Isolating maternity leave

[LosingAtHumanBopIt]

My DD is 4 months old and I am starting to feel so isolated. Bored of being at home each day. I even went to the pub for lunch this week but felt so odd and guilty for even having a drink with lunch. I would love to meet a local like minded individual to spend this at times difficult period with.

Where are you based OP?

It is really difficult at this sort of stage even when there isn't a pandemic on! Leaving the house for something every day is really good for mental health. Have you researched what groups there are locally? If there isn't much, just put up a post on your local facebook advertising that there will be a self-organised mums meetup on Wednesdays at 11am at xxx location for mums of babies under 12 months, and see who turns up (self-organised means that you aren't taking responsibility for being in charge of anything, and you and the other mums who turn up are all equal with no heirarchy or organisation structure)

If you repost your op with your location in the thread title you might find a fellow mumsnetter nearby too. I did this 13 years ago and made a fab friend who is still one of my best friends now.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. I'm trying to join local groups but find they only last a couple hours a week then everyone goes back to their individual lives. I'm Cambridgeshire way. I go see family, grandparents, my mum and the occasional friend when they're off work bit it just doesn't fulfil my soul. I'm lacking something within me that I had before. I'm hoping as baby gets easier it will return. Or I'll just have to suck it up and navigate the head fuck of going back to work early. Thank you again.

It is really tough and something I struggle with too. You're not alone. I plan each week ahead and make sure I have something on every day. I go out of the house multiple times a day even if I don't have anything on and just walk round town/go to local markets etc. Do your local churches run mum and baby groups? I'm not religious but enjoy going to them as an alternative to sensory sessions etc (plus they are free). Also, do you drive? If so, national trust membership can be good to give you options for days out. My local cinema does parent and baby showings of films and the same women go most weeks - might be worth checking if yours does. You could also take your baby swimming if that interests you? Do you have a local mums group on Facebook? You could put out a post that you're wanting to meet some other mums, I'm sure you'd get responses!

What did you enjoy before? Can you find a way to do these things in some capacity, even if it's a bit different with your baby in tow? Eg I enjoyed running so we bought a buggy I can run with. Also, did you have particular hobbies/things you went to? Could your partner look after your baby while you attend something a s have some 'you' time? I have just started going to netball sessions again and it feels so good to have a brief break!