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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To say I'm dreading Easter Bank Holidays ?

217 replies

Pappadontpreach80 · 26/03/2024 18:25

DH & 2 mid teen DC at home. They will game, maybe see mates etc. They are too young to be left at home all day alone. Me and DH are always around, even if we're in & out the house doing errands etc.

There is nothing going on this bank holiday. Its due to rain the whole time. DC refuse to go away (uk). They might come out for a day. I do not want to be stuck at home doing jobs the whole time. Which is what I do most weekends.

I'll go for a run, see local family etc but apart from that it's going to be be bloody boring. I could go out with friends but I would feel bad leaving DH at home, alone, bored on a bank hol weekend. I don't even know if my friends are around tbh.

What on earth am I going to do ?

Tbh, Friday night I just wanna piss off to the pub with DH. But a bit meh just the two of us. DC like us to be at home, even if they are gaming in their rooms. They like to know we are there. Boring.

Saturday we will go out with DC in the eve for food.

To add, DC don't do walks/ national trust/biking etc so anything like that is out of the question. We don't do the theatre. There's nothing on at the cinema.

Please can someone give me some inspiration. I can't face 4 days in the house/ doing jobs.

OP posts:
Sharptonguedwoman · 28/03/2024 17:56

5128gap · 26/03/2024 18:57

If budget allows (which if going away was an option it might) I'd do one day at a theme park (probably sunday as the quietest day), go bowling or mini golf before or after your meal on the Saturday, then Monday go for lunch and a walk with DH, leave at 12 back by 4 so not leaving them too long. Friday I'd potter, relax and do my usual things knowing I had stuff to do the other days.

I don't think they like theme parks and it's going to rain every day but Sunday.

mitogoshi · 28/03/2024 17:50

If they are old enough to be left go to the pub! Find a pub with music on perhaps

soupfiend · 28/03/2024 17:49

Has OP been back?

Sharptonguedwoman · 28/03/2024 17:48

BobnLen · 26/03/2024 18:37

Why are you doing all the jobs, don't they do any

I don't think it's that the DC can't or won't do the jobs, I thin OP is doing the jobs in order not to be paralytic with boredom.

Sunnydays0101 · 28/03/2024 17:45

We don't do clothes shopping other then online, neither of us drink tea or coffee, we don't read, we have no interest in the arts/theatre/cinema/NT/gigs/long walks (due to rain anyway)/nature reserves

So what is it you like to do ? Your 13 & 16 yo could be left alone for a morning or afternoon or evening if you and your DH wanted to go and do something, surely ? It’s irrelevant if your teens prefer you to be around, if yourself and your DH want to go out for a few hours, then go.

Temporaryname158 · 28/03/2024 17:32

If you normal weekend is made up of food shopping round various food shops, drinking and doing household jobs, it does sound like you do much on a normal weekend. And you seem to have a long list of things you are vetoing but not a long list of things you wish you had time for!

I think a bigger issue than this weekend is finding yourself some hobbies to do every week/weekend!

FrenchandSaunders · 28/03/2024 11:44

My DCs were babysitting neighbours kids at that age .... I don't see why you can't go to the pub or for a meal without them.

uncomfortablydumb53 · 27/03/2024 23:41

After reading your update, this phrase of mine came to mind
"Happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have.
The thoughts of boredom exist in your mind.
You have things to do, you have healthy DC.. appreciate what you have.

SecondHandFurniture · 27/03/2024 19:52

You can't spend your entire life either at work or doing housework/jobs/going to shops without being bored. I don't have any out-there hobbies but DH and I both read, have an unlimited cinema pass, have NT and a Longleat membership for DS, like board games/at-home escape rooms, enjoy horror and adventure games, love football, will often go for coffee... I can't really imagine the internal life of someone with absolutely zero interests apart from the gym.

ChaoticCrumble · 27/03/2024 19:25

Given: We don't do clothes shopping other then online, neither of us drink tea or coffee, we don't read, we have no interest in the arts/theatre/cinema/NT/gigs/long walks (due to rain anyway)/nature reserves and we don't have a dog)

I really think you should work on some new hobbies. You're always going to be bored if the only things you like are going out to see other people or watching TV (and I love TV so not judging that). You can't rely on others to give you freedom or entertainment. I'd honestly be reading books/internet on finding hobbies!

Do you have any life goal type things you could work into a hobby? What's your long-term vision for yourself? Even if it's something simple like having a cosy home and hosting parties, you could be cooking or decorating or reading about interior design. None of those things would be for me, particularly, but you have to seek out things you might love, not just things you already like/tolerate.

Mumof2teens79 · 27/03/2024 18:43

I am really struggling to reconcile your need for entertainment and insistence you can't stay at home and do jobs with your list of things you don't do or have no interest in?
I get that some people read loads, and others hardly ever but I have never known anyone just say they dislike reading or have no interest in it.
There is so much variety of Theatre shows and gigs....OK so you might not be a regular but to rule it out as you are just not interested?

I don't do those things every weekend, but I am rarely short of anything to do.....and If I am I don't complain....I enjoy the peace.

Polishedshoesalways · 27/03/2024 17:29

I don’t know if this helps you op with some ideas. As my dc are the same age. We are doing:

Thursday night: drinks with friends

Friday: lie in walk dogs - lunch in town followed by pedicure for me and teens are going to Waterstones to choose books. Dc2 needs new school shoes

Saturday: Going to see family for lunch

Sunday: Easter egg hunt for everyone. Late Easter lunch at local restaurant and shopping

Monday: lie in - dog walk. Spring clean house. Will try and tidy garden too. Teens to organise spring wardrobes and dh and I will pop out for cocktails at local Italian at 6pm before using fondue set for dinner ( would highly recommend this if you haven’t got one) great for fussy teens - board game or cards

MissyB1 · 27/03/2024 15:50

Ok so I've decided it's no use asking dh or teen, I just have to make plans or we will do nothing.

