Diaper Swappers

Kiliki · 01-23-2013, 08:36 AM

We homeschool, and we are going to meet some fellow homeschooling families in our area tomorrow at the zoo.

I am suddenly feeling socially awkward.

Maybe it's cause I haven't had to make any NEW friends in, like, 4 years, and I'm mostly accustomed to talking to kids all day. Maybe it's cause I'm GIGANTIC and really uncomfortable in my own skin... I feel FAT, not pregnant... I can *see* my double chin forming, and it makes me feel really self-conscious. Maybe it's cause I'm overwhelmed at everything else going on in my life...

Whatever it is, I'm suddenly thinking, "What the heck do I talk to these people about?" "What if my kids start acting like terrors?" "What if they find me strange?" "What if I AM strange!?" (

)

Any suggestions?

This is our first time branching out and meeting some people in a homeschooling group. I am excited and eager to meet new people. But I don't want to fumble around and make jokes that aren't funny, or laugh when I'm not supposed to, or say something stupid... I used to be a "people person" in my past life... WAAAAAAY back when, before kids. It's a little embarrassing that I am feeling so weird about this.

mibarra · 01-23-2013, 09:39 AM

Just go with it. You all have kids, you all homeschool, so there's a lot of common ground. Don't get yourself too worked up, it'll be fine!!

yucafrita · 01-23-2013, 09:50 AM

Hello there. I am VERY new to this site..like literally just signed up about 10 minutes ago.

However, just wanted to say that you will be fabulous and wonderful just as you are! I think the one thing people really want to see and that is often missed from our society is genuineness. Just be YOU and that's all people want to see!

ps...I'm sure their kids can be little terrors too!

I_run_with_scissors · 01-23-2013, 09:58 AM

i know what you mean! its so much harder to make new friends as an adult. Just relax, i bet you have tons of stuff to talk about with the other moms. Its kinda like a bandaid, sometimes you just need to rip it off and then its never as bad as you thought it would be.

have a great time at the zoo!!!

Only · 01-23-2013, 09:58 AM

Be yourself. Easier said than done. But, really, just be yourself. You always post thoughtful and nice responses on here and even when you disagree with others you are sincere and respectful. If you are that way on DS then I imagine you most likely are in real life and what's not to like about that?

As for the weight issue, have you considered losing weight? It may make you feel better and help your self esteem. I have recently been on a mission to lose the last of my pregnancy weight and I already lost 10 pounds which absolutely boosted my self esteem! It may be something to consider if it truly bothers you.

Kiliki · 01-23-2013, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Only

As for the weight issue, have you considered losing weight? It may make you feel better and help your self esteem. I have recently been on a mission to lose the last of my pregnancy weight and I already lost 10 pounds which absolutely boosted my self esteem! It may be something to consider if it truly bothers you.

This made me laugh!

YES! I am on an awesome diet!

I will be losing about 15-20 pounds in just one week's time in February/March sometime....

The other 15-20 pounds will be coming off shortly after, likely within 6-8 months after that.

...Or at least that's how it's worked for the last 3 kids I've had...

I'm 33 wks pregnant. I tend to get a fat face towards the end of pregnancy.... unfortunately.

I'm sorry, I could't help myself.

Btw... (i am such a jerk...)... thank you for saying all those nice things

UVASahm · 01-23-2013, 04:00 PM

I know exactly how you feel! I became a SAHM fairly recently and joined a couple of meetup groups to meet new people. I was SO scared to go at first, but now some of these ladies are my best friends and I am so much closer to them than to my "real" friends. Remember, you have A TON in common with these people by just having children of similar ages. And on top of that you all homeschool. I am sure you will be fine.

All they are going to ask about is the new baby anyway if they are anything like my mom friends.

cbreeding · 01-23-2013, 04:46 PM

After the fact, I found that the others felt just as nervous as I did. The kids are great buffers. Introduce yourself and your children. Mention something about the zoo - can't believe it's this busy, wow this place was a little tricky to find, we're so excited to meet other homeschoolers, etc.

Kiliki · 01-24-2013, 11:46 AM

we had a great time.

