Meeting other mum's UK

[bbbbbbb811]

I don't have any friends really, with children or without children! My best friends are my mum and my sister(who hasn't got any children) and really I would like to make some friends, preferably with children and wondered how you met new mummy friends?
Or maybe I'm just socially doomed

 

[LoraLoo]

Do you go to any playgroups etc? It's a great way to talk to other mums and make new friends x

 

[AK89]

Aw I know what you mean...I'm the first of my group of friends to have a baby and, when I do have time to see them which isn't often (especially seeing as I'm back at work now), I just feel like I wish I could properly talk to them about baby stuff but I can't really, 'cause they don't have a clue! And it would probably be boring to them

Do you have any Sure Start Centres near you? They have mum and baby/toddler sessions. I'm thinking of going along to one. I imagine it's a good place to meet new mummy friends!

 

[Button#]

I met mine through playgroups. There's quite a few near me in the community centre, churches, libraries and the gym. You can easily strike up a conversation by asking someone about their baby and if you're feeling shy to start with just talk to whoever is running it or play with your baby until you're more comfortable.

There's also meet a mum on netmums where other mums who are looking for mum friends in your local area will post.

 

[bbbbbbb811]

I have been thinking about groups at my surestart centre, I did one with my first born and still met no one!
I'm not one to go up and start a conversation it just has to happen.. I'll have to join a few and give it a go! Thanks ladies

 

[MindUtopia]

Most of my mummy friends are from NCT (we all did our antenatal class together and now are kids are within about 2 months of each other in age). Obviously, if you didn't do an antenatal class when pregnant, it's a bit late to go back and do one now. But NCT activities in general are good because most people are friendly and it's the way that many mums meet new friends, so totally acceptable to just start up a conversation with someone. Otherwise, going to specific groups where you think you'll find like-minded people interested in the same things as you (forest school if you like the outdoors, natural parenting groups if you follow a natural approach to parenting, buggyfit type classes if you like to exercise). I personally didn't find I met other mums I stayed in touch with at general groups, like at the children's centre or the library, because I didn't have anything in common with them really. But if you go to something specific where you are likely to meet others who have the same interest, you're more likely to actually have something in common with them that you can build a friendship on. I met several people at our local sling meet and at a natural parenting group because we shared those interests, so ended up having a lot in common. Also, classes that people come to every week are better than just one-off activities or groups where people come and go week to week. It takes me a while to warm up to people, so chatting every week at the same class made it easier to get to know each other.

That said though, I think it's really hard to find mummy friends. It's nice to talk to people you see regularly at things, but I didn't always find I had much in common with them (other than having kids, but I kinda didn't want to just sit and talk about our children!). Frankly, I'm more just waiting until our usual friends who we've known for years start having babies (we're the first). It's a lot of work to keep those mummy friends relationships going once you all go back to work or get busy with other things or have another baby. None of us have the same schedules anymore, so can't manage to see each other. I'm hoping when friends and family start having babies, then we can still find time to see each other like we do now, but it will be easier because we aren't the only ones who have to go home early because of a 2 year old with an 8pm bedtime.

 

[SoupDragon]

I found it so hard to make friends at playgroups and classes...I'm shy and terrible at getting to know new people. I found the facebook mummy groups for my local area quite helpful - there are often posts there by people looking to meet others, e.g. people new to the area or whatever. I met two mums through a meetup organised on one of those pages and we still get together for soft play, visits to the park, etc. I don't know how much we'll get together after I go back to work - they are both already back part time while i'm going back full time and we don't live especially near each other) but it's been really nice to have those friendships even if they're not going to be 'for life', iykwim?

I had to join a couple of the facebook groups to find one I liked that wasn't just full of drama or people selling things, but they can be a really good resource and I'm sure there'll be a '*your town* mums & babies' page on there!

 

[LoveCakes]

I found playgroups very off putting as most people go with friends and sit in groups. The ones with the chairs along the outside are particularly exclusive.

I did baby massage and baby yoga. Both groups were great as people hung round after and had tea, the woman who run it encouraged conversations which was nice plus there were only up to 8 each group. It is a more expensive option though

I'm also part of a local mums facebook group and they have mums nights out where most people are a stranger (in real life) so if you're feeling brave that could be good

 

[hanni]

There's a website called mummysocial and it's basically like online dating for mums! It shows you everyone in your area and let's you suggest coffees with them and has social meets.