My closest NCT friend has moved away I am gutted and down in the dumps and I want to get out and meet someone else but it is not happening

[CrushWithEyeliner]

I guess I just need to moan. My NCT was a bit of a disaster - a very small group who didn't really gel but myself and another girl found each other and got so close; we were also 5 mins away from each other and the LO have grown up together to the grand age of 2. I am feeling a bit emotional about it all which is a surprise. I got to a lot of groups and make small talk but never past that stage really. I am very sociable and friendly but like I said nothing seems to have any substance - I meet people I really like but never see them again and I feel so lonely. DD also goes to nursery 2 mornings but I don't get to know any of the other parents from dropping off or collecting, as so many other Mums seem to do. I have a neighbour who always talks about how many friends she makes with her DD at pre-school, she never invited me along to anything though . There's nothing more I can do is there? Just keep on keeping on....

you could certainly ask your neighbour if you could chum her along to one of her things as you'll be feeling a bit lonely when your nct pal goes. grab the bull by the horns, woman.

Hi Crush, just wanted to say I know how hard it is to lose a good friend. I (finally) had a really good circle of 4 friends established at the beginning of last year and 2 of them have now moved away one of whom I really miss very much as we were always in one another's houses and looking after one another's dc (who just 'gelled' miraculously and I'd never experienced that level of friendship before and am doubting I ever will again!! (All this is par for the course where we live - mainland Europe - loads of expats - people moving on every 2 or 3 yrs for job related reasons.)

So just wanted to sympathise. It's tough.

On a more positive note though, imo, it's much, much easier to make friends at the school gates than at the dreaded mother and toddler groups ... and I have made a new friend recently .. so there is light at the end of the tunnel!!

I have, well in a roundabout way but she has 2 and I know she has quite a set routine and established group...I am forever dropping hints at people I know on my road but I am just fed up now and don't want to seem desperate, but I actually am lol

really counting? that brings hope at least! it is sooo hard

i think people are too old and knackered for hints by the time they've got kids, you should just ask.

Ask, thats what i have started doing and this week been for coffee, got a playdate and got someone coming here after school today. go for it, honestly, youll be so much happier xx

Yes ... honestly it does get much easier .

Your dd will start wanting to bring home some friends for tea around the age of 4 or 5 yrs and that's when you get to know other mothers. This works particularly well if your child's friend is a first child too - as it all gets more complicated with siblings on the scene - good luck!

Invite the neighbour to your house. Whats the worst that could happen? Think sometimes you need to be abit brazen about these things. Getting mum friends is almost like going on the pull - spot a likely candidate with the right aged children at a toddler group, sidle over, chat her up, get her number voila! Then text to invite her to your house and there you have a friend.

I feel like this too.
I have a nearly 2 year old dd, and the mothers at toddlers, david lloyd etc seem to be twosomes.

I know a few people to say Hi, but then thats it.

It's always DD and I together on our own, which is lovely, but still ....

Good luck anyway