Single mom should find friends like kid

Dear Amy: My husband left me five years ago. I am now a divorced single mom.

I am also an only child and am fairly introverted.

I find it so hard when I see other happy families together, I want nothing more than to have someone to share my life with. I envision myself growing old with no one but a dog.

I am a fun person! But I am not a social butterfly and I am certainly not into the whole dating online thing.

The only people I hang around with are my parents.

I don’t want to appear desperate, but how do adults in their 40s make friends? It was so much easier when you were little and could just walk up to someone and ask, “Hey, do you want to be friends?” — Lonely

Dear Lonely: You mention a dog as something of a worstcase scenario, but my first suggestion is that if you don’t already have one, you should consider adopting a compatible canine pal.

Yes, dogs are awesome comforters and companions, but dogs are also people magnets.

You describe yourself as an introvert who also wants to meet new friends, and one great aspect of having a dog in your life is that a dog will serve as both a conversation starter and a focal point while two or more humans are glancing their way. When you have a dog with you, you don’t have to make eye contact with another human — until you are ready. The dog soaks up all of that otherwise awkward attention.

You should also do your best to connect with other parents, especially other single moms. Other divorced parents will understand your needs and challenges.

And, to answer your last concern, one of my (now) closest friends first walked up to me in our daughters’ kindergarten class and said, “You seem nice. Do you want to be friends?” Rocking it kindergarten-style!