Seeking Advice as to What to Do

So many of us are in the same boat, Tina! We moved to New Jersey last year, leaving all our family and friends behind. And even though I talk to everyone daily/weekly, it's not the same. My husband and I both miss having social lives. (He has a long commute, so even with work- it's not easy for him to meet people.) Go to www.meetup.com and/or google "Mothers and More." It really helped me to get into a regularly scheduled playgroup, rather than just classes. Eventually, you'll meet one or two moms that you really click with. I even started my own meetup group, when I felt out of place in the groups around me.

Eventually, I realized I also had to rediscover the pre-mom me, and I am learning not to feel guilty about that! It's so great to take a class (drawing, gardening, etc.) or go to a mom's night out- I'm finally getting to talk like a grown up again. And it's saving my sanity, and my marriage...

Good luck, and be aggressive in the search for your own happiness! As I've gotten less bogged down in guilt, I've become such a better mom. And I think both my son and husband appreciate me more, when I'm smiling and feeling like I have a life (even a small one) outside our home!

join a club for you.. even a health club... or book club.. or have bunko at your house and invite some of the people you have met.. maybe if you have them over.. they will then have you over.. and a better friendship will happen. good luck. I hated it when I first moved.. but started inviting anyone I could find over... and now I have tons of friends.. how about inviting a few parents over for Superbowl... or going to a local bar for the superbowl.. you'll meet people.. just give it time

Hey Tina,
Me too! we moved from Long Island to the syracuse area about 18months ago...to a small town...and although I have made some (casual)friends it's been really lonely. I did the same thing Hannah advised and joined a meet up group and although it's been great because now I know where to go and what there is to do I haven't found any close relationships. We moved from Florida to L.I. and it took me about 2 years before I met one of my now best friends...so there is hope :) I started selling Gold Canyon Candles to get me out of the house and in the party circle and I have met a lot of people through that and it's fun...but it is hard moving to a place where people have been friends for all their lives and although they like me and sometimes include me, they already have their group of friends. i just make sure that I make the first move when I am doing something with my kids...I took them sledding and I called as many people as I could think of to tell them we'd be there and a lot of people did show..I think it just takes time and effort on us new people...keep making the first move and even if you don't click with everybody eventually someone will introduce you to someone you will click with...when I joined mamasource I thought I was going to meet local people..not knowing my "local area" was several states :) but hey...you just got to keep trying! Best of luck! I'm right there with you!
C.

Hey Tina,

I am sure all of these changes have been very difficult on you there has been tremendous loss for you this year.
Is there a local high school near you that holds night classes, like yoga, pilates, computer classes, or cake decorating, anything that might interest you. Joining toddler groups is great but the moms are probably just as busy as you are to socialize. Try to find a hobby that you may like and then seek out a place that you can go to. It could be a ceramics class, bingo at a local church anywhere where women go for the same reasons as you to socialize. It is difficult when you relocate I remember when we moved to Florida when I was a teen it was so hard on my mom because she didn't work. Is it possible to get a little part-time job at night when hubby gets home just for some extra money and also another way to meet friends. Good luck!!