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Original poster

To go out once a week as a mum of a 6 year old?

117 replies

Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:01

I'm a mum to the most wonderful 6 year old, who's a real mamas boy and would like to have me round constantly if he got the chance!

Through to chance and a few extra invites I've been out a bit more than usual recently (in the evening). Do you think that being out in the evening more than once a week with a young child is too much?

OP posts:
NoYourNameChanged · 20/01/2026 15:13

Gently, I agree that you need to get your 6 year old much more used to the idea of you going out.
This may sound a bit dramatic but I wouldn’t have a son of mine thinking he could dictate to a woman what she could and couldn’t do. He’ll be an adult one day, maybe with a family of his own, and the last thing we need is more men who think a wife and/or mothers place is at home!
Go out! Enjoy yourself! Be free!

arethereanyleftatall · 20/01/2026 15:12

This is such a strange post. Do you mean there isn’t another parent around to put him to bed or something? Wouldn’t he be asleep for most of it? WHY would you think this is not reasonable? I don’t get it.

GreenPoms · 20/01/2026 15:11

Your DH needs to step up and stone your 6 year old from whining. If he made an effort to make those nights really fun for your DS it would be much easier for him to

BakedAl · 20/01/2026 15:11

I did a post grad course when my youngest was 5 so was out until 9.30 once a week, term time for two years. My children survived and maybe realised that dads can look after their own offspring too.

ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:10

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:10

ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:07

Your husband and you need to tell your 6 year old to stop whining

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Haha, I think this might be the key here actually 🤣👌

OP posts:
HopSpringsEternal · 20/01/2026 15:09

Absolutely not too much. I go out far more than that now mine are older. On average I am out four evenings now they are teens (sport, choir, pub/cinema/parties etc). At your DSs age it was twice (sport/pub). It's probablybdcause your huaband never goes our it seems comparatively lots.

Baguetteandcheese · 20/01/2026 15:08

It is about men and women. Women have mum guilt, they tie themselves up in knots for contemplating having a life outside of their children. Men just go out. As mums we all too often lose our identity. Of course you can go out.

ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:07

Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:05

Nope, it's just because I have a lot of mum guilt. My husband goes out much much less than me and would never say anything

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Your husband and you need to tell your 6 year old to stop whining

user2848502016 · 20/01/2026 15:07

No it’s fine for you to have a break and some time to yourself, who looks after him when you’re out?

DaisyChain505 · 20/01/2026 15:07

Of course this is fine. It is healthy for you to still have a life and identity outside of being a mum and it’s healthy for your child to see you have good relationships with people.

I take it you live with your child’s father as you haven’t mentioned having to sort childcare for these social events so what’s the issue? Your child has two parents, by you making an issue about this you’re letting your child think that you’re the more superior parent and theres an issue when mummy leaves but not daddy.

ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:06

Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:04

It's not about men/ women at all, it's because my son would like me home constantly and complains when I do go out. People around me seem to go out much less than this so I've been asking myself if I was being unreasonable!

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Who’s he left with?

and you need to tell your DS to button it! Presumably he’s in bed anyway.

Unless you will drop you leave him alone or with a much despised grandparent

Original poster
Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:05

ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:03

Are you generally very unsure of yourself @Wonderinglike ?

Has anyone in RL made a comment to make you even ask this?

Nope, it's just because I have a lot of mum guilt. My husband goes out much much less than me and would never say anything

OP posts:
GreenPoms · 20/01/2026 15:04

No. Has someone told you that it is unreasonable?

Original poster
Wonderinglike · 20/01/2026 15:04

Baguetteandcheese · 20/01/2026 15:02

Um no.

Do you think men ask themselves this question?

Edited

It's not about men/ women at all, it's because my son would like me home constantly and complains when I do go out. People around me seem to go out much less than this so I've been asking myself if I was being unreasonable!

OP posts:
ThatZippyFinch · 20/01/2026 15:03

Are you generally very unsure of yourself @Wonderinglike ?

Has anyone in RL made a comment to make you even ask this?

Baguetteandcheese · 20/01/2026 15:02

Um no.

Do you think men ask themselves this question?