What do you do in your free time??

[hopeishere]

DH has started a hobby (fell walking) and goes out in a Sunday morning. I get he wants to get fit but it eats into a huge chunk of the day. I don't want to go and DS wouldn't be able to go (disabled). I'm going to suggest he limits it to every other week.

I want to make the point I'm entitled to have time out too but can't think of anything to actually do. Don't want to go shopping. Nothing on at the cinema at the right time. I'm contemplating going for a walk or going swimming. Neither really appeal to be honest.

If I don't go out I'll just end up doing housework.

There is a big difference between what I would like to do in my free time and what I do.

What I would like to do:

• walk dogs along the downs and in the forest

-swim at the ebach -cinema -go horse riding -learn to sew my own clothes -cinema -take myself to the pub with a book -visit NH properties -plan holdiays

What I do

-housework
-homework with the Dcs
-cook (I love that though)
-feryr kids about

My DH also has a very labour intensive hobby that takes him out for 2 days every second weekend.

that word was *ferry kids about

Oh ... also other things I would like to do:

• redecorate the hosue (can't afford it)

-start a vegetable patch -travel travel - weekends away

• go to author talks at bookclubs

Huge list, yet I never seem motivated to do anything!

what do you like doing OP?

You shouldn't have to justify your downtime with a hobby if you don't want one. You deserve downtime as much as he does. Alternating weekends sounds like a reasonable compromise.

What do I do?

Sleep
Read
Cook
Watch tv on catch up
Walk
Browse charity shops

Sit down.

I go out fell running on a Saturday morning early. Dh goes cycling on a Sunday morning while I take dcs to swimming classes. We’re both back showered and ready to do something all together as a family right after lunch.

You should def go for a walk - take a podcast or audio book and stop off in a cafe at the end.

I do quite a bit of volunteering, I really enjoy it and meet like minded people. I've always done volunteering- different roles and different activities but it's such a good way to get out of the house and feel you are contributing to society, many of the activities I can do on my own and just fit in when I have spare time.

I also like walking, reading (joined a book club), meeting friends, browsing round different towns, will often drive somewhere 'new' just to look round, National Trust places, cinema - have finally been to the cinema on my own and it's absolutely great! Going to a nice coffee shop, again, happy to go alone.

Free time? What's that then?

Downtime doesn't have to be a hobby. Downtime can just be time by yourself.ike taking bairn out so you can have the house to yourself maybe.

I'm 47 and have just taken up horse riding. I absolutely love it, it's great exercise and gets me out and about on the fresh air.

I have an allotment, I don't do much over winter but it's great for me time Spring to Autumn.

DH and I have a rule of what's fair for one is fair for the other. He goes to the gym two nights a week, I got to the gym two nights a week.

In your situation, I would be biggering off out on Sunday all day. Even if it's just to sit in Costa and read your phone like you would at home.

Mine is talking shit on mumsnet

Why do you just end up doing housework?

Cant you sit and read a book, watch a film, catch up tv, (even mumsnet grin]), have a relaxing bath etc etc ; to try and limit your DH's free time and enjoyment of walking is really mean just because you can't think what to do with your own free time.

In my free time I:

Cycle
Walk in countryside
Browse charity shops
Coffee shop with a good book / paper
Projects at home eg paint / restore old furniture

Have recently got a sewing machine and would love to learn to sew, not had time yet.

What interests you op?

I don’t think one morning a weekend is unreasonable. DH has Saturday morning as his “free time” and I have Sunday morning. Afternoons (12 noon onwards) are family time. Obviously some weekends we forgo our hobbies if we want to do a day trip with DC eg a beach day in the summer. We are flexible and hobbies aren’t set in stone.

I think it’s so important parents have regular free time (genuine free time, not doing house work). Even if just 30 minutes.

to try and limit your DH's free time and enjoyment of walking is really mean just because you can't think what to do with your own free time.

Totally agree with this.

Read
Watch Netflix
Look for a new job online (inevitably fall into a rabbit hole)
Go to the gym
Window shop

Things I would like to do:

Read
Declutter the house
Chill out on the sofa with a box set
A long walk down the buggy-inaccessible footpaths
Have a long, hot bath
Get fully caught up on work (teacher)

What I actually do:

Chase round after the toddler
Life admin
Pick discarded blueberries/Cheerios/toast off the floor
Wash a gazillion dribble bibs
Put Bing on so I can sit down for ten minutes

I don't consider chores part of my free time.
Free time is time when I'm not scheduled/committed to doing something else, be that work, chores or dealing with the kids in some capacity (like ferrying to activities).

So proper free time:
Other than be on here?
Read (novels)
Fantasise about my next house move (in 14 months)
Meet up with friends
watch tv
Read (papers)
Craft workshops (wet felting and going to try basket weaving soon)
Swimming
Daydreaming
Napping!
Walking the dogs (which straddles the free tme/chore depending on the weather)
Work out (pilates, gym, yoga).

My kids are teens so have alot more free time now.

I like walking
Reading in a quite cafe
Excersize
Seeing friends

He needs to spend time with your little one and you have free time also marriage is a partnership!

In the end I went for a swim! Haven't done that in years so feel great.

In relation to DH free time - if he goes out walking it means there's no time for a family outing - we've NT membership and used to use it a lot but not since the walking started up.

I've realised recently that's I do find it hard to just chill in the house - I always see something that needs doing. I can relax in the evenings - I generally have a bath and read in bed.

I spend way too much time online! When this incredibly long spell of soggy weather eventually goes, I want to get out & walk on the stunning coastal footpaths & beaches here in Cornwall. I love gardens too

Well done on going for a swim. I was going to suggest gym classes. I've met some lovely regulars in a weekly class we all attend.