Hello Everyone I'm new (",)

jo0o0o0o

Hi Everyone ,

I've moved to London from Birmingham with my 7yr old son about a year ago, basically to escape his 'dad' and his family. Its a fresh start for the both of us. I've started university here but at 26 all my classmates are 18/19 and a bit immature for me! So I haven't made any friends and its really lonely having no one to talk to. I haven't really talked to my 'friends' from Birmingham as I don't want them to give away my location to my ex (he was violent and possesive). I would like to make friends hopefully in London and meet up for afternoon tea and to take the children somewhere nice. I feel quite lost at the moment with nothing to do, I'm trying to find a job but its very hard to do so in London.

Best Wishes

Posted on: June 20, 2010 - 12:27pm

Louise

Parenting specialist

Hello jo0o0o0o

Welcome to One Space!

It is hard to move to a new area and make new friends and there is lots of support and information here. I know from your post that there are a few members you will have things in common with and they will be along to say hello soon. One of our regualr posters has been training to be a teacher whilst caring for her son and has had the same thing with the other students being much younger. Have a look at her thread here: www.onespace.org.uk/your-talk/forums/how-am-i-supposed-keep-juggling-all...

Also you might like to have a look at www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/

Keep posting, Jo, and we will keep supporting you.

Posted on: June 20, 2010 - 1:06pm

hazeleyes

Hi Jo, welcome along to One Space. Well done you for being brave enough to uproot, and get away from your violent and possessive ex. That must have been very difficult for you leaving behind friends etc. Also must be extremely hard not feeling able to ring them in case they give your whereabouts away.

How has your son settled in? Have you been able to make any friends via his school?

Please keep posting, and others will be along at some point to welcome you too.

What plans have you got today? The weather isn't brilliant is it, but at least it's not raining!!!

Take care, look forward to chatting and getting to know you.

Alison

Posted on: June 20, 2010 - 2:24pm

shortie2

Welcome alone. I hope you meet new friends and settle in probably soon. I hope your son is settling in ok.

wendy xx

Posted on: June 20, 2010 - 9:11pm

Anna

Parenting specialist

Hi jo0o0o0o

Great name!

Welcome to One Space, thanks for sharing a bit of your story.

Have you done the Freedom Programme? It is a course for empowering women who have lived through abuse and violence. Many women meet and make friends for life through this course.

As Louise mentioned, someone else is online who has just completed Uni and at the beginning found it really strange as everyone was so much younger and without responsibilities. But I think that changed eventually. What are you studying?

PS - Hi shortie2, long time no see, I hope you are well? :)

Posted on: June 21, 2010 - 5:06pm

sadsy

Hey Jo,

well done for getting so far.

What are you studying?

Hug sy

Posted on: June 23, 2010 - 2:08am

HelenT

Hi Jo,

Meeting new people can be really hard in a new city...expecially somewhere like London; which is so busy and fast (oh dear...I just read that back and I sound like I've never left my eighteenth century village!). What I mean is that the lifestyle is more rushed than in smaller cities. Have you tried volunteering with local charities? Its work (although not paid) and a great way to meet people, there are voluntary avenues in most sectors so you can find something relevant to your study if you like?

I went to uni while lone-parenting my small children and although it was tough it was soooo worth it! I must admit that I found most of the students hard to relate too and most days I had to remind myself at least once that I wasn't there to make friends I was there to improve life for me and my kids (there were a few tears shed through the years).

Hope to speak to you again on the site :)

HelenT

Posted on: June 24, 2010 - 8:36pm