[lake]

My heart goes out to you, LouisaMay, but promise us you won't give up! Someone with your drive and desire has too much to offer a group. You sound like an awesome person.

There are AIs on this board who have children and have still been matched to a group. Having a child doesn't automatically exclude you...just take the next several months to re-group and adjust to your new life, then when you find your groove you will know how to proceed again. I have seen many NPC alum groups that have activities for new moms or moms with babies/toddlers. Perhaps that could be a way to meet members and pursue AI again, and fulfill that need for "adult" time and companionship!

It took me a total of nearly five years to finally be asked to be a member of my new home. In that five years' time, for various personal reasons, I wasn't always able to pursue AI consistently, but when I was, I pursued it with gusto, and now I'm home.

Feel free to PM me if you want to chat more.