Firday - outlet shopping centre to buy ds new football boots, bit of browsing for me & Dh. Night out with dh.
Saturday - day out to a castle, it's dog friendly too thank goodness. Will take our own food.
Sunday - adult dc coming over, dh cooking a roast, I will do some baking.
Monday - Cinema to see new Ghostbusters film, dinner after at Nandos.

Madcats · 27/03/2024 15:42

DD is 16. Life seems to be a constant stream of birthday parties and film nights. She is overjoyed if DH and I are out for the evening.

Get the kids to plan a meal and (get DH to) teach them how to cook it.
Dig out some board games if you really do not want to venture too far.
Not particularly cheap, but is there an escape room or tenpin bowling nearby?

The weather is improving a little this weekend, but still cold. How about jumping on the train to the nearest big city?

Youdontevengohere · 27/03/2024 15:41

Pappadontpreach80 · 27/03/2024 11:03

@EasterBunnny weekends are usually:
Saturday AM: Go food shopping, put food away/clean out fridge & kitchen/bins out/washing on/house work. PM: maybe pop to local shops for things we need (that I cannot buy in supermarket) or go running/gym or general jobs indoors. EVE: drinks & food at home with DH and film/tv or go to see our friends for drinks.
Sunday: long lay in, may running or gym, see family, general jobs indoors, get sorted for the week ahead. EVE: drinks and food at home and TV/films either with/without DH
If it was sunny and hot then I would be in the garden all weekend in the sun. We would have BBQs. Our neighbour has a pool which they let us use in the summer.

What do you like doing? You said you are easily bored, but that’s not surprising if you don’t enjoy doing much.

Youdontevengohere · 27/03/2024 15:40

Your teens are massively ruling the roost aren’t they? They won’t come out with you for the day, but they don’t want you to go out either 🤷🏻‍♀️.
Pick something you’d like to do. Ask them if they’d like to come along. If they do, fab. If they don’t, then go and leave them at home gaming. There’s no way I’d be sitting around just so that I could be a ‘presence’ for my teens who spend all their time gaming.

pinkspeakers · 27/03/2024 15:37

We don't do clothes shopping other then online, neither of us drink tea or coffee, we don't read, we have no interest in the arts/theatre/cinema/NT/gigs/long walks (due to rain anyway)/nature reserves and we don't have a dog)

That's a very long list of things you don't like doing! What do you like doing OP? I think that seems to be the problem. I suspect if you knew, then you'd be able to do it (possibly leaving the teens behind).

Hoplolly · 27/03/2024 15:37

13 and 15 is not too young to be left. You don't have to go on a 10 hour road trip, but you could comfortably go out for 5/6 hours at that time. There are loads of things you could do.

GentlemanJay · 27/03/2024 15:33

Difficult age. Too young to be left but they won't go out to do stuff. I had this. It's was annoying for a few years.

neverbeenskiing · 27/03/2024 15:27

Tbh, Friday night I just wanna piss off to the pub with DH. But a bit meh just the two of us.

Why are you 'meh' about the idea of going to the pub just you and your DH? My kids are still small so being able to spontaneously go out for a drink with DH without having to sort a babysitter sounds like absolute bliss to me! I don't understand why you'd marry someone whose company you don't enjoy enough to look forward to an evening out just the two of you.

To be honest, OP you sound as though you're feeling "meh" about everything generally. You don't want to be stuck inside but you don't want to go out and do anything. You bemoan the fact that your DC have no interests or desire to go anywhere, but you don't seem to have any yourself. You want to go to the pub, but you don't want to go with your DH. You clearly don't know what you want.

WhoaJayShettybambalam · 27/03/2024 14:53

We don't do clothes shopping other then online, neither of us drink tea or coffee, we don't read, we have no interest in the arts/theatre/cinema/NT/gigs/long walks (due to rain anyway)/nature reserves and we don't have a dog)

Tbh you sound quite boring!

Is there anything that you do like?

DinaofCloud9 · 27/03/2024 14:48

So your 15 year old is in their bedroom gaming but expects you to be around?

Cheeky bugger. At that age you are perfectly entitled to go out.

It would be different if they actually wanted to socialise with you.

SugarMitts · 27/03/2024 14:37

To be honest you don’t sound bored you sound boring

Maybe it’s to branch out and try some new things, for the whole family

SugarMitts · 27/03/2024 14:32

13 & 15 year olds are too old for things like trampoline parks?? Since when?!

So you don’t like shopping, walking, cinema, theatre, museums, tea or coffee (?) … what about the other hundreds of things people have suggested OP? Bowling, crazy golf, skating, swimming, climbing, lunch?! Surely you eat lunch?!

BigPandaTinyDragon · 27/03/2024 13:44

God what a non-problem. Lots of people will be working this weekend or have genuine reasons why they can’t enjoy it. You sound quite boring and dismissive, no wonder your kids would prefer to sit in front of a screen. You also don’t sound very keen to either accept advice or come up with any new ideas without putting obstacles in the way.

In my experience you need some hobbies/interests - both shared with your partner or just for you - otherwise it’s very easy to drift apart as kids get older and you find they’re the only thing you’ve got in common.

Sorry if that sounds harsh but ffs count your blessings. People have made some good suggestions, why not just try one of them?

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