise with people. I’ve asked my child’s dad and he lets me down everytime

I think one of the (many) hard things about your situation is that you have to do most of the work in terms of organising which can be tiring. Firstly can you invite both mums and their kids over - that way you can chat/socialise and the kids can play. Is your LO old enough for sleepovers yet? If you have a friend over for a sleepover you might then be reciprocated. Can you ask other parents of LO’s friends to take your child? We occasionally need to ask this of others and they occasionally ask it of us - it is never a problem but I realise it depends a bit of the age of your child - if they are Reception/year 1 you may need to focus on socialising together

I would change jobs to do something where you work in an office or meet clients, preferably close to where you live if you can. It really does help you have your fill of socialising and you might end up with good friends who were work colleagues. Depending on when you finish work, you might have time for a quick drink with colleagues if your child is in after school club.

WFH can be really isolating, but I totally get that it works for the school run etc.

Yeah I get it.

I am feeling down as there’s an autumn wreath making thing on this afternoon I’d have loved to go along to but can’t. Stupid really but there’s so many little things like this I can’t do!