New to Mumsnet. So forgive me for the longwinded spiel and I will get the hang of the acronyms. Back in the UK after 10 years in Australia. Feeling miserable and alone in SW18.
I am not sure why I am penning this as I have sort of made friends with other mother?s through the local One O?Clock club. So I do have 3 other mother?s I do hang out with.
I just can?t understand why I feel so miserable and unhappy. I spent the morning crying on the kids. I miss my friends that I can unload on, or ring up and visit that day.
We moved here from Australia last July. I am glad to be back in England and I have missed England (obviously not the weather). It?s also good to see my family on a more regular basis (although they do live over an hour away). As I haven?t been back to the UK in 10years ? there has been a culture shock. Everything from the lack of facilities for people with children (no pram access in the majority of tube stations, the London buses which are just painful, no mother?s rooms in shopping malls etc etc ).
I have sold my soul to join baby and toddler groups and get adult interaction for me and children interaction for my 2 sons (just turned one and the other is 2 ½ ). I have found I have moved into an area where the mother?s seem to live on another planet to me. I have been going to one toddler group for 4 weeks and the only mother who spoke to me was also new to the toddler group. I have tried everything from arriving early to set up for the toddler group, washing up, cleaning up, serving tea and coffee, doing the craft ? NOTHING. I sat next to 5 yummy mummy?s while my kids played with their kids ? not one person spoke to me. The nannies who come to the toddler group have been welcoming which was good.
I lived in London when I was young free and single and I always had a good time ? I just cannot believe how hostile the place is when you are a SAHM.
I was going to pay through the nose and put my eldest in a day care nursery so he got some interaction on a daily basis ? but everyone is hung up on over-educating their child ? I really don?t expect my 2 year old to do yoga, French and art appreciation.
I am not sure what I was expecting but I thought if I could organise for a different playdate for my children everyday and actually physically leave the house it would be a start. Admittedly over the Summer I left the house and just took the kids to the local parks every day but with the cold weather I haven?t been doing that.
We don?t have a car so getting around is an absolute nightmare as we have to rely on public transport. I think this is one of my big issues as I do miss being able to take the kids to swimming and the beach and meeting people on a whim.
I am so miserable being at home that I am now looking at getting a job. I am sure my misery at being here is effecting my marriage ? my husband is a true Aussie Boy yet has fitted into London life so easily and cannot seem to get his head around why I am not happy.
I could go on, but I just needed to get this off my chest.
I have posted this on the Relationship site as well