I feel so lonely sometimes!

[CrazyCatLady8]

I’m a SAHM, my daughter is 3 in a few months, I enjoy spending time with her but I just feel so lonely sometimes. My local toddler group closed on a Wednesday, I’ve tried another group but found it very cliquey and unfriendly and nobody wanted to talk. I am hoping to try some more. It would just be nice to find some other mums and toddlers to spend time with.

There were several of us talking about this same issue on a local Facebook page. We've just (literally this morning) set up a new Facebook page for arranging meet ups. We're introducing ourselves, and the ages of our kids, and we can use the page to find people with similar aged kids and arrange a trip out somewhere etc when people fancy it. Nothing fancy, all very casual, but as it's a closed group with like minded people, it should hopefully be easier to step out of the comfort zone of home, and approach other parents/carers.

Could something like this be an option for you? (If by some amazing fluke you're in/near Darlington you're welcome to join ours :-) )

Have you looked for your local Childrens Centre CatLady? They have lots of affordable groups and tend not to be too cliquey! If not, maybe a local group related to an interest (swimming/ gymnastics/ dancing) so you have something to talk about to the others straight away?

I second the children's centre if you have one - the people who work there are usually good at involving new mums/dads to the group. Also library groups are good, I've found.

I do empathise: we go to a toddler group nearby which my son loves but everyone knows each other and I get left out of conversations. I'm a confident person who had a very sociable job previously so I have no problem with meeting new people but it's hard when conversation revolves around their personal lives! I only keep going for his sake as he has a great time and a nice long nap afterwards.

Definitely keep going as hopefully new people will join.

Sign up for loads of toddler activities. Baby and I are at two groups a day. We do children's centres (look everywhere within your council), Gymboree, toddler swimming, toddler gymnastics, story group, museum soft play and toddler football. It keeps me sane, baby loves it and it gives us a solid routine to stick to. It took time, but I ended meeting a bunch of different mothers and had them over for a lunch my chef hubby cooked. Sometimes you have to make the move (feel like I'm the man dating lol!). Hang in there and if you're Isle of Dogs, happy to help/meet up!