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Hi - As some of you know I've been a single mum now for over 5 years (my son is 8 now) and as we all know there are some terribly lonely moments as well as some lovely positive times too. One problem / issue that I have is that none of my f'real' riends are single parents and therefore I often feel like the odd one out - this doesn't bother me too much but sometimes I think it would be great to know a few other single mums locally to meet up with, share experiences, support each other, get together for the kids to play whilst we chat, maybe even help out with babysitting etc in the long run. Anyways I was thinking - should I be brave and arrange (maybe via the church?) to book a hall and advertise a meet up for other single parents in the area, see who turns up and see if they are interested in setting up some kind of group? What do you reckon, I live in a large village and there must be other single mums out there but we don't always wear a badge do we ?;)
I am an occasional church goer, do you think its worth asking the vicar for his support in so far as maybe he could help with the cost of the hall etc or do you think that might alienate some people from coming along?
Any ideas / thoughts?
Thanks
pg x
ps you can tell I'm trying to avoid thinking about my new job tomorrow - trying to keep busy busy busy as otherwise complete panic will set in!
i think its a great idea where are you and if not too far from southport i will come to the group however i am just a nanny with 6 grandchildren so i cound make the tea and serve the cakes
Hello pg and Happy New Year to you.
What a great idea! I have done this a couple of times, once with a toddler group and once with a single parent group. The key to it all is the publicity. If you can get the local paper/radio station to do an item then that would be fab. Net mums might publicis it too. Church hall a good venue too. Have a think about some activities you could use as a focus, yes it is good for people to make friends but you could have a food-related activity one time, some sort of game another, clothes swap session, first aid for parents, trip to local place of interest.....I dont mean all at once but just some ideas to get the ball rolling. The parents who come along will also have their own ideas to contribute.
Let us know how you get on and I am happy to give you support with this 
Hi pg and Happy New Year from me too!
I think this is a brilliant idea, we have a Grow Your Group online course too, that was originally written for single parents to start their own groups, have a look.
How was the new job today?
Hi pg
I'd jump at the chance if there was something like this near me. I am convinced I am the only single parent in my town!
Hope the new job went well today.
ah thanks for all the encouragement folks :) I definately need to be brave and try this out I think - thanks for all the suggestions about activities Louise, I was wondering what to do once I got people there, and was worried that it would just be really awkward so will think of a suitable activity for the first meet up along with trying to get the word out. Thanks for the link too Anna, I will look at that with interest.
Started the new job yesterday - came home crying and not sure whether i would go today, hated being new, not many people were around so i was pretty much left to fend for myself, also was disappointed as i was given my timetable and some nights i have to lecture to 6pm and also i'm teaching all thro feb half term, also the commute took ages. Anyway came home pretty gutted (especially as before i accepted the job i'd really pushed for the timetable details and explained my childcare issues, the had told me they would be flexible!). Anyway managed to get myself there again today and thankfully i'm starting to feel teensy bit better about it. on the days when i'm working late i'm going to start later and take son direct to school, rather than breakfast club, and i'm going to try whenever possible to work from home one day per week so that i can take and collect son on those days too. Anyway don't want to hi-jack my own post, thanks again for encouragement on my idea :) x
Hey pg, first day nerves are normal! I always say that it takes at least 2 to 4 weeks in a new job to start to settle in to the new environment, work hours and other staff, so give yourself a break before you start judging it
Working from home one day a week sounds fab!
I hope things quickly settle with the new job
Gosh can't believe what I've done. The job was terrible, the commute and long hours really getting me down. So on Monday I did the most irresponsible and unprofessional thing I've ever done- just left a note on my bosses desk to say I was resigning and left. Anyway felt relieved that something that made me feel so bad was over but of course yesterday and today I have started to worry a little about what to do next. Anyway the boss phoned me today and offered to consider me for part time work if that's what I want. The sensible part of me thinks I should be grateful and grab this second chance, but the other part of me is depressed by the thought of going back there where I just didn't get good vibes about anything.
Yikes, what to do? Said I would be in touch in a day or so if I want to explore the part time idea.
What to do... If you were to go in and discuss the hours he has in mind for part time? Clearly he is keen for you to stay to have got back to you so quickly.
Arrange an appointment to see him for Friday or even Monday? Think about the hours and the conditions you want?
Just thoughts.
I think the fact that he has phoned you says a lot about what you have to offer.
Totally agree with sparkling lime...you can't consider it until you know what is on offer, do go and see him!
Hi pinkgrapefruit,
I think this is a fabulous idea (especially for a displacement activity
). I wouldn't worry too much about scaring people off because the church is involved either; A & I regularly attended a mother & toddler group held in a methodist chapel by a church group; although I am spiritual, I do not have a faith.
Good luck for tomorrow - although I'm sure you won't need it!
Mary