Staying at home

I admire your decision to stay home with your child. I did that too for five years when my kids (now 20 and 21) were little, and I don't regret one minute of it. It was really lonely, though. I had a good friend from high school who had kids the same age, and we'd been out of touch for several years but we found each other again and resumed our close friendship and made our own support system together. Without her, I don't know what I would have done. Best wishes to you - I hope you can link up with a couple of good friends soon who are young moms that share your values. My retired aunts used to come and stay with me sometimes, too, and that helped ease the loneliness while my husband was at work. They also taught me how to cook, thought up creative things for the kids to do, and how to budget the household so we could keep living on one income. They were wonderful ladies, they're both dead now and I really miss them. If you belong to a church, they might have some kind of group for young moms to socialize.
Nancy

I get lonely also... you are definitely not alone! I have done "mom's club" that helped a lot (for a while anyway)! It is hard to keep friends sometimes because you get involved with your family at different times. In my case friends seem to come and go. I do get lonely. Let me know if you would ever want to get together, otherwise let me know if you have suggestions for me.
Networking seems to be the key which is hard when your focusing on you family... the reason you stayed home to begin with. (not wanting to forget yourself)

I understand what you're saying. I quit teaching in May after I found out I was pregnant with twins. I was worried about getting into a rut and being lonely because all my friends work. So I started researching different groups that I could join even before I gave birth in October. I joined my local chapter of te MOMs Club International and have attended my first "play date" last week. Of course my 2 newborns are too young to participate, but I'm doing it more for me to get out of the house. All the women were so nice and they are even bringing me meals all this week to help me out since I have 2 newborns. Some of the women bringing me meals haven't even met me yet! I'm so glad I joined. I also joined a couple of groups on meetup.com (if you haven't looked into it yet, do so!) and plan to attend the lunch with them tomorrow. Being a new stay at home mom can be very scary and lonely, but if you put some effort into finding and joining some groups, I think you'll be much happier!

Staying home is a great thing to do for your children - but you're right...no one really talks about how lonely it can be for mama. I had my son in June and have stayed home since he was born - there were times when I thought I would go crazy from being at home so much.

Here is what I did - or am doing...I try to get out of the house every day to meet up with friends. Most of the friends I made through church - I don't know if you currently go to church but if you do, there's usually a mom's group and you can make friends there. I also go to MOPS - which is "Mothers of Preschoolers" which meets 2x/month usually and is a great way to make friends in your area. It does cost money, though, but you can maybe find out about other playgroups or moms that get together with their children. If you google MOPS you should be able to find one at a church in your area.

Where in the valley are you? I personally think it's very important for moms to get together just to discuss difficulties and triumphs they are having at home. As much as we love our children, we do need interaction with other people. If you want to get together, you can send me a prviate message.

Take care.

Thank you so much for all of the support! It is so great to know that I am not actually 'alone out here :)

Thanks again!!!

Sue

I met and am still in touch with ladies that I met at Parks and Rec classes for my kids, and Music Together Classes. Now your child is a year, he and you might enjoy getting out to a class - him for the socialization and you too!

You have things in common off the bat with these Moms as you're there during the day, with kids the same age. Check out phoenix.gov/parks if you are in the Phoenix area, for a list of classes (although the web site isn't easy.) Good luck!

Lovemy4 is a discussion leader for North Central Phoenix, tired mother of 4 great kids and wife to one great husband.

I met some amazing Moms at free classes at Scottsdale Healthcare. They use to have 2 classes a week (I don't know about now) My girls are 8 and 5 and we have a group of families that we do things with still. If you go, you will find yourself sitting next to some of the same Moms week after week and you will get to know them. Good luck and God Bless you - this is the most amazing job in the world.

KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.

I can definitely relate - I worked as a Regional Manager before my daughter was born. I was working 6 days a week for 14-16 hours a day. Then I found myself home with my beautiful daughter - boy, that one-sided conversation gets old doesn't it!

I did start working at home with a great team and keeping in touch with other women who have children and were going through the same things that I was helped so much!

If you want to talk, share and just have an adult conversation let me know! I am new to this board but would love to make new friends!!

Teri Nevarez - wife to Ray
Mom to Denise 7 & Ronnie 5
Proud Work at Home Mom
www.afunbiz4u.com

I'm in that same boat. I moved here at the end of '06 for a new job for my husband. I have no friends out here just family so i dont talk to anyone but them. Its not bad but i would like to talk to someone else that around my age and with a little one. Im still trying to find a moms group or a friend. so if you find a soulution please let me know.

Thanks

I felt the same way after my first son was born. I found a strollerfitness program and loved it. I have attended 3 classes at three different locations and now own my own, but they are all great. You get out of the house, get to exercise, talk with other moms, and the kids get to play. Most have playgroup type activities too. Look into strollerfitness programs in your area, I know it changed my life!

Kandra
mommy to CJ 2 1/2 and Jayce 16 months
www.strollerfit.com/goodyear

Kandra
Mommy to CJ 2 1/2 and Jayce 16 months
strollerfit.com/goodyear

Hi! I completely understand how lonely it can be. I would love to connect with you...our kids are about the same age as well. What part of the valley do you live in?

I just read your post and can relate completely. I love being home with my daughter, but I did not know how lonely it would get. I am shy as well so it is difficult for me to go out and meet people. My days are spent cleaning the house and doing laundry every single day. I agree that it would be wonderful to have some friends to spend time with. This is my first child so I would love to be able to find out if other mothers deal with the same things I deal with. I hope that your circumstances have changed since you posted this. Good luck!

Another plug for MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). Check out their website to find a group near you. That was a wonderful place for me to meet other new moms. It branched off into a play group and lots of other activities. I also attend Gymboree classes with my kids, lots of moms are looking for someone who understands!

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.