Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it ok to have a lazy day

60 replies

honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:02

Been a truly lazy day today. PJs til noon. Rain all day. Dh has just taken the toddler for a quick walk to get some air in between the showers. Tween is now complaining he's bored and has been on screens most of the day. Even though I know it's fine once in a while I still feel guilty for being lazy.
Tween does ordinarily love to be outdoors but it's so wet he can't even go in the garden.

OP posts:
shivbo2014 · 28/04/2024 17:01

If it makes you feel better my 4 year old has gone between playing minecraft and watching others play minecraft most of the day, with a little break for lunch and a couple of board games. My 9 year old has watched Wednesday and done some arts and crafts. I have a terrible toothache and have been sorting out daughters bedroom for redecorating so haven't done much parenting either.

LeedsZebra90 · 28/04/2024 16:50

The fact that you have said he doesn't know what to do with himself cause he is always entertained (or words to that effect) suggest it isn't just OK, it's necessary. Being able to find your own fun and be comfortable your own is a massive life skill. So enjoy your day!

FedUpMumof10YO · 28/04/2024 16:47

Chance would be a fine thing. It's non bloody stop all the time.

PonyPatter44 · 28/04/2024 16:45

Football in the house??? Not a bloody chance. Send him out into the garden.

GalileoHumpkins · 28/04/2024 16:42

Why is this even a question?

Rhabarberbarbara · 28/04/2024 16:42

It’s good for kids to be bored sometimes and have to come up with their own entertainment. Don’t feel guilty

FlyingPizzaMonkey · 28/04/2024 16:39

Even as a teenager I sometimes preferred my own company, just being in my room reading or listening to the radio or whatever. Kids don’t always want to be made to do something.

Mine have mostly been entertaining themselves today, we’ve just played a game and now they’re watching the football.

CarInsurance · 28/04/2024 16:14

I used to get this a lot when I was younger. Spent a weekend with a friend and her husband bored out of my mind because all they wanted to do was watch Netflix and series I hadn't watched because I never watched much TV.

FFWD to 40's and I love do nothing days. I can now watch complete tripe for a whole day just to pass time quite happily. I think it is harder with young kids partly because they just don't want to do nothing and the mum guilt of not keeping them "learning" in whatever capacity you can creeps up.

It's a balance but no, one day every few weeks or every week of being calm and entertaining themselves will not hurt them and may even give good habits around down time and organising their own time.

BlackCat007 · 28/04/2024 16:11

I’ve done one load of washing and I’m still in my nightie watching tv. Nothing wrong with it x

fieldsofbutterflies · 28/04/2024 16:01

honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:52

Just because I haven't done anything with them and basically left them to entertain themselves but I suppose as long as they are warm and fed it won't do any harm.

That's not lazy parenting - especially as you don't do it everyday.

It should be normal for your kids to be left to their own devices - ideally several times a week. It shouldn't be something that only happens once a decade.

Desperatelyneedabreak · 28/04/2024 15:59

Wow lucky you my preteens hate leaving the house!

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:58

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:55

But you don't have to do anything with them all the time, I mean the toddler will need amused and supervision but they can still potter about. If your eldest is bored what is he doing about it.

Currently dribbling a football around his bedroom 😂

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:55

But you don't have to do anything with them all the time, I mean the toddler will need amused and supervision but they can still potter about. If your eldest is bored what is he doing about it.

Applescruffle · 28/04/2024 15:54

Come on OP, put some effort in

If you're going to have a lazy day, you don't get out of your PJs at noon, you wait until at least 2pm, if at all. And a walk?!

8/10 for lazy day efforts 😜

We are having a lazy day today. Its been very pleasant. Friday after school and all of yesterday was filles with activities and fun stuff and we didn't get home until late last night. DH is playing computer games, DS has decided to rewatch an entire series he enjoyed a few years back. Neither of the kids are dressed although DH and I are. DD said she was going to get dressed out of her onsie about 2:30pm but must have got distracted as I have just peeked in on her and she is playing in her room with her barbies, completly naked 😄 I am netflixing and mumsnetting on the sofa
No fucks given. Its your day, do as you all please.

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:52

Just because I haven't done anything with them and basically left them to entertain themselves but I suppose as long as they are warm and fed it won't do any harm.

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 28/04/2024 15:47

honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:44

I'm fine with a lazy day I just feel bad that it's been a lazy parenting day I suppose.

What makes you think it's lazy parenting?

BirthdayRainbow · 28/04/2024 15:47

But it's not. You're job is to teach your kids to be okay with their own company and to be able to entertain themselves.

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:47

How is hanging about the house lazy parenting?

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:44

I'm fine with a lazy day I just feel bad that it's been a lazy parenting day I suppose.

OP posts:
BirthdayRainbow · 28/04/2024 15:37

Is the faux insecurity or do you genuinely not know that sometimes everyone needs to be bored, quiet, not entertained by someone else all the time?

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:34

You know it's fine for him to be a bit bored he could have gone with his dad if he was that bored, you are not the in-house entertainment!

shoppingshamed · 28/04/2024 15:32

Have you had a child for more than 10 years and not had a day of doing nothing?

That can't be true can it? Children have to learn to amuse themselves without parents

fieldsofbutterflies · 28/04/2024 15:31

Of course it is - why on earth wouldn't it be?

I do it at least once a week.

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:29

Crunchymum · 28/04/2024 15:19

We regularly have lazy days in the winter. However I do limit screen time (mine would spend all day on the ipad otherwise!)

I don't really understand why you need to ask if this is okay?

Just because I feel like in our free family time we should be doing more. Not necessarily big family days out but spending quality time together. I'd probably have felt better if we'd played a board game or something but I can't even be arsed with that today. I've done some washing and ironing, we will have a roast later and the kids have very much been left to their own devices (literally).

OP posts:
EveryOtherNameTaken · 28/04/2024 15:26

I think it's great for your health to have a totally lazy day. Just thanking yourself for all the work you've done all week 😁

Swipe left for the next trending thread