If you do a commute, how do you make it enjoyable?

[woolduvet]

My dd will be doing nearly a 2 hr commute soon (1 1/2 train plus getting to train station)
Never having commuted, or had such a long working day, how have you managed to make it workable/enjoyable.

Reading. You could get her a Kindle or Amazon Fire tablet for Christmas.

I'm reading the Discovery of Witches books at the moment and am hooked.

Sounds hellish. I do that commute once a week and that's enough. Bloody trains never run to time etc etc. But it's only 3 months after all ☺

And for me nothing can make it better. I cba to read on the train I just doze/ listen to music. I sometimes read in the morning, evening just too knackered.

Life/home admin. Organise to-do lists. Update calenders.

Book.

I do a 45 drive minimum each way - audible and podcasts are your friend.

If she's on a train a Kindle Fire thingy. I got mine on Black Friday last year and it was pretty cheap.

I don't have too long - 45 mins in the car, but enjoy Audiobooks. I find podcasts a bit boring, like listening to Radio 4 all the time. At least with an audiobook the plot keeps progressing.

You can get one book free with an Audible 30 day trial. Top tip: after you download your free book, go to Help and cancel your membership. They'll say are you sure? Here's another free book credit to sweeten the deal. You say, OK I'll stay..... Then dowoad your second book and immediately go to Help and Cancel Membership! Then cackle maniacally at having gotten 2 free Audiobooks in the space of 10 mins. MWAH HA HAAAAA!

Mine is 2 hours each way (been doing it for almost two years...)

Morning commute: drink tea from Contigo flask (the best, spillproof), eat my breakfast, put my makeup on, listen to podcast or TV catchup (Netflix,iPlayer), read a book.

Evening commute: use the Readly app (hundreds of magazines that you can download to your device so you can read even without an internet connection). I'm usually wiped out in the evenings so can just about manage a scroll through social media for a bit, read a magazine or two, and catch up on any Whatsapp group conversations I've missed.

Did it for 7 years, 1 h 45 each way, train.
Mornings, Kindle, coffee, headphones. Big scarf.
Evenings, snooze.

Now I do a 15 minute drive.
I actually miss my morning peace and quiet.

BBC Sounds app has podcasts which you can download. I also like my kindle, and doing small craft projects, like making little felt decorations.

Love my Thermos food flask, but for lunch more than breakfast. Breakfast I used to use an old, yoghurt pot, one of the squat ones and put yoghurt and jam in that, and then granola in another small pot so I could mix the two on the train. That or a bacon sandwich made the night before :p I have a travel coffee mug which is adequate, but I'd recommend getting one that's got a glass or metal inner as my plastic one somehow taints the tea and has gained a weird white bloom that I can't seem to get off.

Oh and lots of library services subscribe to RB digital, so you can read loads of magazines for free if you get a card for your local library.

Texting friends. Good chance to keep in touch with everyone, expecially if you like to put your phone away in the evening. Make to do lists. Study - go through the days learning. Watch downloaded telly or listen to podcasts. I like my commute!

Thanks everyone

I loved my commute. I really felt that it was completely guilt free time when I could indulge whatever hobby I had that wasn't invasive of others' space without thinking that I ought to be working, cleaning or doing some other chore. I loved knitting and crocheting, reading and studying for things that just interested me rather than being of practical use. Is there any kind of hobby like that which would interest her?

I think it's the thing I miss most about working since I have been at home full time with my sons although my last eight months of commuting were done with DS1 who attended my workplace nursery between my two maternity leaves and so I spent them playing pat-a-cake, reading Mr Men books and breastfeeding!

Google play on my phone and I count off the same dog walkers/people walking daily plus I look at some pretty fab houses.

i used to a lot of music, and read loads of books. If i was knackered, I'd sleep. If i had a lot on, i'd work by catching up on emails. Or I would stare out the window. Or figure out if the men in my carriage would be y-front or boxershort type.

I have a very nice friend named Ben Harris. He picks my 17 children form my house every day in his white van. There is no seats but plenty of room. Ben is a brilliant driver he has only run over 77 people. Unfortunately Ben only drops my 17 kids 200 ft from as he is not allowed any closer. @benisthebestmum

I actually miss commuting now I work from home. It was the only good reading time I got. I'd recommend books/audiobooks/podcasts.