How do you find other moms in your area to connect with?

Sharmayne - posted on 02/11/2013

I live in the North Western suburbs of Sydney and have always found is difficult to interact/find other Working Mums around my age with teenagers to share suggestions and advice on raising a teenager daughter - I am not new to my area just working full time and being the main parent to be available for my daughter it leaves little time for socialising plus I've never known where to look. So does anyone have any suggestions.

Leanne - posted on 02/08/2013

I started a local social network for my community, and it has been wonderful to meet other moms. We do a monthly MNO, playdates for those that can make it, and classes etc. Im from a small rural town and work part time and it IS hard to meet people. But the site is free to join and helps moms connect. I also sell a little advertising on the site to fund it and make a little extra $ - if you want to do something like this for your community check out www.momsformomscommunities.com and see if there is one close to you or if not, what it takes to start one!

Deanna - posted on 02/05/2013

When you pick her up, maybe talk to other parents. Another thing to do is to find Mommy and Me groups. You can contact the local library to find out where those are.

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Shai - posted on 08/25/2012

I am looking for the same thing. I am 31 years old single mom with a two year old daughter. I would like to meet up with other moms and their children so that my daugther can have a play date.

Theresa - posted on 07/31/2010

It is very difficult, I have the exact same problem, I am also a working mom and I hardly ever see the parents of other children except for a minute or too when dropping him off or picking him up at daycare. The evenings are also very busy w/dinner, bath and getting ready for the next day. I have found going out to local parks and the library are a good way to meet other parents. My community also has events, fairs, etc esp around the holidays, maybe attending something like that will help connect you with people w/similar interests. Do you have any hobbies or sports that you like to participate in? Maybe you could get to know people that way. Also, as Renee stated below once your child starts school that will open up the doors to alot of parents and families as well as future friends. Good luck, you sound like a very nice person, anyone would be lucky to have you as a friend

Lenka - posted on 07/28/2010

Oh I SOOOOOO hear you! We moved at the beginning of the year and it has been a huge struggle to connect with other mums - even those in my workplace (most of them have older kids). My daughter goes to playgroup with my partner, but he does not connect with mums or get phone numbers or anything (apparently play dates with a SAHD are taboo).

I spent the first few months here missing mum friends desperately, and wishing I could just take a day a week off to go to a playgroup with my daughter. A couple of things have helped - one is that we made one really good friend who moved 5 years ago, so knows a little of what its like to have to find friends from scratch - she has been very inclusive in inviting me to evening catch ups. Also going to church has allowed me to meet a few people. I tried some online networking but it never came to much.

Have also tried to keep alive some of my long-distance supports (some of which are only a couple of hours away) and work on occassional weekend catch ups when things are getting me down.

I think its harder in some ways making friends when everyone's got kids. A lot of families get insular without really meaning to - its just that lives are busy and they need to make time for each other. So it hard to break into established networks. One of the big things that I learnt from my previous move (when I was still single and childless) is that time and patience are critical - friendships will happen, but sometimes it takes a year or more, and sometimes also some false starts and awkward nights of finding out you have nothing in common with a potential "friend" (just like blind-dating really...). Take any opening, any opportunity, and don't be afraid to invite people - you never know who else is lonely too, and a mum you brush by at childcare might not have had a night out for six months. And keep a thick skin - if someone turns you down it doesn't mean they don't like you. It just means that their priorities are elsewhere - and they have no idea how much you need company unless you let them in.

Lauren - posted on 07/28/2010

I know that is a lot of moving. I do go to church and try to meet other people like that but my community is very.... connected already. Everybody knows what seems like half of the city or is related to them in some way. That makes it hard because there are not too many people in my situation where they arent related and don't know people. but if you can move 26 times and still be upbeat I can too!

E - posted on 07/28/2010

You have moved 26 times? Wow, you must have expert skills when it comes to meeting new people. Hopefully you and your family will be settled for a little while now.

Alice - posted on 07/28/2010

I find great connections at church & the local parks. I've moved 26 times in my life, so, I totally understand how you feel now! :) You sound like a fun person, you'll naturally attract people! :) I'm a SAHM now (I work FT from home) and have many friends who work outside the home FT... sorry you found some stuck-up ones.

Where do you live?

E - posted on 07/28/2010

I have been struggling with the same problem. I can't seem to make connections with other working mom's. I rarely see the parents of the kids in my child's daycare classroom. I have tried to reach out to SAHM's but they are not accepting any new members that work :). I am on another mom website for my area but when you're online it's hard to trust that who you're talking to isn't really a crazy sicko. I am too busy during the week to get together in the evenings, and have limited time on the weekends. I'm basically ready to throw in the towel and figure that things will hopefully change once my 3.5 yr old goes to kindergarten.