how many could-you-do-me-a-favour-and-pick-dd-up-from-schoo type friends do you have

[hatwoman]

I have a minor logistical hitch which means that I can't pick dds up from school on thursday next week. it's not a big deal and I'm not after suggestions of ways round it. I have one unpaid idea, and one paying one and hope one of them will come off. the whole thing has made me feel a bit sad though. 7 years after having dd1 - and not having moved out of the area - I don;t really have any local friends that I feel I could ask this small favour of. dd1's best friend's mum is lovely and wouldn;t mind me asking. but that's it really - no-one else to ask. I'd have thought I'd have more of a network by now and maybe even have made what I call proper friends out of this having a kid lark. but I really don;t think I have. lost touch with all my nct people; found dd1 nursery and reception coffee crowd nice enough but a bit too mumsy and officious. dd2's lot I'm too busy working. am I unusual?

I'm possibly being a bit harsh on myself. if I think of who, in theory, would I be prepared to ask, then there are a few. but in practice people get crossed off the list for various logistic reasons. The other thing for me is taht we've been bit limited on playdates - I work mon, tue, wed, so any playdates on those days (and there are a few) are arrnaged by our nanny, thursday they do an after school club and Fridays swimming.

agree with becky re forging friendships through asking for favours ..