how lonely ill be in 3 weeks as a SAHP

[Watford1990]

Like many of us the kids are going back to school in a few weeks but for me this is the first time ill be on my own for 6 hours a day as my youngest is starting in reception my eldest will be in year 2. I've been a SAHP since youngest was born as was made redundant. It's been difficult at times but I've loved it and now im starting to think how lonely and bored I'm going to be.

I always had it in my mind that I was going to try find work again but from what ive seen/heard it's going to be difficult to find the hours im after and even more so with how many people are currently looking for a new job.
I just don't know what route to go down my husband works full time so were lucky enough for me not needing to work but I just think I'm going to be so lonely and bored if I don't. But then on the other side of that it'll make life so much easier with school holidays /sickness etc

So basically are you a stay at home parent with school age children??? What do you do exactly to keep occupied in the day

Or are you working if so what hours how do you find it?

As much as i love the idea of constant cleaning sorting and tidying there's only so much you can do.

[AuntieStella]

Voluntary work

My usual roles are paused, but as you can see from many threads here there is still a need for Covid support for people who have to isolate immediately (close contact, symptomatic themselves, or travel quarantine) eg shopping, prescription pick up, dog walking. Some may want phone befrienders

Other volunteer organisations which have paused will be starting their pathways back to full activities in the autumn, and may need more pairs of hands

[OverTheRubicon]

There are a lot of voluntary organisations that would love your support - places like Homestart could be good.
Or alternatively you could look into any skills that you'd maybe like to develop for yourself or future job opportunities and look at volunteer opportunities that would help you to build these, or training courses (official and certified, free or cheap ones like Coursera) that could develop these.

I was a SAHM briefly until DH became very unwell, and am so glad that I had retained some skills - you just never know what life will throw at you.

[beachysandy81]

I've always fancied doing something like nails so would probably do a course in it and set up on a small scale. Would love to be in your position!!

[SpockPaperScissorsLizardRock]

The time goes very fast, I would just enjoy yourself for a bit if you can. I did some voluntary work 1 morning a week for the first year.

When my youngest was year 1 I got a job as a lunchtime supervisor at school and find between that, walking the dog, some housework and a small amount of time doing some freelance work I don't have a lot of time left.

[theneverendinglaundry]

I'm the same op, I have 3 and my youngest is starting reception.

I am going to try to find a job after Christmas, I think. Theres too much risk of schools having an outbreak and being closed for 2 weeks, and so if/when that happens I don't want to have to worry about childcare.

In the meantime I am not worried about being bored, I'm going to enjoy having some time to myself after 6 months of school closure!