DEAR ABBY: We are in our late 40s and have two elementary school-age children. My husband and I are actively involved in our church and at our children's school. However, we have no friends we can just hang out with. We used to be part of a small group of friends from church, but one family had a falling out with the others. Somehow we got dragged into it, and now no one interacts with us anymore. The parents of our children's friends attend another church and have a group they're part of, but we are not.
When I was working, we could afford to have the kids in activities but there wasn't much time. Now that I am not working the time is there, but not the money. People our age have empty nests or are grandparents. We'd love to have friends, but we don't know how to resolve this. -- LEFT BEHIND IN SPARKS, NEV.
DEAR LEFT BEHIND: Why not invite your children's friends and their parents over? You already have something in common with them. If that doesn't work, a way to make new friends would be to sign your children up for affordable extra-curricular activities such as YMCA, YWCA, Little League or Scouting. That way, you'll meet other parents with similar interests. Another alternative would be for you and your husband to join a service club so you can meet others who contribute to the community. If you give it a try you will widen your circle of acquaintances, which can lead to friendships.