Whole world out there and just stuck inside

[ScrambedEggAndToast]

Just feel like having a moan really

I'm a single mum to a 12 year old boy. I don't know many people in the city where I live. Basically just my mum and my best friend and her partner but my best mate has just had a baby so is understandably very busy so we aren't seeing as much of each other at the moment.

I just got back from a trip to Aldi and walked past all the families, people walking to the city stadium (it's match day), people enjoying lunch or a pint outside the pub and chatting to friends. It just makes me feel sad. Because I only have my mum for babysitting (DS's dad just isn't interested) I don't get to go out loads. There's a whole world out there and it's just passing me by

He's 12! Take him with you! Museums, the stadium, geocaching, at 12 he is a companion. Sorry you're feeling rubbish though.

We do go places, just feeling a bit sorry for myself

I mean, just on Thursday we went out for a meal and last weekend we were at the aquarium. I think it's the whole mum/dad 2.4 kids thing I want.

Must stop feeling sorry for myself and appreciate what I have.

I know where you are coming from OP. I never get to go out without DS and feel like life is passing me by and i feel a bit trapped. DS has a disability so its not always easy to find someone to look after him. DM works full time and i don't like to ask her give up her weekend to look after DS. We are moving near a large city next year so i'm hoping that i will be able to get out then. I have looked at the online babysitting websites but there aren't many in my area, hopefully there will be more options when we move.
Would babysitters be an option for you?

I work full time so to be honest, I would feel mean getting a babysitter in for DS. I love spending time with him but it's a catch 22 situation. I would love some time "for me" but I get so little free time that I want to enjoy DS while he's still young so we end up spending all our time together. Nature of being a single parent.

Not that I expect you to feel much better but those families you see are mostly dealing with their own crap. I was out today with my kids and my husband who is their step dad. I was longing to be one of the families who was "together" but from the outside we looked like that
You and your son have something every special and most people are dealing with their own problems. I totally understand how it feels wanting to be the 2.4 but less and less people actually are that. Enjoy what you have

have you thought about going down to an exercise class or something. it will only be an hour out the house but make you feel like there is something for you.

My DS is 8 and I am aware while he still needs an adult supervising him he is also spending more time away from me at clubs etc so I am starting to think about what I want to do.

Meetup.com is really good for making new friends - with and without your DS

If I'm looking after the kids and fancy a drink down the pub I take them. I'm not talking about getting hammered or staying out late, but an afternoons drink whilst the kids play in the beer garden is a good way to make friends.

Starlight- I used to go to the gym and leave DS with on his own for an hour as he's old enough and the gym is only 5 mins away. I guess I could get back into that.

Mutton- there is a lovely pub opposite my house with a beer garden and DS and I have been for lunch before. He's an only child though so it's just us.