Here’s a new Parent Panel post from our favourite stay at home mum Emma.

Moving to a new town can be a big change to life, moving to a new town when you’re 8 months pregnant is an even bigger change. I knew no one other then my partner’s family & friends, friends who were changing xbox discs and not nappies.

When my partner went to work I felt lost, I feared how I was going to feel when the baby came along. How do you make new friends with a baby in tow? I could have visited friends on the train but it wasn’t that easy when you’re not far off from giving birth. Even when Oli came along I just couldn’t bear the thought of getting on a train with a pram and even if I could, most of my friends were busy with full time jobs.

I’ve always have been an ‘online’ person, I enjoy having social accounts and sharing my life with friends and family. Exchanging photos and conversations online have been the norm for me since I got my first own computer at 16. So it seemed natural to me once I’d given birth to check out what was online for new mothers. I found tons of pregnancy forums and websites via a simple google search. The first one I remember being the most useful was Netmums, they have a section called ‘Meet a Mum‘ which allows you to post and view meet up requests.

I took the plunge and posted something about how I was a new mum in a new town and knew nobody. I explained the age of my child and said how it would be nice to meet someone with children of similar age. A day later after posting this request I had a reply from someone who was willing to get to know me and meet up. It turned out she lived just down the road, we first met outside the local shop where she took me to a local baby group. I didn’t make just one friend that day, I made several.

It was at the same time as this that I decided to start my own online diary, I found a blogging application called Blogger which easily allowed me to write whatever I wanted and display it on a website. I had the option of keeping it private or inviting just close friends and family via email to read it, but I chose to make it public. What I didn’t know back then when I chose to let others see my online diary was what it would give me, what I have now, which is an online community full of friends.

It’s not just at the computer where these friendships have blossomed, I often meet up with these online friends at places like theme parks & zoos. We may not live close to one another but we don’t let this get in the way of our friendships. Just a few weeks ago I spent my birthday with a couple of close online friends. I really do think that forming friendships online has got me out more, it’s given Oli companionship as well as me, and it’s also helped to build my confidence.

Of course you have to remember that the world wide web can be just as dangerous as the real world*. Take precautions with what information you give out and if you plan on meeting someone that you have met online then make sure you do it in a public place and that you are accompanied by a friend.

*Have a look here for some online safety tips

Share your story with Emma in a comment below and you could win a Twist N’Pop. Last day for entry is Friday 19th Nov.

UPDATE: Congratulations Becky, you are our winner! Thanks to everyone who commented.

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