Ok ladies I'm sure you all have delt with this one way or another so I'm really looking forward to your advice. As a SAHM how do you make friends? I'm a newbie to florida and I don't have any friends. My daughter won't be here until March and with her dad working 12-14 hours a day I get bored and lonely. I've tried busying myself with looing for things for her online, surfing the web, social networks etc but I eventual get bored again with those. It seems like the two moms who I do kknow and want to hang out with (my ex's cousin and my significant other's boss's girlfirend) never want to invite me to any outings with other moms or future moms. So I figured I'd make my own friends. Any suggestions?
I'm new to Florida too and I'm in Orange Park and don't know anyone either!!!! We should get together sometime!! My hubby is on days right now but will be working nights after Thanksgiving weekend.
Send me a message off loop and we'll chat :)
S.
I feel your pain...we moved 7 hours from "home" and had to start over last year! Here is what helped me:
-Go to the library/community center and see what they have going. Get your daughter involved in everything (once she comes), and immediately you will begin to meet people.
-If you are religious, start finding a church. Once you find one that fits you, you will be meeting people in no time.
-Walk around your neighborhood on nice evenings. Inevitably, people will be out and about...say hello, introduce yourself, whatever you feel comfortable with. It is a little awkward at first, but you get used to it.
-Join a gym that offers classes...great way to meet other women!
-Find a mom's group. Even if your daughter isn't here yet, there is no reason why you couldn't attend and get to know people!
I hope this helps and good luck!
It's hard. I'm in a similar situation right now. I have two little ones but I'm only with them most of the day with their father working full time and going to school full time.
My suggestion to you is finding a hobby to work on. If you like scrap-booking most areas have scrap-booking stores that have classses. Maybe you could meet some friend there. If you like reading and have a store like borders take a book to read at their read where they have their coffee shop and reading area. Something like that. Just keep yourself busy. Another idea that comes to mind is if you like animals maybe you could volunteer at the animal shelter. what ever you have to do to get around people.
Church is a great place to meet people.
Good luck.
Look at your local hospital for New Mom groups (granted, that will wait till the baby comes, but will prepare you). Instead of looking online, what about going to baby stores, there may be information there, classes for expecting parents?
It's funny that I am answering this question, because I don't have friends here either, but that seems to be more that I am a working mom, and everyone I know is a SAHM.
I just did a quick internet search and here are two links I found:
http://www.eujacksonville.com/story2.php?storyid=375
http://moms-club.meetup.com/cities/us/fl/fleming_island/
You also might want to check out www.meetup.com and see what they have in your area.
It's tough to move to a new place and meet people any more. We've all gotten too busy to make new friends. In 2003 I actually moved by myself from Florida (I grew up in Clay County) to Stillwater, OK without knowing anyone here. It took a while but I did eventually meet and make some good friends, many of whom I met by joining a club I found online. Just look for a club related to any interests you have (I joined an outdoor club and am now considering finding a photography club to join). Be willing to go a few times, to give yourself ample chance to meet people. I'm really glad I did. Good luck with it!
How about a pre-natal yoga class (find a certified instructor) or other pre-natal type class?
Once your little one is born there are a lot lof Moms groups out there as well, but one step at a time.
Congrats and good luck!
Go to the library during Children's story time.
I know the feeling. I just posted a question about whether it's appropriate to go to church to meet people if you aren't religious... the only people I know here are my in-laws.
volunteer at the school your daughter will be going to?
Call the local Red Cross, YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, United Way etc. for volunteer opportunities. Not only will learn more about your new community you will meet tons of new people.
Have you played "tourist" yet in your new home town? Now is also the time to find all the neat little local restaurants, museums, parks and shops that you can share with your daughter when she gets there.
