Harder to make friends with 4+ kids?

[LawdAMercy]

We moved 2 years ago to a new town, we were/are renting and looking to buy when I unexpectedly got pregnant.

My 3 eldest are at school/nursery and the baby is now nearly 1 but I have found it hard to make friends.

It is a small rural school where parents drive to school so not much chance to get to know people that way. Plus we are renting a house that is too small for us, it’s always messy and most parents have just one kid so I can feel that we are a bit loud, chaotic, whatever for some people. Because the house is too small and rented I have felt unable to host play dates.

we will but soon and then I can be proactive in inviting people back but wondered if anyone had had similar? Feeling that a large family can hamper making friends as less chance to chat, with more kids to watch over?

My 4 children are very similar ages to yours and we moved to a small rural village about 2.5 years ago so my situation sounds very similar to yours. Making friends does take time. People here seem to hang around at the playground after school so I’ve met a few people that way. Perhaps make the most of the better weather to invite people back for garden play dates? Are there any baby/toddler groups you could go to whilst your older three are at school/nursery? I met a nice group at a buggy bootcamp locally.

I think it's a little much to expect people to host you and 4 children for play dates when you aren't happy to return the favour at the moment so that's probably the reason.

Arrange to meet people at the park. Then neither of you host, space for everyone and it’s easier to just say we will be at park at 4pm for example join if free.

If honest I did dodge big families mainly because I am from one and even if quite well behaved it’s just too noisy. None of my siblings or myself have had more than 2.

Yes I find the same. We have 5

@ScrewedByFunding Of course I don’t expect people to host my 4 kids, daft comment. But inviting one would be nice. My eldest went on a couple of play dates with new school friend but when I reciprocated eg. Offering to take them to the cinema they cancelled last minute, think the kid is anxious with new people

@Dairymilkisminging Sometimes I think I need to start a mum crowd for women with 4+!