How much do you talk to other people on an average day?

[moonmanic]

I'm just curious to find out what the 'norm' is.

I have a 21 month DD who I look after full time. Today, she is staying over at my parents to give me a much needed rest. So today, I have spoken briefly to my mum on the phone and when she came with my dad (who I said nothing to) to pick DD up. It was just basics about DD's needs etc, no full chat or anything. I have texted a couple of friends and been to the cornershop but that is literally the total of my interactions with other people today.

I have college twice a week in the evenings so I get to chat to people then. I go to toddler groups (at least once a week ) so have small talk with the other mums then. I have close friends who I try to meet up with at least a few times a week for a coffee and chat.

I am generally quite shy round people I don't know so find it daunting launching into conversations with people I don't know.

There are a lot of days though that it seems to me that I hardly speak to anyone other than DD (and she is not a great conversationalist being a toddler!).

I think I have turned into some sort of hermit. Am I weird/unusual or are other people like this too?

I am at a different stage to you OP as I have teenagers. I think it's hard with toddlers as you are meeting people through toddler groups etc but it can be hard work to build up a friendship. I think it gets easier when they start nursery, to build up relationships with other mums as you see them more frequently.

As for me, I always dog walk in the mornings with friends after school drop off for about 1 and a half hours so that is very sociable. Occasionally I don't speak to anyone else until I see the kids after school, but generally I see my neighbours, meet friends for coffee/lunch, go shopping,go to the vets/doctor/dentist/supermarket so there is always seems to be something going on. DH rings me about a dozen times a day too, and is often working from hime.

It can take a while to build a social life up though, so don't worry that what you are doing is abnormal.

I only have sole care of ds, 20 months for one day a week as I work four days. I can quite easily go a whole day with him without any meaningful conversation with anyone else beyond dh in morning. I quite like it , but then I've never been one for long phone chats etc.

bloody loads. I work in a call centre.

unfortunately though this means that I am talked out by the time I get home and have put ds to bed, so dh and I stare mindlessly at the tv for a couple hours, hardly talking, before I go to bed. its not great.

I recently moved to a new town, so I don't know many people. I make small talk at playgroups and am trying to make friends (I find it really hard though). My 3 year old talks non-stop but when he is at nursery my 11 month old isn't much of a conversationalist. DH works really long hours and I often don't see him at all from one morning until the other.

Sometimes I find my voice has gone when I get a phone call or similar - I haven't spoken for that long!

One of the reasons I enjoy working again (although at the time I didn't want to go back to work) is that I like the interaction. I don't think you should go back to work for that reason, though, homeworkers also find the same cabin-fever effect. I guess you just have to go out as much as you can, perhaps invite the odd mum over to your house for a bit more of an in-depth chat. I am ok for about two days alone at home (with only children) and then start going slightly odd. And I have never quit the talking to myself/toddler habit I picked up during that time.

I found the DSes quite good if you're feeling shy- cause you can talk loudly to them but include another person in the conversation - makes it easier to be chatty/friendly IME

One thing I've seen recommended on MN is asking lots of questions of those you meet at toddler groups and then doing damnedest to remember the answers and following up next time - "so how did you get on at that meeting/on your weekend away/did you have a nice time when you went on your girly night out? "

very little, I just don't have many words per day and find talking tiring. generally I'm happier when I don't have to talk.

I often just speak to one person in the day.

But try singing round the house. And shout at the radio or tv (if you agree/disagree with stuff) I think that makes you feel part of the living world and less isolated.

the introverts thread is here is anyone needs it