How can I make friends as a single mum?

[Slowlymakingprogress]

Background: I've been single since being pregnant 7 years ago. All my friends disappeared when I couldn't go out clubbing anymore. For the past few years, I've had weekends free to myself but had no one to go out with.

I want fun nights out! I'm only in my late 20s. I want friends to get drunk with, dance and have a laugh.

I have one friend who won't go out at night and even trying to make plans through the day is hard work as she's really flaky. I've got another friend who never wants to meet up even just for lunch anymore since she got in a relationship.

I need a new group of friends that everyone else seems to have. I'm sick of sitting in all the time on my own.

Has anyone been in a similar situation and managed to make new friends? If so, how did you do it?

What about some of the mums from school or perhaps work colleagues who are single?

I never see the mums from school as I don't do any drop offs or pick ups because I work.

Colleagues are all a lot older than me and married.

This was me!

Do you have anyone who can babysit?

I took up new hobbies and used social media (mostly FB) to cultivate new friendships.

My friends at 30 were completely different from my friends at 20.

Could you change jobs to a livelier office?

Could you do an evening course?

Community events/activities?

The gym/a regular fitness class?

Your dcs friends mums? (Play dates)

Go to local cafes etc and just chat to people! Try to be as open approachable and friendly as possible.

It is very hard though.

Have a look at Meetup and see if there are any groups in your area.

MeetUp? See if there are any local social groups you can try out on there?

I'm in the same boat really! I have weekends free and end up with a takeaway and some rubbish tv!

I found a couple of friends on Mush, night be worth a try?

I haven't heard of Mush, I'll check it out.

If I had an evening babysitter even just once a week, I'd have friends no problem!

I've got a hobby but I can only attend once at weekends so I don't really get as close to the people who attend a few classes a week. I'd love to pursue other hobbies too but I don't have the time, money or childcare.

Even if I had colleagues closer to my age, I can't go for drinks after work as I always have to rush off to childcare before it closes at 6.

I've tried children's activities to make mum friends. All the parents tend to be older and married or they just drop their children off and go off with their friends.

I'm just moaning really. The social side of being a single parent is so difficult. I can't see a way out of it until my child gets old enough to leave at home which isn't going to be anytime soon.

I've tried online dating. Men aren't interested because I'm only free at weekends and I'm not free on a random Wednesday evening to go for a meal or shie or whatever. Dating dads is difficult because they tend to see their children at weekends which is the only time I'm child free.

What about this group :

www.gingerbread.org.uk/community/