I am so bored...

[WhoMadeAllTheMess]

DH works away. All the bloody time. DC’s are 13 and 11 and spend all their time in their rooms or out with their friends.

I am so, so bored of sitting on my own every night. I work part time so I exercise and do all the housework etc during the days I’m at home.

I’m looking for another job with more hours but need to be home to run the DC’s to after school activities, so haven’t found anything that fits yet.

Any ideas of things I can do in the evening? I am not remotely artistic, so anything crafty is out of the question.

I’m hoping someone can think of something I haven’t.

Looking forward to all your suggestions.

MN
Read
Watch boxsets
Go running
Hire a PT
Bake
Crosswords
Play on google maps/world

At that age you could leave them to their own devices some evenings. Go to a class, out with a friend to the cinema or for dinner.

Could you insist on one 'family night' a week and play a board game with the DC or all go out together to watch a movie or have dinner or bowling?

Go to a friend's house or to visit family, DC are old enough to be home alone for a couple of hours. Or have them over to visit you.

Do an online course with Future learn or similar.

Build a Lego model or do a 1000 piece Jigsaw.

Take up a musical instrument.

Get a dog and go for a nice walk and then enjoy snuggles!

Thanks for the suggestions. To be honest, I’m bored of looking at a screen. There’s only so much mumsnetting and box set watching you can do.

I do read. And I bake, but then I’m bored on my own and spend the evening shovelling whatever I’ve baked into my gob!

The DC’s aren’t keen being left on their own in the evenings, so going out isn’t really on the agenda at the moment.

I might have to be more insistent that the DC’s spend a bit of time with me.

We’ve got a dog who I take out for lovely long walks during the day but he sleeps after his dinner so is rubbish company!

I’ll have a look at some online courses. Might be able to broaden my job search if I get a different qualification.

Following with interest. Am a single parent and the evenings are soooo loooong

The kids and the dog need to up their game!

I would try and spend some time with the kids though, it'll be good for them as well as you. I know they need their own space when they're teenagers, but not alone in their rooms all evening, every evening.

They are, aren’t they, Simon. My screen time use is ridiculous because I spend hours looking at pointless stuff on my phone.

You need company. Visit your friends or have them round?

Could you set up an online business? Is there anything you are interested in that you could sell online?

I'm also bored of an evening, I'm currently alternating binge watching friends on Netflix and candy crush after the kids go to bed (8.30ish).

What about an exercise video? Wii fit/Zumba?

I think they do Nuff! I’ll give the DC’s a bit of grief tomorrow.

They do go out after school with their friends so they’re not just shut away in their rooms. We also have activities and sports training on up to 4 nights a week.

Generally, any attempt to make them engage with me is met with a grumpy 10 minutes before they strop off again. I do go out for a while with one of them and play a bit of football most evenings but there are still lots of unfilled hours in my own.

Sign up to zooniverse (screen time but with a purpose )

It’s tedious, isn’t it pass. I usually exercise in the mornings. I find myself making excuses if I leave it until later on.

Nothing spring to mind that I could set up a business doing.

And friends have their own lives. No one seems keen on doing anything during the week. They all have DPs at home and DC’s with different clubs, or younger ones that eat and go to bed much earlier.

@WhoMadeAllTheMess yep I burn through my phone battery so quick haha

I’m similar to you, Dh is away a lot and dc have left home, our lovely little dog also died last year so I’ve been so bored in the evening.

Not sure how I decided but I’ve signed up to two things- sewing classes and watercolur painting. I’m honesty the least artistic/creative person but I’m really enjoying it. Both classes are during the day, once a week and I have got so hooked I spend most of the evenings at the kitchen table either sewing (I’ve made two very simple dresses!) or painting(lots of stuff on YouTube as well as the classes).

Have a google for courses and see what comes up, you’ll find something which sparks your interest and make sure you can do it at home too.

Hadn’t thought of a daytime course. Will have a google. I’d love to be able to sew but previous efforts have not gone well! Maybe I could learn.

Am interested in photography actually too.

@LizzieSiddal thankyou. I’ve just googled my local college and they’ve got a couple of free 16 week distance learning courses that could be interesting. I’ve requested further info on 2 I like the look of.

If you fancy sewing my tips are to go on a beginners course, get the simplest pattern you can find and buy cheap material so it doesn’t matter if you make mistakes.
My first effort will only be worn around the house/garden but my second dress is great.

Thanks. Unfortunately the sewing courses don’t start until September but I’ve requested info on a nutrition course and a mental health for children course. Both looked interesting.

Glad you’ve found something.