To ask how long can you all keep it tight before you need a blow out?

I agree also - and I’m the same! Dinner / drinks is great but for a proper crazy night / letting loose it doesn’t hit the spot.

I find I need a wild night every few months to be able to do the other responsible stuff too otherwise I go a bit stir crazy and that’s not helpful to anyone! I also find now (46) I enjoy a day to myself too and regularly take myself off to a spa for the day to chill and hear my own thoughts.

I hear you, OP. I hear you 🍸

Life isn't fair OP.
I know people who work minimum hours yet have a lovely lifestyle funded by their partners. Others who have to work fingers to the bone to keep their house, poor health, endless setbacks.

I don't know what to suggest but it's hard. Life is very hard and unfair.

Yes, we get advised to have a glass of wine and a natter, or go on a spa day. Sedate yourselves more, mothers

Those things have their place, and are nice for calming down, but not for letting loose.

Great thread, OP. Everyone needs some time off sometimes. I remember when DCs were small, being asked what I would really like to do, just for myself. I honestly didn't know. It was so long since I had put myself first. It was several years before I could think of an answer to that question. It sounds as if you have an idea of what you want & need on your time off. Go for it, you have earned it & you deserve it.

Approx every 4 months for me.

I start to feel frustrated, can't sleep well, everything just pisses me off. That's when I know I need to book some time off work and blow off some steam.

I'm almost there. 3 more weeks until my break - woohoo!!!

Having a big walk, dancing in the moonlight, pramcing round the house dressed as a devil or a camel are all easy enough to do when with kids. Why don't you, and what stops you from going out raving too? We have a mum group that does a something every month or two; might be sedate pub or unsedate clubbing, other times a couple bring the kids and we pile them all into DS bed while we party downstairs. DH and I get a night out every 3-6 months or so to go wild. There are options if you look for them. We had a kid later so had done most of our travel and partying, maybe it's harder for younger mums who didn't get the chance to live before kids.

I let my dc run feral all summer, go barefoot, scavenge for food in the cupboards, stay up as late as they please. It’s the time to shave heads, game for 36 hours straight and wear whatever feels comfy, Learned the value of pulling back from society during lockdown. It makes it easier for all of us to mask up during term time. I don’t think the odd medieval festival would be enough for me.

I haven't got kids but have NEVER worried about being a nice person.

Afuckingmen to that
I am very responsible. Responsible for self. Responsible for job & colleagues. Responsibility coming out my pores. Composed and reliable. Go to person Blah blah. But I’m also a contrarian at heart
So, 1-2 time a year take AL sort the kids and I have a mad one, hang out with dp and mates, socialise til wee hours,eat junk food, go to bars in afternoon leave at silly o’clock, go to graveyards for a spooky walk, argue about politics. I need that vent. Its mine and I treasure it

I've had a significant birthday this year and been to lots of parties. I have so loved dancing again and feel like it's something we all need to do more of. Have organised with some friends to go clubbing. There's quite a few that start in the afternoon and are over by 10 which sound very reasonable while still ticking the box.

Whitby hold a weekend every year where everyone dresses up as Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean. We didn't know this . Bit of a surprise to walk round a corner in the beautiful harbour and be confronted by 100 pirate Jacks.

I think a lot of mums feel this way sometimes (i know myself and friends do).
I always find a trip to a theme park helps (Disney etc) to release some of the adrenalin i'm searching for.
I have another friend who goes to remote mountains and eats some shrooms! that's her release
And in case you're looking for something truly wild, there's always burning man...

I have a friend who does this. Books an air bnb for the weekend, goes with her partner and some friends, they take recereational drugs and drink and party on all weekend. She’s early 50s and Oxbridge educated. I’m not judging.

I'm enjoying the image of you with your little mice friends.

A quarter of the population are on anti depressants- probably a higher number of mums.

We're sedated.

This is what 18-30s holidays are for?

I hear you OP!

I hate having to be sensible and patient and responsible and put others first all the time.

I go to gigs. Jump about. Lose myself in the loud.

For starters, could you put on some of your favourite power music and dance around the room for a while!

Completely with you OP.
I often feel the same way- I have mice friends who love a catch up over dinner, wine, coffee, brunch etc but it just doesn’t always hit the spot.
No one seems to feel the same and most friends just claim they are tired or too old for all that or like an early night.
I think, looking deeper I miss the freedom and fun and hedonistic feeling of youth. When going crazy was normal, expected and we used to laugh and laugh, there were hardly any responsibilities

Prime candidate for an ayahuasca retreat