Having kids is like a double edged sword. It's true that all of a sudden there are many people to connect with, but everyone has their own style of parenting. I was surprised at how much parents gossiped about how other parents raised their kids. Everyone thinks they know the "best way" to parent. It gets so crazy you have to just laugh and shake your head. (Luckily my then husband and I had a very good sense of humor about other parents and kids. We laughed a lot, all the time, because all the kids were naturally wonderful and growing up quite normally despite all the micromanagement from the parents. )

I think as people get older its harder to have multi-faceted interests. People start getting separated because of incomes. Some people become very materialistic.

However, I think, always be on the look-out for those surprising grand friendships that happen unexpectedly. I have kept a few friends I made when our children were toddlers. One person is an artist and we always found a lot to talk about and do together besides just the children and husbands. Because of distance we are just Facebook friends but when I see pictures of her it just warms my heart. I know she feels the same about me. She is growing up and older as a beautiful, graceful artist and person. I guess you could say we have a heart connection that goes beyond place and time, but it comforts me and to this day brings me joy. That's my idea of a grand friendship!

Thank you for this thread. It has made me think about a lot of things, and it has been really really helpful for me. Stay open!