Single parent seeking advice

I'm told this site is for dads as well as mums, so here goes!

I have a daughter (3 yrs) who lives me full time. She goes to nursery as I also have a full-time job. For reasons I don't wish to state here, she never stays with her mother, so she is with me 7 days a week.

My daughter is my top priority, but my "problem" is loneliness. My family live far away; a night off is a rare treat and has to be planned well in advance. I do get occasional help from my neighbour, but I don't want to impose on her.

Does anyone have any suggestions to help me get out and meet other people now and again, or am I forever limited to online forums and dating web sites?!

Is there anyone else in similar position? Are there many places with creches? What other options are there?

Hey Daddy from a fellow Daddy! Good place to post, there's plenty of dads on here. I won't pretend to be in the same position but I totally understand it having only moved to Bath from London 18 months ago and not knowing a soul.

I've found it easiest to meet people via a shared interest so (for me) I started with the rugby (fun) and made a point of attending a couple of local tech events (work related) and it has gradually built up from there. I totally get the lack of spontaneity, babysitters are an issue but I haven't found planning ahead a barrier.

So I guess the question is what you're into? Where do you work - is it local? I'm always around for a coffee or beer. Work in central Bath. Feel free to DM.

Dad's Stay & Play at Weston Children's Centre is running on some Saturday mornings, this could be a good starting place?
10AM - 12PM
Stay & Play with a difference - Bacon Butties
DAD'S ONLY - with their pre-school children
19th November & 17th December.

Thank you both!

You should try Baskervilles Gym. Have a look on their website.
They have toddler sessions in the gymnastic hall, such fun and you will meet all sorts there and you and your daughter will have a good quality time,whilst building a good strong friendship group. They also have a good creche so you can have some YOU time in the fitness gym. All the staff are friendly and non judgemental!!! Free parking too!!!!!
Depends what you are after I suppose. I say give all a go!!!

Thanks Anber. Sounds good!

Good luck!
Although you are a male, many of your issues are the same as single mums with families not living near to help. The bonus is that your work so I expect you have adult conversations. It is tough when your child is so young but it does get easier as they get older, but also you dont want to wsh her child hood away as it is such a short it me in yours and her life and you never get it back. Neighbours are a fab and I think it is sometimes best to tell them how you feel, that you dont want to put upon them. Some people get offended because you wont or dont use them. Your daughter might be fulfilling their need to help. Chat it over with them it helps beleive me.

Hi there, i can relate to what you're saying, not completely but my daughter's father works away a good 8 months of the year - my social skills have deteriorated to say the least lol! we are in the process of moving to Bath and i only know 1 person there so please feel free to hook up for a coffee with your little one once i've moved in and settled - as for socialising etc, what about your daughter's nursery? that's a good focal point for finding out about parent meet-ups etc or you could ask to put a notice up on the board in her nursery re meet ups etc - whereabouts are you in Bath? i think that Bath seriously lacks an indoor soft play centre - the Zany one at the sports centre isn't very nice - there are two in Bristol and I've made so many friends as a result - maybe we should set one up lol! Anber's advice seems really good as well

Hi, I set up a forest school for children & parents and I run family days - a bit like a holiday but without going away. As a single parent Mum I find doing holidays not much fun, so I run these in the school holidays for anyone to come along too. They are really nice for single parents, because there is instantly friendly people, doing nice things together - with all ages of children. So children get friends to play with and fun activity outdoors, and adults get some adult conversation and a lovely day out. So if you like den building, camp fires, picnics, bushcraft for pre school age children, making christmas presents do try one some time. www.babesinthewoodsforestschool.org.uk
Has anyone got any good tips for single parent holidays? I'm too scared to try gingerbread holidays!

hi there, yor website link isn't working??? sounds fab so i wanted to take a look at the website as my little one really loves nature - thanks!

Hi Jesse,

Babes in the Wood are actually listed on the site, take a look here:

http://www.bathmums.co.uk/address.php/10403-babes_in_the_wood_forest_school___wed_and_thurs.htm

You can click through to Liz's site from here.

Thanks, Lisa

hi Lisa, the Cluton one sounds fab - is it okay to get to if you can't drive? thanks again

The babes in the wood sounds great and I'd love to be able to go. Sadly, working full time prevents this.

Whoops... think I might have looked at the wrong part of the web site. My apologies, Liz; are you referring to the events on http://www.babesinthewoodforestschool.org.uk/events.html? These look good and I could do these! It's the Weds/Thurs day sessions mentioned on the groups page that I unfortunately couldn't attend.

hi im a newly single mum trying to move to bath ( via social housing exchange so not easy!) 1. i find in the summer working at family festivals is a great way to meet people i have worked in the childrens areas before where you can take your own children.2. you can set up your own gingerbread group if there isnt one nearby ( sinlge parents social network) 3.i have been thinking of setting up a soft play/ community cafe in bath if/ when i get there! so any others interested pls email me thanks. !

Hi there,
Whether a Mum or Dad being a single parent presents it's challenges as well as demands & I have great admiration for you all (my sister-in-law is a single Mum & she finds loneliness a big challenge) & although money is much tighter for you I think 1 of the things that really helps her is to have some time to meet others & have a couple of drinks etc. - there is a lunch planned fir Saturday 26th November in central Bath, nothing fancy it's at Pizza Express & at present a small group of 4 of us so if you are able to make it it would be lovely to meet you, just let me know & I'll send you the details. Otherwise Claire seems to organise drinks nights but I'm not sure when the next one is planned but if you're interested at all I can always let her know so she can add you in on the circulars.
Thanks & hope to meet you some time,
Rachael x

Hi there,
I just came across this thread and although is from quite a while back I wondered if any of you ever ended up meeting up or anything? I am not single- my husband works abroad 9 mths of the year and has now been away 5 mths straight. I have been managing well but just starting to feel a bit isolated and would like to expand my social group and meet more Mums/ Dads in a similar position. Hope to hear from you..