Anyone else have a hard time making friends? I keep meeting people who want to have a play date during the middle of my work day and then say their weekends are dedicated to "family time". I don't have time to go to Gymboree or any other mom networking things during the week. Also, I find myself wondering why these people can't have plans with other families when they are having family time.

Hey there - where are you located? I'm in LA and have a great group I'm part of and could recommend, they also have chapters in other states so post back if you're interested

Hi there - was just talking about this with someone at work. We're both moms, and don't have that much in common, but we've become friends - I think it's because we're on the same wavelength in terms of when we have time to socialize, etc. (Also dealing with the same issues in terms of working, feeling guilty, etc.)

We've become friends with two other families in the past 2 years who are both similar to us in that both parents work, kids are similar ages. We don't see them as often as I think we'd all like, but we do get together on weekends, since that's really the only time.

Have you thought about a weekend class with your dc? That is where I met one of the moms from the couples - it was a music class I think.

I can relate. I'm having the same problem. I'm stretched too thin for any more regular activities and already volunteer one night a week. That has led to one semi-friendship. The "mom" groups all seem to meet during the day here in Arkansas, and the ones I've contacted were not my style anyway. I'd love to do a playdate on a Saturday every now and then, and let the kids play while we talk about something besides kids, make-up, clothes, etc. I guess I'm hard to please! Hang in there.

I agree completely. I've tried joining Meetups in my area, but they're all scheduled for the middle of the week. My current plan is just to wait for our friends to start breeding.

We went to a great event this weekend with my husband - organized by this group called Parent Play or something like that. They had childcare for kids and brunch for parents. The nicest thing was that most of the people there were working moms and dads so it was easier to connect and we did meet a couple we liked. Not sure if there is anything similar in other towns but I've generally found that weekend activities tend to attract more working moms.

I've made good parent-friends through the other parents at our kids' daycare. They GET IT about scheduling playdates on weekends without it having to be a big explanation/guilt trip/defensive thing. Every moms' group I looked into during my maternity leaves met on weekday mornings. Very depressing.

I'm in Houston. To be honest, my extended family is so big that I'm not sure I can fit in another friend, and I mostly hang out with people I've known all my life. That said, I do wish I had more lesbian friends here - I feel like a lot of my doubts and concerns about parenting are specific to that issue, and that my sisters and straight friends just really don't get it yet. My partner doesn't work, and sometimes I worry that she's going a little nuts talking only to our baby all day - and the gay thing holds her back from joining mommy-type day activities - she somehow thinks people will be weirder with her as a lesbian adoptive mom. I think if she had had our daughter she would feel more confident, like she had more of a claim to mommy-hood.
It's tough navigating our roles anywhere, isn't it?

I'm having a hard time meeting other working moms too. ALL the meetups/mom groups/playdates/mom & me activities are all during the week, during the day. I have no family in the area and although I have never in my life had trouble making friends, I am finding it difficult now!

I find most mother's near me that I've ran into and tried to establish some sort of rapport with just really weren't on the same wavelength on a few levels. I need something more than just the kids to talk about, and I have alot of trouble finding that. It sucks but what can you do? I'm really picky, and don't have the time anyway....

Thank gawd for teh internez!

I am not that young of a mother anymore, but with my oldest, 8 (I am 27), I think that I have a hard time connecting with his friend's moms. With this being true, he gets invited to less birthday parties, and we do not get asked to be involved in as much. I tried to organize a birthday for him, but many of his friends did not come. Only one, and we got invited to her son's birthday too. I feel bad, and tell him that I am sorry, but his friend's moms just are not going to be my friend. I know when my 3 year old gets older, this will not be as much of a problem. So with that being said, I have to say that we have never had a play date. But we have played and had a blast.

I'm fortunate that when we moved into this house, I was on mat leave and my new neighbour was at the same time. Although she and I are polar opposites, we got along and our kids got along, so at least once a week, our kids would play together after dinner and she and I would chat for an hour.

Most of my friends now have kids and we have a hard time seeing each other, but when we do, it's often the whole family gathers. We bbq, the kids play, we talk around them and try to stay connected. We phone and email regularly. It takes not only some effort but some prioritizing.

On Wednesday evenings, I take the night off from everything. The moment dinner is over, I leave thehouse and my husband and son have boys' night and I have some alone time. Sometimes, I use that time to hang out iwth girlfrends. We have coffee or run errands together or I just head to their home to visit for a bit.

I have similar problems. I am pretty flexible because my husband I both work from home, but it still seems difficult. We don't do things like Gymboree or mommy groups because my youngest has chronic lung disease and can't be around large groups of kids without being sick and ending up on oxygen.

I'm more about finding a friend with similarly aged kids, but even that is hard because many of my friends with kids put them in daycare and they are frequently sick. I hate having conflicts all the time over whether their kid is sick or it's "just allergies," but my little one's health is one of the major reasons why I stay home, and I don't like to jeopardize that.

The only Mom friends I have are my husband's friends wives. I am sure this is out of convenience. Outside of those interactions, I am at a loss as to what to do to find other working Moms to meet. I have been told many times that I am too intimidating to most Moms, especially non-working Moms. I am a CEO and travel all over the world....BUT, I am just a working Mom too. After reading everyone post's, I don't feel so isolated. For that, I am thankful. If anyone is located in Silicon Valley, let me know. It would be great to get together.

I think having school-aged kids has helped us to meet people in our community. My kids have rather thriving social lives considering their ages. Being a single working mother means my availability to drive them around town for playdates can be limited. Luckily we have a tremendous circle of friends (kids and parents) in our community. It isn't uncommon for other parents to pick my kids up from school or daycare so they can have playdate's with their children. It works out great!