If you’ve ever looked at the Meetups section in the Frolo app and thought “That looks lovely… but I’m not sure I’d know anyone,” you’re definitely not alone.

Meeting new people in real life can feel daunting at the best of times. When you’re a single parent juggling work, childcare and everything else life throws at you, it can feel like even more of a leap.

One of our Frolo Community Champions recently shared a post after hosting a Meetup, saying that the drive there gave her “first date nerves.” She’d been chatting to people in the app for ages, but meeting everyone in person still felt like a big step.

It’s a feeling lots of people recognise. Walking into a café or turning up at a park to meet people you’ve only spoken to online can feel a bit like the first day at a new school.

But time and time again we hear the same thing afterwards – people are so glad they went.

Beyond simply meeting other single parents, Frolo Meetups often come with some unexpected benefits too.

1. The nerves disappear surprisingly quickly

The anticipation beforehand is often the hardest part.

But once people actually arrive, the awkward phase tends to pass much faster than you might expect. Because everyone there is navigating single parent life in some way, there’s already common ground.

Instead of struggling through small talk, conversations often jump straight into everyday realities – school runs, childcare logistics, funny parenting moments and shared frustrations. That sense of mutual understanding makes it much easier to relax.

2. You discover new places in your area

Meetups often happen in cafés, parks, pubs, walking routes or family-friendly spots suggested by members themselves.

That means they can be a great way to explore parts of your local area you might never have tried otherwise. A park you didn’t know about, a café you’ve always meant to visit, or a pub that turns out to be surprisingly child-friendly.

It’s a simple thing, but discovering new places through Meetups can make your local area feel a little bigger and more interesting.

3. It gets you out of the house

Single parent life can easily fall into a routine of school runs, work, errands and home again.

Meetups provide a gentle reason to break that pattern. Even something small like a coffee or a short walk can shift the rhythm of the week.

Sometimes just having a reason to get dressed, go somewhere new and talk to other adults can make the whole day feel different.

4. Your children can benefit too

Many Meetups welcome children, which can make them a relaxed way for families to connect.

Kids often quickly find each other in a park or playground setting, and it can be reassuring for them to meet other children whose families look similar to theirs.

For some children, especially those adjusting to changes in family structure, simply seeing other single parent families can help things feel more normal.

5. Connections grow naturally over time

Not every Meetup instantly turns into a close friendship, and that’s completely okay.

Often the real value comes from building familiarity. Seeing the same people at a few events, chatting occasionally in the app and gradually feeling part of a local community.

Over time, some of those connections deepen naturally. A coffee meetup might lead to a park walk, a playdate, or a spontaneous catch-up another week.

Friendships don’t always appear overnight, but Meetups create the space for them to grow.

6. You often leave feeling lighter than when you arrived

This is something many Frolo members notice after their first Meetup.

Even if you arrive feeling hesitant or unsure, spending time with people who understand single parent life can have a surprisingly uplifting effect.

There’s something powerful about being able to talk openly, laugh about the chaos of parenting and feel understood without needing to explain everything first.

Sometimes that couple of hours of connection is enough to change the tone of your whole week.

Thinking about joining your first Meetup?

If you’ve been considering it but feel a little unsure, you’re not alone. Those “first date nerves” are incredibly common.

But Frolo Meetups are designed to be relaxed and informal. They might be a coffee, a walk, a pub lunch or a playdate in the park. There’s no pressure and no expectations.

Just single parents meeting other single parents.

And often, that’s exactly what people need.

You can explore upcoming Meetups in the Frolo app – or why not start one yourself and see who turns up?

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