friendships for the sake of the children? ?

[newbiebaby]

Have realised lately that I have a couple of friends that really I am not that close too/very different from/get vibes that I'm not their best buddy either, but that if we stopped meeting up our preschool age children would miss out on their friendships (they're not particularly close either but sometimes enjoy playing together). I always feel a little bit lonely after spending time with them but don't want dc to miss out. Is it normal to have relationships for the sake of the little ones?
Apologies for the waffly post

No, not normal, life is generally so busy IMO it is hard enough to spend time with the friends you do want to see. Will the DC's end up in school together? If they choose to be friends then, they can hang out at each other's houses without parents in tow. Pre-schoolers don't get over-attached to friends at their age, they will get over it very quickly if they don't see so much of even their "best friend".

Don't meet up with these people if you don't enjoy it! At that age it won't be a big deal to your DC to stop seeing them.

I wouldn't / never have.
At that age, children don't have 'close friends' they would miss - they will just play with whoever happens to be near them. Meet ups for pre-schoolers are for the adults benefit, so if you aren't benefitting, then don't do them

Thanks all yes time is too precious isn't it I just always worry about dc missing out, need to relax about it i think

Friends for a season, a reason and a lifetime.
Sounds very much like these are seasonal friends.
If you are not enjoying their company or getting anything out of the friendships, just let them fade.
Although, if you would feel lonely or isolated if you didn't see them, just go with the flow and see what happens.

Thanks moomooie trouble is I might feel isolated if I didn't see them but always feel lonely in their company I need to try to detach when I'm with them i think and not worry about judgements made etc

Oops moomoomie

Having had experience of this, I would say let these friendships go. I think you do yourself more harm and your children will not be bothered. Being with people for the sake of it is horrible. It is hard to be lonely and all too common in parents of small children. Go out and find other friends.