I belong to a really expensive babysitting agency through ds's nursery, but the sitters are really good and I can relax knowing ds is safe. I have just gritted my teeth and decided that now is the time when I have to save money and invest it in my social life. I want to try and go out once a week next year, if I can afford it. I drink as little as possible because I can't afford it any more, and I am afraid that I am quite stingy about buying rounds, and I always accept politely if men offer to pay, because, after all, I have paid £30 babysitting just to be there with him. Either that, or I can't afford to go out regularly. The minimum period is 4 hrs, and you have to pay a cab home after 11 pm, which is £20+, so my whole social life takes place between 7 pm and 11 pm very sharp, about 2-3 times / month. However, I am really opportunistic if circumstances permit. Mum was down this weekend, so I stayed out till 2 am! If I have to get a babysitter for a work function, then I use every minute by arranging to go out with friends before or afterwards. Ds and I are generally out and about at the weekend to picnics, museums, galleries, etc and I always email 5-6 friends, and often a few come along. I also think that I have to entertain more. I always feel really embarrassed about my tiny flat, and get worried about the expense, but actually, people don't seem to mind things like sitting on a cushion on the floor, having plastic cups, and being asked to bring a bottle, if the party is good. I have also decided that because I can't really have a boozy evening party at home with ds around, I just have to go for daytime things. I emailed everyone I met at the party whom I liked, and said I'd be in touch later because I was having a party in January! Planned it all in my mind, and now I think maybe I should just invite the charity event guy to that, instead of an intense date. So, I am waiting to see if friend of friend of friend gets in touch with some suggestion of where to go, and I have made email contact with various others, whom I will hope to see at my party in January. Who does your babysitting? I am quite keen on the idea of dating lots of men without anything getting too intense (because then you can't think straight, and also I think it's wrong to two-time) - it makes each date less of a big deal, and you feel that it will be OK if he just wants to be friends rather than go crazy about you. However, dating lots of men and not getting het up about any one is a new skill for me to learn!