To feel bored and lonely as a SAHM?

[WhyamIBoredathome]

I stopped working after my second was born, I wanted to go part time but couldn't make it work with my job so decided to leave and spend some time with my kids while they are little - they are now 18 months and 3.
I love my kids and I don't want to sound ungrateful at all because I know I'm extremely lucky being able to spend this time with them where others would not have this luxury.
However, if I am brutally honest with myself, I find being a sahm pretty boring a lot of the time. There's only so much lego/dinosaurs /tea parties I can play in a day. And now I feel guilty for feeling like this. I feel like I need some sort of mental stimulation, which playdoh is just not providing me with.
I also feel lonely -we moved to a new area recently and so most days I have no adult conversation until OH gets home at 6.30pm but he usually has to work in the evening so Many nights he's in the study working while I'm alone. I haven't been able to meet people at toddler groups recently as my eldest has outgrown all the stuff in our area so I had to stop going until he starts preschool next week. Other mums seem to arrive at the park together in groups ( I guss maybe NCT/antenatal) and clearly know each other so I don't feel like I can just start chatting to them.
I've started hobby one evening a week FYI, but have only been to a couple of sessions so far so not got to know anyone properly yet.

Does anyone else feel like this about being a sahm? Am I am awful person for feeling like this? I do want to be at home with my kids and I love watching them grow up but I just feel like my brain needs something to do. should I just take up a daily crossword or sudoku?

Our pool isn't standing either. I can stand in the shallow end but the children can't. But with armbands it doesn't matter if they can stand or not. My daughter has swimming lessons (with and without armbands) in the deep end!

Does your 3yo get 15 hrs free nursery?

Could you work part time and put kids in private nursey a couple of days a week?

Going back to work part time saved my sanity. Conversations with other adults, social interaction, using my brain for what i'm trained for etc.
Just being able to have my mind and body to myself for a while made it as though the days I worked were more like days off and made the rest of the week less grounghog day.

Have you tried signing up to Mummy Social or Mush?

I hated being a SAHM at first but now have a good little network of friends through these

Lottieskeeper I am on mush but it seems
Like there are lots of inactive profiles, like people sign up to see what it's about and never go back. I've never heard of mummy
Social, I will check that out.

I felt the same op so I tried really hard to change that.
I met people from netmums meet a mum board in our local area.
I joined some groups on meetup.
I made friends by chatting to mum's in the playground.

Also, for the mental stimulation, I have the radio on in the background when I'm at home with the kids.
I joined a book group so I'd get some reading done (there is a mumsnet one too, I think)
I used my Tesco club card vouchers to subscribe to national geographic.
I listen to podcasts and audiobooks when I'm doing boring chores.
I drag my kids to places that I want to go to.

I'm not surprised you feel lonely if your husband is at work all day and then is busy all evening?
I think your older one stays preschool then you will find it much easier.

I have a hobb/work that I do from home and this keeps me motivated during the day, my 2.5yr has a two hour nap so I get plenty of time for it.

Don't feel like you have to be doing totally child orientated activities all day everyday, that way madness lies ! Have something in it for you

Starts preschool
Hobby/work

Hear hear for dragging your kids places you want to go ! I plan on doing that next week, I want to go to and art gallery

Maybe there are some Mumsnetters nearby?Roughly where are you?
Easier to meet when theres a group of you waiting at school or nursery gate NCT groups?you dont always have to join,just been out with a friend I made there over 30 years ago
and yes I do think you have to be a bit pushy to find people,volunteer to make tea at toddler group or something

It's pretty boring, many people feel like you. I've just gone back to work 3 days a week after just over 2 years at home following the birth of DC2. Some days I would cry with boredom and frustration and 10 minutes later would be filled with joy about something cute they had done! It is boring though, and really repetitive - you need as many friends as you can make- just coffee and play date ones are fine they don't have to be your bestie just other adults!
Then If it works for you go.m back to work part time! It's saved my sanity