Thanks everyone for the advice!

mommyto3sweeties · 01-24-2013, 12:11 PM

I'm so glad it worked out and you had a great time!

01-23-2013, 08:36 AM	#1
Kiliki Registered Users Formerly: kr*y Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 8,529 Ratings: 280 Feedback:** 100%	We are going to go meet some new friends at the zoo.... I need some advice We homeschool, and we are going to meet some fellow homeschooling families in our area tomorrow at the zoo. I am suddenly feeling socially awkward. Maybe it's cause I haven't had to make any NEW friends in, like, 4 years, and I'm mostly accustomed to talking to kids all day. Maybe it's cause I'm GIGANTIC and really uncomfortable in my own skin... I feel FAT, not pregnant... I can see my double chin forming, and it makes me feel really self-conscious. Maybe it's cause I'm overwhelmed at everything else going on in my life... Whatever it is, I'm suddenly thinking, "What the heck do I talk to these people about?" "What if my kids start acting like terrors?" "What if they find me strange?" "What if I AM strange!?" ( ) Any suggestions? This is our first time branching out and meeting some people in a homeschooling group. I am excited and eager to meet new people. But I don't want to fumble around and make jokes that aren't funny, or laugh when I'm not supposed to, or say something stupid... I used to be a "people person" in my past life... WAAAAAAY back when, before kids. It's a little embarrassing that I am feeling so weird about this. __________________ Boy's NB - 3mos clothes * S/M Peanut Shell $15ppd * 12 mo girl clothes * 18-24 mo girl clothes * 2T-4T girl's clothes * Homebirth Supplies $25ppd

01-23-2013, 09:50 AM	#3
yucafrita Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 6	Re: We are going to go meet some new friends at the zoo.... I need some advice Hello there. I am VERY new to this site..like literally just signed up about 10 minutes ago. However, just wanted to say that you will be fabulous and wonderful just as you are! I think the one thing people really want to see and that is often missed from our society is genuineness. Just be YOU and that's all people want to see! ps...I'm sure their kids can be little terrors too!

01-23-2013, 09:58 AM	#4
I_run_with_scissors Registered Users Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 2,714 Ratings: 57 Feedback: 100%	Re: We are going to go meet some new friends at the zoo.... I need some advice i know what you mean! its so much harder to make new friends as an adult. Just relax, i bet you have tons of stuff to talk about with the other moms. Its kinda like a bandaid, sometimes you just need to rip it off and then its never as bad as you thought it would be. have a great time at the zoo!!! __________________ ISO/IHA

01-23-2013, 09:58 AM	#5
Only Registered Users Formerly: hurees Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7,978 Ratings: 144 Feedback:** 100%	Re: We are going to go meet some new friends at the zoo.... I need some advice Be yourself. Easier said than done. But, really, just be yourself. You always post thoughtful and nice responses on here and even when you disagree with others you are sincere and respectful. If you are that way on DS then I imagine you most likely are in real life and what's not to like about that? As for the weight issue, have you considered losing weight? It may make you feel better and help your self esteem. I have recently been on a mission to lose the last of my pregnancy weight and I already lost 10 pounds which absolutely boosted my self esteem! It may be something to consider if it truly bothers you. __________________ "You think that true love is the only thing that can crush your heart; that will take your life and light it up or destroy it. Then, you become a mother." Austen 06/12

01-23-2013, 04:00 PM	#7
UVASahm Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Va Posts: 990 Ratings: 35 Feedback: 100%	Re: We are going to go meet some new friends at the zoo.... I need some advice I know exactly how you feel! I became a SAHM fairly recently and joined a couple of meetup groups to meet new people. I was SO scared to go at first, but now some of these ladies are my best friends and I am so much closer to them than to my "real" friends. Remember, you have A TON in common with these people by just having children of similar ages. And on top of that you all homeschool. I am sure you will be fine. All they are going to ask about is the new baby anyway if they are anything like my mom friends. __________________ Loving wife to my gaming, sports loving hubbie. Sahm to J 2/12 expecting someone new Oct '13.