Hi Tamara,
I too find this difficult too. Most of the guys at work I can talk very freely with but the woman, some are very difficult. You would think having a common interest like work and children this would be easy but sometimes its just uncomfortable.
I love my own company but lately would like to have more female friends to go out with, learn something new. There are various websites that are for finding friends but my experience of them lately is that after a certain point, money is needed or some men just want me to talk dirty to them. (laughs)
I find that little steps in talking to people has helped. Like Ultimatelife, talk about things that interest yourself and see there is a common interest, if not try and find out what their interest are too.
I have found in the past that some people are just very hard to talk to, there is no connection and this is really ok. You will not find a common interest in everyone. Do not feel this is a negative against yourself.
All the best and always here is you need to talk.