So what do single parents actually DO for a social life?

[Janos]

Dunno if this is the right place to put this but anyway..I recently separated from my partner, with who I have a one year old son. The split has, thankfully, been reasonably amicable with a minimum of unpleasantness. That's not really the issue though.

My DS stays over with his dad for 3 nights during the week - we still still quite close together. This means I have one or two nights to myself where I don't have to go to work the next day. My problem, if it is a problem - is finding stuff to do. Because I've been in a relationship for a long time I've got out of the habit of going out and doing things on my own..I've never lived on my own before really and tbh I am finding it hard. I do have some lovely mum friends who I meet up with regularly but I'm talking about stuff like going out, meeting people, socialising. I do try asking folk at work but no-one is really in the same position as me. I'm the only person in my office who has a young child. I invite people out for drinks and stuff but they're always too busy/got better things to do - fair enough I suppose.

My question is, what can I do to meet folk? I'm not a raving party animal but I would like some sort of social life.

Any advice very much appreciated - thanks!!

Sorry - that should be we still live wuite close together.

Also I don't mean to imply that I don't have a good time/socialise etc with my friends who are also mums cos I do. Just re-read and thought it sounds a bit patronising and dismissive, which is not my intention

I am a single mum of 2,I put an ad on the net on a different mums site,I wont say which one,but you can do it on here too,but I had more success on the other,anyway I've made quite a few friends now who have kids aswell and we go to the town together,or go somewhere for dinner,and I sometimes go out on a sat night when both my kids go to their dads.

Just re read again,sorry if this isnt what you meant,what else do you want to do besides going out to town and clubbing?I cant think of anything else to do really!!

I personally dont have the energy to go out too much,I enjoy just having time to chill,on Saturdays when my kids go to their dads,I could go out every week if i wanted but I just dont have the energy,I'd much rather sit in with a pizza and a bottle of wine and watch the X Factor!!

Thanks steph1974, that is what I mean. When I'm taking care of my son, I don't have the time or energy to go out either!

I love my chilling out time too. Suppose I'm just feeling a bit lonely and out of it..we only split up a month ago. Maybe I.m just trying to do too much at once.

I think you are probably worrying too soon Janos... it will take you time to adjust. It is very odd living 'alone'.

I was the opposite to you, had no mum friends and I have now managed to make a couple which is nice.

Have you ever thought of doing an evening class? It's probably a bit cliched but they are fun and you can meet people?

Although none of my co-workers have kiddies, I still try to get out with them at least once a month (mum babysits, as dds father has never been around) I also meet up with mums from the mum and tots groups during the day, and make an effort to go to local events,and classes to meet new people (this week its colour me beautiful, digital photography class, and a card making class-all free with free creche). Maybe you could try a local college for evening classes - that way you will meet people with similar interests? TBH, I enjoy a night on my own now and then to catch up with things

I so want to do a class next term!! I love them, there is a millinery one near me.

I keep meaning to join my local gingerbread but never get round to it.

Ooh, gingerbraed - I might them. Thanks Caligyulea.

Weesaidie - I also like the idea of an evening class. Will look into it. I like the idea of doing something creative!

Sorry about the awful spelling mistakes, can't type today! Thanks everyone

Caligyulea, you can join via the Gingerbread website - I just signed up.