Kid, my dd is three, I am out and about all the time and have lots of acquaintances, so many infact that dp laughs that going into down is a bit like a royal visit as we are stopped every other minute by somone wanting to say hello.
When I lived in London I had friends who had been through real life changing experiences with me such as going to uni, getting first job, getting married etc. I also found that because the school I worked in was so tough the friendships I made were very strong. I miss that, I have friends here, people I go out with but nothing that strong.
I got the job I have now through being a volunteer, i used to help out but was approached about a paid position a few hours a week. I run two groups, both linked with children's centres, I plan the activities according to curriculum guidelines, do publicity, manage my staff (soon to be 2!)as well as lead activities, meet greet families and xometimes act as the link to appropriate support agencies where necessary. I do love it, and it is a job in which the more I know the less I seem to know - if that makes sense. The groups I run are my babies, I set them up and have built their excellent reputation.It also ties in with my psychology degree well and work is also funding me to get an early years qualification.
I love working as early years, I make so much more difference now than I ever did as a school teacher. When dd goes back to wor I would be involved in the children's centre's full time running schemes such as the ones I do now on a full time basis, there is also a chance that I would be a link between home and school, an impartial observer and advisor when the relationship goes wrong. We have so many children here who just never go to school and I could be involved in getting them back into education by being a non official non judgemental person.
I am so passionate about my job, I have also worked so hard to build up an excellent reputation with the education, social and early years services here. Every meeting I go to I seek out people I think would be good contacts and I introduce myself, every document I produce is clearly labelled with my name. I have worked voluntarily when i was flat broke and could ahve done with paid work because I could see that it woudl lead somewhere. If I moved I would have to do all of this again.
Maybe I should just accept that for ther next few years ( I am thinking 3 maximum) I am going to have to stay here and just get on with it. I have spent the whole day trying to think positive thoughts about living here. I even approached a fellow leftie arty crafty mum and invited dd and myself over for lunch. While dd is on holiday I am going to try really hard to turn a corner.