Well i've been busy with all the kids and the summer.... I am so tired, i really need to get out and meet people and maybe become friends with others.. I keep my self isolated so much...All i have is the kids and my DH...Any advice on ways to make friends... I'm tired of feeling so alone and not having any one to talk to besides family....I feel like i'm gonna lose it soon if i don't make connections with other adults... thanks for listening
Hi momto8,
Wow, do you really have 8 kids? You must be a great mom! I am the youngest of 8. I'm not sure of your kids ages, but a good start might be the public library. I also think volunteering is a wonderful way to meet people and sets a good example for the kids. Maybe a cooking class, walking group or arts/crafts?
ssgiggler
Hi momto8,
As a fellow mother (i have 3 young children) I understand your feelings of being tired & isolated. I often feel like all I have is my kids & my husband-and miss being able to talk/hang out with friends/adult contact. I actually think this feeling is relatively common & normal among moms-especially stay at home moms. I have met several moms from my children's activites who feel the same way.In fact-there are 3 stay at home moms & 1 dad who I regularly meet at the park & library (story time) near my house-who feel the exact same way-isolated from the adult world/adult convo. We actually started a book club & discuss a particular book once a week at the park while our kids are playing. It has been fun to be able to discuss something other than our children & it has helped me make new friends (I am shy at first -so i am not the most outgoing person). Other ways to make new friends is to join club, take a class, or even get involved in your children's activities & befriend the parents (also helps in setting up play dates for your children). In addition to being more proactive in meeting new friends, I have also learned it is never to late to call up old friends. I had children young-so none of my close old friends have kids & were in different phases of our lives (they are young and going to clubs, and I am taking care children/going to parks/elmo etc). I use to feel bad for not having time to hang out w/ my old friends & for awhile I felt like we were drifting apart (it really saddened me bc I have been friends since 1st grade w. my 2 closest girlfriends-so I didn't want to lose their friendship) & that because i had children I felt I wasn't fun to hang around with anymore. Anyway, I learned that sometimes you have to take the first step-and I reached out to my girlfriends-saying I really missed hanging out w/ them & I often felt lonely bc its just me & my children. My two close girlfriends said they had missed me too but didn't want to bother me bc they thought I was busy w. my children & no longer interested in hanging out w. them since they hadn't heard from me in a bit.Now we make an attempt to meet up at least once a month (summer months usually weekly bc they are home from college) & talk often on the phone. From my personal experience, it helps to have a few close friends who you can talk to about anything & everything; but to also have several aquantinces (often fellow parents you might meet through your kids activities) who you can have adult convo while still caring for your children & whom you share the mutual interests with (in my case both being moms w. similar age children).
To sum up my lengthy answer most stay at home moms feel similar to how your feeling & to meet new friends it is really best to just put your self out there: get involved in activites/clubs & remember it is never to late to rekindle an old friendship. Best of luck!