Being the new girl

So we've moved to Tewkesbury and Jamie has just started at preschool, which is a 5 minute walk away. In just about every way, it's better than being in Cheltenham - fab house, lovely, quiet area, huge garden, much closer to the preschool (and school). However, there is one aspect of moving that I'm finding hard, and that's being the new girl. In Cheltenham, I already knew a few of the mums when Jamie started playgroup, and had lots of other friends who I saw regularly, many of whom lived close by. I then got to know a few of the other mums at playgroup, not as close friends, but at least as someone to say hello to and have a quick chat at drop off and pick up time.

Now though, I know no one, and a few weeks in, I'm finding it hard to get chatting to the preschool mums and dads. I'm not the most socially confident or outgoing person, so I've just been trying to smile and say hello each day. There's a small playground next to the preschool, and most of the kids and parents go there for a while after preschool has finished, so we've been going along as well. But it's hard. For the first few days, no one spoke to me at all and it seemed as though they all knew each other really well...I wondered how I'd ever get to know any of them..I did get talking to one mum, and she seemed really nice, but I suppose it takes time to get to know people and I just need to keep being friendly and hopefully I'll click with a few people. I'm still seeing my friends from Cheltenham and elsewhere, but it's not as easy now that we're a car journey away.

Perhaps as Jamie begins to make friends, I'll get to know their parents and can have them over to play sometimes. I've started taking Daisy (and Jamie!) to the toddler group once a week, so hopefully I'll get to know some of the parents who have kids Daisy's age. I've also volunteered to be on the preschool committee, which I hope will be a good way to get more involved with the preschool and the community as well. I'm sure I'll feel more settled once I know a few people, just need to give it time!