Most stay-at-home moms and dads love being with their kids full time, but also crave more adult conversation and friendship.
Making friends can be challenging for a non-working parent who may or may not have regular adult interaction, but there are plenty of things they can do to meet new people.
Storytime at the Library
Most public libraries host weekly story time hours for children. Consistently visiting storytime every week is not only educational and entertaining for children, it's also a great opportunity to meet other full-time parents with children about the same age as your own.
Enroll in a Mommy-and-Me Class
City rec centers and places like Gymboree offer a variety of music, art, and gymnastics classes for children and their caregivers to take together. Other classes, like swimming and tennis, don't require parent participation but are a great opportunity for parents to regularly chat on the sidelines.
Use the Internet to Locate Playgroups
Search the Internet for "[city name] playgroups" and see what comes up. Many Yahoo! groups and Internet databases are dedicated to advertising local playgroups and helping moms (and dads) to connect with each other. As always, exercise caution whenever meeting someone on the Internet.
Take an Adult Education Course
Recreation centers, gyms, local colleges, and the Y.M.C.A. offer a wide variety of classes for adults. Taking a class not only gives parents the chance to develop a new skill, it is also a great way to meet other like-minded adults. Writing workshops and language classes in particular encourage the most class member interaction.
Join a Community Group
Consider joining a local chapter of Toastmasters, playing in a community band, or signing up with a community theater group. Check the local recreation center for intramural sports offerings – being part of a team is a great friendship building experience. Many cities also have welcoming committees for new families moving into the city; joining a welcoming committee or newcomer's club is a great place to meet other adults looking for friendship.
Get Involved at Your Child's School
Drop-off and pick-up times at your child's school or preschool are great opportunities to socialize with other parents. Even parents who don't drive their child to school should pay attention to who their child's friends are and seek out their parents at school functions. Consider getting involved with the school board, band boosters, or PTA.
Visit a Local Park
Check out nearby parks to meet parents with young children who live in the area. Late morning (around 10:30 AM) on weekdays is the best time to meet stay-at-home moms. Weekends are the most popular days to meet other dads. Bring sand toys or sidewalk chalk for their children to share with other kids at the park.
Meet Families at Church
Religious parents can attend church social functions or Bible study groups in addition to Sunday services. They can make an effort to meet and get to know the parents of the other children in their child's Sunday School classes. If their church doesn't sponsor a playgroup, scrapbooking group, or book club they could start their own and advertise in the church's newsletter or bulletin board.
Make Friends With the Neighbors
Enlist the kids' help in baking cookies and take them to the neighbors. Delivering them during the daytime will reveal which parents are home during the day, probably with children of their own.
Full time parents have a unique challenge in making friends, but it can be done. Meeting other adults through community and neighborhood resources is key to overcoming loneliness as a stay-at-home mom or dad.
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