Besides church, are there ways to find a community of close family friends as a single parent? I moved after my divorce and am having trouble making friends with other parents to see on evenings and weekends with our kids. Almost everyone I meet is married and retreats to their nuclear family on weekends. I don't mean hiring a sitter to go out on dates. I'd like to make friends with other families to travel and have dinners together, and spend holidays together. It's awkward to invite a couple over for dinner, which was the easiest way to socialize when I was married. We are almost at middle school.
Note: I'm not looking to just get 'busier' with activities like PTA. I'm looking for family-oriented get togethers on evenings and weekends.
I have both friends, single and married. Most often we send a text, make a plan, and meet at a movie or what ever activity. I don't care if they are married or single.
Few married women want a single woman around their families. In order to find other single moms, frequent story times at libraries, spend time at the McDonald's playground, or try to take your daughter to the park on weekends. Good luck, I feel your pain.
We have an organization in my city called "Parents Without Partners". PWP hosts many activities, such as parent and child outings and social evenings (dances) for parents only. It is a great way for single parents families to make friends with other single parent families, as well as a great way to meet new partners. Church is also a great place to start...
ETA: I loved the suggestion of Family Camp. My boys and I attend Family Camp for a week each summer while my husband stays home and works. There are lots of single moms there, and many have made friendships at camp that have lasted for years.
Try to find some wives of doctors to hang out with--we are the social equivalent of single moms and spend many lonely evenings or holidays alone with our kids.
I always feel like a 3rd wheel when my non-medical friends invite our family to do something on a holiday when my husband is working, which is most holidays.
I don't know how to go about finding them, but I know they're out there. Maybe check Meetup.com.
Try look online, for your city/town, for single mom groups and single mom 'family' groups.
Or join hobby groups, etc.
And, what about your kids' friends... and their parents? Do you know, them?
Cops and firefighter wives are almost always free on weekend and holidays! Trust me, I am one of them. Well he is retired now but he had weekends off every three months for four weekends. Look for a singles Mom group in your area.
Try Meetup.com for your city. There are so many different kinds of groups that you are bound to find one that fits.
Ask other moms to do things w/their kids & you/yours.
Activities like dinner, lunch, shopping, Easter Egg dying during that holiday, making gingerbread houses w/the kids at someone's house during Christmas etc.
