To find it difficult to have friendships with other parents?

[Mrs23]

I attended a school sports match today and tried to make conversations with other parents. The problem is, I find it quite difficult! I try to keep it light hearted, “which one is your child?” etc but seem to find it difficult to keep the conversation going. Other parents seem to have built up quite nice friendships and I just feel like I’d like to have that. My kids have been at the school for a few years so it’s not like I’m new. Any thoughts?

The people who are friends probably have things in common, shared interests, etc. We are friends with a few parents from school. It’s because we know them outside of school. They’re neighbours, we do the same hobbies, similar careers, etc. It’s not easy to make more than small talk with random parents. And actually at a sports event, I just want to watch my kid. I don’t want to talk with strangers. It’s hard work and I’m tired. I think maybe just your expectations might be too high for this sort of thing. It’s not because you’re necessarily doing something wrong or they specifically don’t want to talk to you.

Do your dc have friends round? The parents I was closest to initially were dc’s friends because we always had to organise pickups and car sharing to parties and activities.

Hi, yes, my children have friends around and I know the parents well enough to have a conversation, organise pick ups or the occasional night out. Maybe I am expecting too much. Some of the parents of my older child meet up in pairs etc. but they do tend to gossip and I’m not really into that.