Feel like I'm on fringe of society

[Ilovebeingmehonest]

Feeling v socially excluded. I try to speak to folk and be positive. I start getting more friendly with folk but then it fizzles away. I work full time so I'm not out on the parent scene much and my job is highly unpredictable (travel, last minute meetings) so it's hard to volunteer for classroom or PTA activities. I was invited to a Christmas do the past few years by a nice mum but I've not had an invite this years So I feel v down about this. I have no Xmas nights out so just a long month of nights in! I am now feeling not confident enough to invite folk here due to knock backs in the past. I have 3 children and they go on occasional play dates but nothing regular. We live in a village but feel really crap my kids don't really have friends nearby to be able to go play even though there are plenty of their school pals around. Anyone have similar positive stories of increasing their social circle?

We've relocated several times now and I join everything each time. DH finds it harder because his work involves substantial travel and so it's hard for him to commit to regular things.

Are there any groups or clubs or voluntary anything near you where regular attendance isn't vital? Consider everything even things that aren't quite 'you' (WI, museum volunteers, gym, church, whatever) that doesn't require clockwork weekly attendance.

You need to grow your pool of casual acquaintances before you find your real people.

I feel just like this too. Any Christmas nights out, parties or secret Santa things are through work.
I'm not really much of a joiner in of stuff and haven't made any friends with any mums at dds nursery even though it's been 3 months now

I'm probably best friends with my family and a few mums I know in the area. Any close friends are miles away.

I think putting yourself out there to join various groups would help if you can. Evening childcare stops me doing this.

Not much help but just saying you're not alone!

I feel like this too - I do see a fair few people through work/pick up/drop off but no one actually knows me..

Every now and then I think it would be nice to go out for a drink in the evening - and then i realise I have absolutely no one to ask!

If I didn't have DH and DSs then I could easily be one of those people that dies and no one realises for years..

Agree with pp. Join everything that you've got time for and be prepared for the tedious getting to know stage and talking about kids/school whatever. Once you get to know people you'll see who you click with and that's when the fun starts and you can socialise with people you like. Don't be scared to invite people . They may be busy but they'll take a raincheck etc. Honestly, I've moved lots of times and that's the way to go about it.

. I feel like this too sometimes. It doesn't help that I have a job working from home with travel, and all my collegues (who are lovely) live in different cities!

I am always bemused by all the party clothes/food/advertising this time of year. If you're over 25, who the hell goes to all those parties?

Do you have any close friends, even those who may live far away? My two best friends live miles away, one in a different country but at least there's skype if I'm feeling lonely.

I think it's like this for many people, like the song by the police you're not alone in being alone......