How do you meet others in the areas that you live in? I have met a few people, but find out that they have their friends already and don't care to add to that. I've been going to a local church and that isn't reaching me anymore, I have invited people over and they'll come over then won't call or text or even email me back. They say that they are interested in my new wellness business that I am doing and say they want to know more and then never hear from them? I know they are busy with jobs and their kids and husbands and they all have family here in TX or a few hours away. I'm a social butterly and I'm used to having my weekly girls night out, going to a friends house or them coming over with their husband and kid(s) or us adults having the same babysitter so that we could get the kids together for a playdate while us adults went out together. Here we don't have that. My husband works an hour away so he's gone 12-14 hours a day, my inlaws don't call to check on us, and I have no friends. I feel like a butterfly with my wings clipped. If we do go out it's to take the kids somewhere to play so I can make them happy, I've applied at jobs and then wonder if I should leave the kids after I drop the two boys off at pre-k and the elementary school and my see about a daycare for my daughter. How do you get to know your neighbors when everyone seems so busy or to have their set group of friends, what about churches that have kids groups like awanas or something for the adults? I would like to meet others that have kids of different ages. I've looked into meetup.com for moms groups but most of them are for infants/toddlers or preschoolers. I have yet to find a group for kids that are 2, 4 and 9 and 10 yr olds when we have my stepdaughter. Is life really that hard or am I just so set in my ways that I make others uncomfortable. I'm a SAHM of 3, I was in the Navy for 10 1/2 yrs, I don't wear makeup or dress up. I like going camping and fishing and bike riding, I love being with my kids and reading, coloring, playdoh just what ever makes them happy. Is that why it's difficult is because more moms have to work now? I mean we struggle with money and stuff, but I try to do things to make my kids happy. What do you do?
It is harder to meet people as you get older. You could try volunteering as a way to make some friends. Or maybe the PTA would give you the opportunity to meet the parents of your children's school mates. I know it's hard - hang in there.
Okay first never sell things to your friends. Only your best friends will tell you to stuff it and the rest will be polite but avoid you like the plague. Don't do that to yourself. :)
Biking!! do you have trails near you? Can you get one of those thingys to drag the kids behind your bike on Craigslist or something? If you have bike trails like we have around here you will find lots of other moms dragging their kids behind them.
Don't write off friends because they already have friends. I would be leery of someone who doesn't have friends unless they just moved. Everyone has friends and when you have kids you can't have enough cause everyone has a crazy schedule.
You like reading, have you considered volunteering at the library. They almost always need someone to read to kids. The bonus is that those kids come complete with parents and all. What a great way to meet people, ya know?
You mentioned your new wellness business. Maybe people are shying away from you because they think you are going to try to sell them something! School just started--you might try volunteering up at school on a project that other parents are involved in. Check into some of the mom's groups-- although there are groups for preschool moms, some of them may have older kids in school too! If you are not finding what you are looking for at that church, look at other local churches or your denomination in a nearby town. It would be worth driving to find a more suitable church home. Good luck!
Do your kids have any activities like sports where you could meet other parents? You could volunteer at the elementary school which could help you meet moms of school-aged kids, and it's something you can put on your resume. Or what about girl scouts or cub scouts, that would relate to fishing and camping.
Don't wait for people to call you- call them and ask how they're doing. This is where I often fail and lose track of friends.
I'm also in Johnson County, I have friends in Venus so I know it is pretty small. I have a 16 yr old stepdaughter that was 7 when me and her dad got married, I have a 13 yr old daughter from my ex, and then together we have an 8 yr old son, 6 yr old daughter, and a new baby son. The kids are involved in soccer, pee-wee football/cheer, church youth group, and Camp Fire (the 13 yr old is in athletics and cheer). During practices for the various sports is where I meet and talk to other parents. There is usually 2-3 practices during the week and then game days. With more than one kid involved that is alot of meeting and talking to new people. We also go to cat shows, my kids are in the jr exhibitor program. Something similar would be 4-H, I have horses and friends with horses. It will probably get easier when your younger ones get older and you can try out the different sports/youth programs to see what they are interested in. If you volunteer as the team mom, you'd learn everyone's names and they'd have a reason to know who you are. You could be so busy, you wouldn't even need to invite people over because you'd be seeing them several times a week ayway ;^)
