Okay this us a bit of a saddo rant and makes me sound like a bit of a loser.

Emma who is two has been a nightmare today. She's hit out a lot, bitten me twice and thrown my iPod in the bath.

I've also put on a ton of weight and am struggling to diet. I can feel the spare tyre round my waist. I go to the gym and count calories and don't know where I am going wrong and it's really getting me down.

The thing I'm struggling most is loneliness. The people I met through Emma haven't/aren't having more kids and are back at work pretty much full time. At toddlers most mums sit and chat and it's hard to break in plus I have an active two year old and an active walking one year old who at groups I need to watch. I've triednetmums and have for a while and have met a few people but not clicked. One met me and despite sending her a text and online MSG I've heard nothing back. Which has made me feel even more like a loser. Iknow this could take a while but feel my kids are missing out.

To top it off mil visit coming up and the woman is a complete pain. Apparently the one present for the kids outside of Xmas and birthday is a set of dominos. For a two and one year old!

Sorry for long rant. Just feeling down, tearful and depressed.

awww hun, sending a hug firstly,

its hard to meet other moms, i've always struggled to behonest as i'm not very confident and my son wasnt the child you would want your kids playing with because of his learning idfficulties.

i've not looked at netmums so dont know what its like. have you tired mother and toddler groups, i know its difficult when you have to keep an eye on them, but its a case of keep going and see if anyone new arrives.

its always hard when little ones hurt you, i know this a bit too well unfortunatley but they dont mean it, they doing it to get a point across, if you can you need to be consistent in discipline and the phrase will soon stop.

as for mil's mines a nightmare too, she didnt buy rich a xmas present, she didnt have time apparently... but managed to buy other family members, whom she has not seen in years, its the way they are, she will be here and gone before you know.

sending another hug, hope things pick up a little for you

Arrh hun, is there anyone to watch the kids whilst u do a salsa or zumba class. Is there anyone at the gym u could talk too?

Char

Sorry your having such a rubbish time hun.

I am really chatty but would really struggle just going to a mums and tots meet and chatting to people, so totally get where you are coming from.

I wish I had some suggestions, but I have never been out there and done it so am useless x

Aww hun I completely understand how you feel. I've recently moved and have barely met anyone and i'm really struggling with loneliness. I see you live in Cambridge, I'm about an hour away, do you drive as I'd be happy to meet in the middle, alternatively I think Gill lives in the Cambridge area, there's always meets going on we could try and organise one around that area?

As for your weight, can you afford and have you got time to go to a weight watchers meeting? (or slimming world?) After I had Imogen I was struggling with weight and my mum persuaded me to go and it really helped me. I got a better understanding of food and portion size and the support was great.

big hugs xx

Catherine

Let's meet and I will introduce you to some people who aren't at work all week.

pm me your number and I will ring you.

Sorry to hear you're feeling so down honey. It's so hard when you have to cope with a clingy tantrum on legs all day on your own.

I was lucky because I met all my mummy friends at a bf support group (designed to be welcoming) rather than a Playgroup. I've heard they can be pretty cliquey so I'm not sure what the best way in is. Personally I'd try not to get there too early, so some people are already there, then while getting the kids settled

(Argh stupix phone with tiny buttons!!!)

while I was getting the kids settled, I'd peek round for a group of mums who look like they're having a laugh and just go up and introduce yourself saying "I don't know anyone yet, do you mind if I join you?". Or you could get talking tomsomeone while you wait formthe kettle to boil - "have you being coming here long? What do you think of it?..." I know it's scary but I used to be the type to linger on the sidelines hoping someone would talk to me and they never did.

big hugs xxxx

hugs hun xx

i feel the same sometimes its only now my friends have started to invite me out again!!

Also i think some1 mentioned zumba ^ a lady i work with went a few weeks ago with her friend and loved it but then her mate wouldnt go after that so she goes on her own and has met some new friends there. She was new to this area so must of been scary for her but she loves it now so i think thats a good way to meet ppl aswell as lose some pounds! Bet u look great anyway tho

Hope u feel better soon xx

Aw thanks all x