So, so, so, SO lonely in DC

[Anonymous]

Some great suggestions here. I met a few friends literally by just hanging out at a coffee shop on a regular basis when my kids were babies. I also did PACE which was great and music classes or gym classes down the road. This is a very hard time and I too had a lot of friends/network through work and being home with a baby was really lonely for me until I connected with these moms. Best of luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, this is not meant to be snarky. Consider "talking' to dd. I was in the same way years ago, and I don't for the life of me remember speaking to my dd. Now all I remember is how lonely I was. They can hear. Please don't take this post badly.

Yes, it is important to talk to your child, but really we all need adult interaction too!

[Anonymous]

OP, your 6 mo might enjoy the baby pool at wilson. i bet in the morning on a weekday, there will be other moms and babies there too.

[Anonymous]

also, it is totally understandable that you are lonely because the first year can be isoloating. but just make sure that how you are feeling isn't possible ppd.

[Anonymous]

The breast feeding clinic is right by you - its 2141 K street. I dont know if you breast feed, but if you do there are a group of moms that meet there and then they all out to lunch etc...so cute (I know because I work downtown and i see them all the time and literally die of jealousy that I am not a SAHM).

Also, I do not know if you have a car, but when i was on maternity leave, I signed up for classes at Kidville and met some moms there.

Where did you deliver? I had my baby at Sibley and they had a new moms club at a local church (they have the little ones meeting and then classes for moms with babies a bit older). Call your hospital and see what they offer.

A lot of the women I work with also did PACE, so totally check that out.

And finally, not sure if you are into working out but check out this site (I totally wanted to do it, but alas...the ol jobby job got in the way)
http://www.strollerstrides.com/search.php

My SAHM friends LOVE it.

Good luck, and keep us posted.



I am sorry you are lonely!

[Anonymous]

OP I am not a SAHM, but I can remember during maternity leave, my hesitation in going out with baby (freaked out my baby would cry in public - the horror!). So, if other moms are feeling that way, maybe you could have a mom over to your place? I did that with a few of my mom friends and it was so much more relaxing. We could sit and breast feed and not worry about a boob flash or a baby meltdown.

We always kept it really casual - no one expected a clean house or home made food.

[Anonymous]

DC Pubic Libraries have kids' sections where you can meet other people; take Metro to Cleveland Park. There's a good one in that library.

Get on your neighborhood listserv. Great way to find activities and meet people.

Do you go to church? A few of the Dupont-area churches are very close-knit. Friends meeting especially.

Tryst is a good hangout.

There are baby and me classes with Musikids and Levine School.

A few of the Yoga places have baby and me. The one right in the exit area of Bethesda metro station has them, but I'm sure it's also available in Dupont (Google it).

Go to Kids Closet on Connecticut Avenue (south of the circle) and ask them what they know.

The YMCA at 17th and Rhode Island has many classes for mom and baby, including swimming.

The Jewish Community Center at 16th and Q also has a variety of classes (also including swimming).

Ross Park at 17th and R, Stead Park at 17th and P, and Kalorama Park are good places to meet people.

You might also like people watching even without a group. I find that the National Gallery is a great place to bring a baby in the bjorn. If your baby is already facing forward, she might like the big colorful abstract paintings and the mobile.

[Anonymous]

Agree with all the suggestions from the PP. Also just want to add that you are just on the cusp of baby getting more mobile / interactive, which really opens up opportunities to meet other Moms.

And I do want to add that you shouldn't forget about your childless friends who are still working - they can actually be a more reliable source of adult interaction, as they are still on an adult schedule as opposed to kid schedule. Yes you are limited to meeting for lunch / afternoon coffee / early dinners, but your baby is still young enough to make those pretty easy to do. The added bonus with maintaining those friendships is that I bet some of those old friends will start their own families before too long, and it can be really fun playing the role of 'BTDT' as your friends get to experience pregnancy and motherhood.

Good luck, and I hope you find some friends soon. And just don't give up - it really is worth the effort, and that great Mom friend is just waiting to meet you - you just haven't found her yet.

[Anonymous]

There are some very recent posts on the Playgroup forum for playgroups in the Dupont area. Keep trying!

[Anonymous]

Perhaps a music class? Music together - Miss Amy's Music Makers was a class we took (she offers classes in Dupont and in Mt. Pleasant). Amy is lovely, the babies love the singing and dancing and the people who tend to take class are really nice (my dd was older than most kids so we didn't "click" in the same way, but I still see people around the neighborhood and everyone I met was really nice). I've also heard good things about DCJCC classes for kids and caretakers. I'm a working mom and still feel lonely - being a parent is challenging, and DC can be tough with folks spread out geographically - I'm happy to send a virtual hug your way though.

[Anonymous]

Do you like to exercise? I met a lot of moms through Stroller Strides and they do a lot of activities such as playdates, Mom's night out, etc.

[Anonymous]

Agree that you have to find classes to take and groups to join. I really liked PACE and signed up the baby and I for MusiKids, Gymboree, etc. Even when the relationships with the other moms weren't long standing, it was great in the moment.

[Anonymous]

Op here- Wow, thank you everyone for the great suggestions and for your kindness. I will look into the ideas suggested.

[Anonymous]

If you're not into classes, just get out and walk. I used to nanny in Dupont and had a hard time setting up meetings through the internet. I would just put baby in the stroller and we would go out walking and after a few days noticed some of the same people out with strollers. I just started talking with some of them and voila!

*Yes, my boss (babies mom) knew we were out and about and actually encouraged it.

Also, if you're open to it (some aren't) there are oodles of american nannies in this area that would love adult interaction as well.

[Anonymous]

OP. I live in Dupont too but work FT. I have a 2yr & a 6mo old. I'd be happy to meet with you on a weekend sometime if you want. email me ([e-mail]) if interested.