Please help me decide which class to do.

[AmericanHousewifeFan]

Hi. I've been working 50 hours a week, looking after 2 DC, endlessly (well it feels endless) driving DC to activities, cleaning, cooking etc. for 13 years. DH does do his bit, sometimes more than me but he does have a hobby that he does 3 times a week for approx 2.5hours a time.

I need to get out of the house ALONE for a few hours a week. I can't exercise so I can't do any classes or run etc. I was thinking maybe doing a language or musical instrument lessons. Has anyone leaned an instrument or done a language as an adult beginner? Is it really difficult?

If you know how to read music or you once did, then it is much easier to learn an instrument because it will come back to you. I learnt classical guitar as an adult.

Learn sign language. It’s great fun and you never know when you might meet someone who’s deaf.

Have done a new language and loved it- relaxed and fun. Not for everyone, some people found it confusing how the teacher tries to communicate as much as possible in the language and they said they’d rather memorise vocab by rote but majority really enjoyed it! A variety of ages and backgrounds. How about life drawing or a choir? I imagine a new instrument may feel quite pressured being one-to-one but that may be my unmusicality coming out. Good luck and enjoy whatever you choose!

Majestic I have a very very basic knowledge of written music. It's probably not a good idea then is it?

Purple that's a great idea. I would never have thought of that.

Cyber I have a basic knowledge of 2 languages so I was thinking of doing one of those. Maybe that would be the best type of class to do and maybe if my confidence improved I could do something else.

I'm useless at drawing. I think a class would bring back all the bad memories of art classes as a child. I'd love to be able to draw or paint but I'm just not good at it.

A good art teacher/class would make you enjoy art regardless of how "good" you'd been at it at school. But there are lots of creative things you could learn that aren't painting or drawing eg pottery, knitting/crochet.

Do you want to just be out of the house doing something or do you want it to also be a bit social? Would a book group be any good?

I should have said, there are always lots of adult beginners in BSL classes. We had a 60 year old in my level 1 class.

How about joining a choir? Great way to meet people, especially if you already read music.

I'd go for a massage instead.

I think a language is a good idea if you regularly travel to a country where it is spoken. I started learning French because we go to France several times a year, and I was embarrassed at how much of my school French I had forgotten.

I was lucky and found a really fun class with some great people, but it helps if you get the chance to use the language fairly regularly, and you do need the time to be able to do 'homework' in between lessons. You do need to work at it to make progress, or it can be a bit depressing.

Thanks all.

TheKitchenWitch I just don't have the confidence for anything arty.

I haven't thought about a social aspect. I suppose seeing as I don't have a lot of time for my friends at the moment I probably really shouldn't be making more IYKNIM.

Palominoo I have one booked for next week

TonTon I was thinking about Spanish as we are there (for holidays and work) 4/5 times a year.

I'll have to factor in the time for homework won't I?

Second the suggestion to join a choir - ours is a community choir and meets for 30 mins chat (optional) before 90 mins practice

I joined a choir. We meet once a week at 7.30 and then do the ocassional gig.

Thanks for the suggestions of joining a choir but I scare small children when I sing

Mindfulness course?

That's a great idea Thecurtains I did one years ago before DC. I forgot about that.