Is it ok to have a lazy day

@honeyb33

Totally 💯 per cent yes 👏🏿 yes 👏🏿 🙌 👌

Agree

At what age realistically can you start to do this from? Have two under three and am excited for the days when I can just chlll out and let them be!

See green shoots of it coming with my DD2 as she is starting to potter about a lot more but there is still a fair amount of the day redirecting her away from trouble!

Been a very lazy weekend here. Haven’t stepped outside at all as DS was poorly yesterday. He’s better today but it was raining heavy so we didn’t get out of our PJs. Bliss!

I know what you mean and I am neither neurotic nor anxious! But mainly as my youngest is 2 and as much as I often do just fancy a lazy day especially today where the weathers been rubbish, it just isn’t that easy with him. It’s often easier to be out and about in the fresh air with him as otherwise he just wants to cause chaos, snack constantly or just watch TV!

Of course, do what I did and every day is a 'lazy day' now.

(Nice pension in the pipeline too.)

I actively plan lazy days into our schedule because we were all burnt out. It’s hard getting over the guilt - dm never bloody sat down and was dressed by 8am every day. We run our house differently. We both work full time, have 3 dc at secondary and I’m studying for a masters level qualification. Overall, I’m not lazy but it’s necessary to be lazy sometimes.

I think there's a lot to be said for doing bugger all sometimes. I went round to speak to a neighbour just before midday and she was in her dressing gown. I felt awful for having interrupted her Sunday veg-out!

I have a lazy day every day.

It is good for kids to learn the world doesn’t always revolve around them and to think and fend for themselves sometimes.

Left DP on their own to mange daily life and I got up late, showered, loungewear on. Watched a couple of episodes of a series I’ve been watching, then watched football and am planning on stir fry for dinner as it’s quick. Did a load of washing and wrote an email I’ve been putting off but otherwise I’ve done nothing it’s bliss. I might have a bath later 😃

I’ve had a long shit week at work and next week won’t be any different so why not.

I love lazy days and have them once every few weeks, this morning DH ordered breakfast from deliveroo, DS (4) and I stayed in our PJs until noon. We’ve had the TV on in the background whilst DS plays with his small world toys, colouring book and stylist. I’ve read my book, doom scrolled and gotten everything ready for nursery/work tomorrow. Children cannot be constantly entertained, they need to learn to have downtime and that’s ok. We can’t be productive every day.

I think it's not brilliant parenting to keep them constantly occupied and not let them have a day occasionally where they have to entertain themselves to be honest! You're doing them a favour - it's good parenting to let them learn to occupy themselves!

If it works for you and you’re all happy then it’s fine! I know people who spend every Sunday having a very lazy day! I can’t do it because it impacts my mental health, I end up feeling awful for the next day or two. My DH could happily lie in bed til 2pm!

I’m everyone else. This is a totally normal thing to do.

I don’t get the ‘parenting’ thing, you are running a house and home, it’s non stop with school, work and household tasks.
You should be taking days off. Regularly.

I hear you, OP. I'm quite anxious myself but I took one look out the window this morning and wrote the day off as a ''film day''.

I have a 90/10 rule - if 90% of my time feels/is productive, I can let my hair down for the other 10%.

Not only will it not do them harm it’s actually good for them!!

You only need to read the threads on MN to see how judgey people can be about that.

And what do you think their children are doing whilst they're on their phones casting judgment on other people's parenting..?

There are plenty of people on here who talk shit. Don't base your life choices on what posters on MN say. You don't even know what they look like let alone whether they're being honest or not!

Growing up in the 1980s and 1990s I had to entertain myself because my parents were always preoccupied! I used to love reading and writing and basically doing stuff in my bedroom alone. It's not good for kids to think they have to depend on their parents to entertain them every minute of every day.

Come on, OP.

Is this really another thread where people are struggling to make grown up decisions for themselves?

I've had three really busy weekends on the trot. Next weekend, I am planning to do precisely fuck all. The following weekend will be busy-ish too.

I consider it a win if I spend all day Sunday in my pj's. I don't feel guilty about it! And I certainly don't need validation from anyone else that I can choose to spend my free time how I wish.

I hope so because we've hardly done anything this weekend.
Yesterday dh was ill so we watched a film and binged watched a series.
Today nipped out to the shops then came home and made a roast chicken Sunday dinner.

I could have written this OP. I struggle with massive anxiety and guilt over doing nothing. Loads of people will be along to say it’s normal/necessay and I get this in theory but boy do I beat myself up for doing nothing. It seems profoundly wrong at some really fundamental level.

I think it’s a hangover from my childhood: my parents would really guilt me about doing nothing and would walk into the room and turn the tv off if we were watching anything non educational.

I now recognise their approach was a bit nuts but it’s really hard-wired into me that there’s something morally suspect and feckless about doing nothing. A day watching TV is unbearably stressful for me: it makes me feel a bit unwell.

It's character building...they'll be fine finding their own entertainment.

Everyone should rest up...
If you don't pick a day to relax your body will decide for you.

Are you neurotic? Have chronic anxiety?

You seem to have a very distorted view of family time. If you honestly need to ask whether it's ok to have a lazy day, then I would suggest that there is something seriously wrong.

I have been sat on the sofa since about 1.30pm, last time I did this was out of necessity due to illness so it’s a real treat!