Friendships outside of work

**Cricket1** · 12-05-2007, 11:53 AM

Do any of you that work outside the home find that it's hard to get together with friends? I'm finding that I'm gravitating towards friendships with people I work with and it's hard to get together with my old friends.

I work retail at night and sometimes (maybe twice/month) a few people will get together after work (at 9-9:30) for drinks. It's fun to get to know people outside of work and I enjoy it. My kids go to bed at 7:30 and dh is usually goes to bed at 10. I never go to bed right when I get home on a usual night--I need time to wind down.

I work 3-4 nights per week so when a friend (an old one) wants to get together at night, I have a hard time because I feel like I'm away from my family most nights of the week. I don't want another night away from them.

Anyway--after all of this rambling, I guess what I'm wondering is how to maintain friendships when it's hard to get together with people. During the day is an option, but a rare one as everyone has kids that they are shuffling here, there and everywhere. Also, two of the ladies work part time during the day.

Thanks for listening!

**DAAC3DEC** · 12-05-2007, 11:56 AM

I really don't have time to go out with friends. I don't like to get out of my routine and I feel like I don't have enough time with my kids as it is so every minute I get I usually do something with them.

**VanVivCam** · 12-05-2007, 12:02 PM

alot of my friends don't have children (they tell me quit often that they do NOT want kids, which i think is sad. we all try to get together about twice a year for ADULT time...the rest of the time all fun and games with grown up must also be kid friendly

**Kitten20** · 12-05-2007, 12:02 PM

It is hard. When I am off of work, I am busy cleaning, running errands or doin' something else that needs to be done. If I am at home, I wanna stay at home and relax -- not go out.

Doesn't help at I work an overnight shift, so I am awake all night and asleep all day. I have an old H.S. friend who likes coming over to chat and watch movies, but I never seem to have time.

**yonksgirl** · 12-05-2007, 12:30 PM

I use to work outside of the house I know what you are saying. See if any of your old fiends are able to meet up with you after work one night instead of going out with you co-workers. I use to use Sunday afternoons too my hubby is way into football, so i would let the kids with him and meet up with a friend for a few hours.

**Cricket1** · 12-05-2007, 01:16 PM

Yonksgirl--that's a good idea...get together during a Sunday football game. It would have to be with the kids, but that's good.

NONE of them would ever be up for going out at 9:30 at night, so that's out of the question. I'm the same way, though. If someone called and asked me out on a night that I wasn't working and wanted to meet at 9:30, there is no way I would go! The thought of taking off my flannel pj's and going out into a cold New England night sounds like pure torture. LOL.

**Nantahala** · 12-05-2007, 01:18 PM

I don't have children but my two friends in town do so I often see them at night or do things with the families. Lately, we've been doing potlucks and hanging out playing Wii games.