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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Lone parent, 44, feeling lonely and working from home: how to meet someone?

3 replies

Lll898 · 15/03/2026 20:00

I'm almost 44 and been single for about 3 years now.

I actually enjoy being single, but my family is 175 miles away, I have friends but they have there lives etc, so I do get incredibly lonely at times.

I work full time 4 days a week from home and 1 day in the office. Which probably makes loneliness a little more as I get very little daily interaction with people.

I have three sons my middle son has additional needs so even soft plays and meeting other parents is virtually impossible. I'm very lucky in so many respects my ex works early flex shifts so does school pick up and I drop off, we do every other weekend and he has 1 or two nights per week, it's when I'm on my own it's tough. I do get out once a month with friends and I always look forward to it.

How do I even start going about meeting someone ? My time is tight as I would not be Interested if I did meet anyone them meeting my sons for some time, anyone with experience please give me some pointers.

Week before last my sons stayed with their dad for an extra night he had annual leave and I was so lonely I got so down I almost phoned in sick as just getting up I thought what's the point another day on my own. I'm not depressed as it was only that time I just get lonely.

OP posts:
HitMePlease34 · 15/03/2026 20:04

Could you join the gym? It gets me out the house every other weekend when my kids aren't here. I haven't met anyone but mentally and physically I feel so much brighter

Could hormones be a factor? I am a similar age and have just gone on HRT, I feel a lot happier.

LadyLolaRuben · 15/03/2026 20:13

Yes I was going to suggest the gym. Going to the same place regularly helps become familiar with people. You have a shared interest in the gym, strike up conversations and get to know people...

HitMePlease34 · 15/03/2026 20:18

Absolutely saved me, sometimes I just sit on the bike and listen to music on my phone. No one judging, no one looking, or I do a class if I want to be more social. Most gyms offer a discount for parents on UC if that would be applicable (mine is discontinued £10 per month for example).

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