Lonely Aussie Mum in Clapham

[Justine888]

Hi, we moved here in April 2007. I am a SAHM with a son in school and a daughter at home with me. I am yet to find a friend - not even the Mums at school are friendly - cliquey. Im getting desterate and depressed about it all. Any tips/advice would be appreciated or if you know any friendly Aussie Mums out there in the same position, let me know. PLEEEEASE!

teehee!

Sorry you are finding things so difficult Justine, I know how you feel, I am finding motherhood lonely, can't imagine what it must be like to be so far from home. I'm not near you but I just checked out your thread as I was going to retrieve Foxy to come to your rescue but I see she already popped up! She's lovely! Good luck!

Message withdrawn

Aww, shucks Bumper

Foxythesnowman come on down to Northcote road and ponce around with me.
Mamado - I'd be happy to catch upi to. Never heard of Grafton Sq so you could show me and since our dd2's are of similar age we can let them trade tips on how to slip the lock on kitchen cupboards and how to raid the freezer whilst we sip a coffee or similar.
Peasoup - Im so sorry I couldnt make todays (Thursdays) playgroup at Clapham Old Town. I was totally gear up for it - lunch packed, daughter dressed and ready to go - me showered and dressed and then the bloody weather happened!! What an awful windy and rainy day. It wouldnt have been a problem if I had a car but I dont and am on foot. My little one is recovering froma cold so I thought better of it and stayed home bored instead and watched Jeremy Kyle say "by the way " alot. I will try again next Thursday for sure!

aussie - check (well, almost, DH is Aussie and has given me honorary status, I could probably bluff my way if the term "fish and chips" didn't come up in the conversation)

mid thirties - check

vaguely near Clapham - check - just over half an hour on the number 37 bus I believe

only problem is that I work full time, but am sure we could meet up one weekend? In fact, are you doing anything on Saturday - I am home alone as DH in the States until Sunday! Failing that, just CAT me and am sure we can sort something out.....

(and have one ds aged 3)

[I think page62 is somewhere over your way, and she is lovely! if anyone sees her point her over here.]

where do you live legalalien?

Justine, I'm going swimming tomorrow at the Latchmere. Any good for you? Taking DD1 (3) and DD2 (6m). I also have DS1 (6) and DS2 (5). If so, I'll walk around shouting until I find you - or we can carry a copy of Smash Hits or something (its been that long since I've been on a blind date!)

Or one day next week? CAT me if you can.

Fab! How about early part of next week? 9.30ish Starbucks, then I'll show you Grafton Sq (as long as its not snowing! )

bk - dulwich, very near east dulwich grove (north dulwich is the nearest station)

ps to bk - since I think you are in CW - are you up for a visit to check out the sort-of-new-if-you-are-as-uncool-as-me-and-get-about-two -smallchildfree-nights per annum champagne bar? think it is a branch of "dion". or something. Jura ALMOST made it there the other day I think but failed at the last hurdle.....

hi legalalien, today is my last day working in cw! for a few months anyway - am taking a break. but if the wharfrats ever get it together to meet up let me know and i'll see if i can make a guest appearance. thanks v much for asking

Legalalien - cant do this Saturday. We are going on the LONDON DUCK! Woo Hoo! My 4 1/2 y.o.son has been begging to go so we are gonna brave the freezing cold winds whipping around London and then across the Thames....gimmie strength!
What about the next weekend?
Foxythesnowman - sorry luv, didnt check this thread till today (8.17 pm). Hope you had a good time at the pool - never even heard of the Latchmere. I havent got CAT facilities yet - need to pay the money with the visa and my handbag is always downstairs and the computer room is upstairs. If you like, drop me a line at justineinlondon at hotmail.com. Thanks - and well done you for taking all four kids to the pool! I'd be stressing to the max!
Mamado - I can do Wed, Thurs or Friday next week. The first couple of days I have appointments at the dentist where I will be paying them a huge sum of cash to butcher my mouth... great isnt it? NOT! Feel free to also drop me a line at the above listed email address.
Gotta check these threads more often!
Thanks girls for getting back to me!
Take care,
Justine

God no, not all four! Oldest at school.

WTF is the London Duck?

The Latchmere is a local authority pool - it has a shallow, wade in bit, so it is perfect for small children, especially if you have more than one.

I'll email you!

The London Duck, for those who dont know, is an amphibious vehicle that travels on land then drives into the Thames.... it's all the rage (NOT). Its painted yellow and goes on land and water thus the name...
Its a touristy thing... and something 4 year old children and my 35 y.o. husband fancies having a ride on... greeeeeat. Bet you're all jealous!

Tried to email you but it bounced back.

Hope you are having a good time on the Duck.

It bounced? Really?
[email protected]? NO SPACES???

wed sounds good, will try and email you

Justine, hope you've managed to meet more people on here. I wish you were nearer me, unfortunately I'm on the wrong side of London from you, apart from just having gone back to work full time, but if you ever feel like venturing further afield...

It sounds like several people have responded, but another thing worth trying might be your local NCT (National Childbirth Trust) branch for Wandsworth. The organisation does courses, campaigning and nearly new sales but also organises some social events.

I went to a postnatal NCT group in the summer (my baby was born last May) and it was a very valuable start to motherhood, the others were friendly and we met up regularly for 6 weeks after the course finished, but have fizzled out as people started going back to work from September onwards, and no one lives very close to me. Of the 7 of us, there are 2 or 3 who I think I might get to see again at some point, I'm assuming the others feel that their lives are exciting enough already.

But the NCT also has local coffee mornings/afternoons, how and where they take place depends on who is organising them. Though I might not get along much now I'm back at work as they all meet weekdays and I'm full time, I've found the local organisers very friendly and welcoming. And many of those involved have kids of slightly different ages as well.

Good luck, anyway.

Hi justine - I'm not in London (Derby - miles and miles away, so no meeting for coffee), but am an Aussie and wanted to say hi.

Sorry you are having a hard time. The English are hard nuts to crack - even up here where they are definitely friendlier . I'm sure you will make some good friends in time though, it does take time though... as I said...hard nuts. Try to think of it as reserve, rather than unkindness. I think many English folk just feel a lot more awkward about getting to know people than we do, and are not as forward. There are more 'rules'. You'll get there! CAT me if you ever want a natter, or to complain about carpet in bathrooms, lack of laundry tubs and the mad driving

Good luck

btw, where are you from? I'm a Sydneysider.

Hi Justine

I'm an Aussie living in London and trying to "crack the nut" too.....I think Astrophe is right, it is reserve but I wonder if Brits feel the same when they move to Oz. When I moved from Brisbane to Canberra it was hard at first - and I was single and childfree in those heady days!

I've just come across Mumsnet - if you feel like an aussie catch up let me know - we're at Wandsworth Common, so not far from Northcote Road. I have two children - DD 31/2 and DS 15 months.

cheers

Cathy

Hi all
im an aussie mum with a nearly two yr old girl,would love to meet up with other aussie mums ,yep most mums are cliquey here so finding it hard to find friends .I live in the Feltham area...
any one interested in meeting up?

helen