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Original poster

Could you make an activity that happens at 6pm on a week night?

63 replies

Barnyandella80 · 07/07/2020 10:25

I’m fed up with having lived in a town for almost ten years and still having no social life or friend locally.

Since lockdown has eased I’ve joined an exercise type activity that happens at 6pm on a week night. I’m loving it. For the first time in ages I have some social life and it’s brightened up my world.

But once DH and I are back in the office (currently WFH) I won’t be able to go. On the days I’m in the office I don’t get home in time, and even if I can arrange to WFH that day (which I think would be possible) DH would never be home in time to watch DS. (I wouldn’t trust a stranger to babysit and don’t know anyone I could ask).

I’m a bit gutted. DH thinks this is the norm and most people (with kids) probably couldn’t make an activity that happens 6pm on a weeeknight (it’s local not far to travel).

Could you?

OP posts:

chatwoo · 07/07/2020 12:08

Yes, when I was in the office, I could get to a 6pm class, if I left the office a bit earlier than usual (30min commute home, change clothes, then 5 min walk). But was a bit of a squeeze sometimes!

TeeBee · 07/07/2020 12:09

Not when the kids were little...not a chance. I could do it probably once a week now the kids are teenagers (single mum) but often don't finish working until then (WFH) so it would be a real push. Saying that, your health should be made a priority, the same as everyone else's, so its worth trying to make an effort to schedule exercise time. Mine is first thing before work before anyone else gets up.

NeedToKnow101 · 07/07/2020 12:14

Before lockdown not really an ideal time as I have a teen DS who doesn't need 'looking after' every evening, but I'm so hungry and have just got in from work.
Wonder if it's worth you asking if activity time could change to 7pm?

MrsJBaptiste · 07/07/2020 12:24

Yes, I used to leave work at 5pm and bomb it home and get to the gym for 6pm. It's stressful getting stuck in traffic though and needs more planning the night before to get my gym kit and food ready (as this would mean I wouldn't be eating until 8pm)

DH doesn't get home until 7pm some nights but I do have teenagers which makes things so much easier than with little ones.

sonypony · 07/07/2020 12:28

I could sometimes/often, but not reliably. So I’d do a pay as you go but not a pay for every week if you go or not type group.

BlueJava · 07/07/2020 12:32

No chance, when commuting I get back at 7:35pm or later as I commute into London.

MoggyMittens23 · 07/07/2020 12:41

No, DH never home before 7/8 and no one would be able to look after DC.

SunbathingDragon · 07/07/2020 12:43

Could your DH WFH on the same day so he can look after your DS or else change his hours slightly to ensure he is home and able to support you continuing to go?

BeanbagMcTavish · 07/07/2020 12:51

No, 6pm is a terrible time for an activity to start imo. 6pm is dinner time. Much better to start an hour or two later.

Thecurtainsofdestiny · 07/07/2020 14:03

I could now, but not when children were small.

NameChange84 · 07/07/2020 14:07

I’d prefer activities that start at 6pm.

Most of my hobbies start at 7, 7.30 or even 8 on a weeknight and don’t finish until 10.30 or 11pm. It’s hard to unwind and get to sleep straight away after and I have early starts due to a long commute so it ends up that I either have to prioritise hobbies or sleep. Pre lockdown I had hobbies on Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu nights finishing between 10pm and 11pm...I loved my hobbies and they really helped my mental health but I was struggling. Finishing around 8 or 9pm would have been amazing.

DelurkingAJ · 07/07/2020 14:33

Not regularly. I whisk through the door at 6pm when the DC are dropped to me three nights a week (DH collects the other two nights) so anywhere that was further away not a chance. And, frankly, where possible I want to be around to see DC for the couple of hours before bedtime. 8:30 is the earliest I’d want to routinely commit to something. 9 is better as it would give me a chance to eat properly.

InDubiousBattle · 07/07/2020 14:41

No, not pre lock down anyway, dp wouldn't be home to take over with the kids. Once in a while he could leave work early but not regularly. I really hope he can maintain some wfh after lock down, no commuting makes a big difference.

okiedokieme · 07/07/2020 14:42

6pm no problem. I get home about 5.20 normally. I used to go to a 5.30pm class

ThroughThoroughThoughTough · 07/07/2020 14:53

No way. Peak child activity pick up / drop off time, plus making / eating supper. And on the days I work I’m still in the office.

BobbinThreadbare123 · 07/07/2020 14:54

No, pre-Covid. Commute was too long. When I lived in a larger place more things ran in the later evenings. Now there's not that level of choice. I'm really hoping we keep the WFH flexibility so I can get fit without sacrificing sleep time!

SlipperyLizard · 07/07/2020 15:01

Nope, pre lockdown I finished work at 5:30 and it is at least an hour door to door, so 6pm would be a definite no. 6:30 perhaps if it was quite near the train station and I left early/was organised, but it would need to be something I really enjoyed to make the effort.

Witchend · 07/07/2020 15:05

If I really really wanted to, but it would be a bit of a hassle, so I wouldn't choose to do it weekly. I might do it on an irregular basis though.

RedskyAtnight · 07/07/2020 15:06

In terms of being home from work - yes. DH and I have actively chosen jobs with short commutes that allow good work/home balance.

In terms of being able to juggle it with other member of the family's commitments - possibly (I've had to rule out doing activities on some days of the week because as a family we already have too much on)

blackcat86 · 07/07/2020 15:11

It would be a struggle and even if I could make it I probably wouldn't as on work days that would mean me not seeing DD at all. I have to go straight from work to the activity and presuming the activity was an hour she would be asleep by the time I get home.

EllieQ · 07/07/2020 15:48

Work hours wouldn’t be an issue as I can finish at 5 and have a short (20 minutes) commute, but childcare is - DH isn’t home until 6, so l couldn’t go out until then.

Pre-Covid, I went to a book club that started at 6.30, but it was always a rush to have dinner early, then I’d leave at 6 just as DH came in. In some ways a later start would have been easier.

Purpleartichoke · 07/07/2020 15:54

Yes, I could make it, but I’ve made Major lifestyle choices to avoid having a long commute because it was really not good for me.

Aebj · 07/07/2020 15:56

Pre children 6 would be fine .
Younger kids was harder
As they get older it’s easier . I can leave them at home or their activity or they can make their own way to active and I pick them up.

BluebirdHill · 07/07/2020 16:05

Yes if I arranged it. DH and I do pick up different days and then it may be that we do more work from home in the evening if we've left the office early that day. Is there no way your DH could arrange to do this one day a week?

Ohnoducks · 07/07/2020 16:06

I run fitness classes, without a doubt our busiest classes are those that begin 6.15-7pm. I can fill a class that starts at 6.15pm very quickly, where one that starts at 7.30pm will take a lot of advertising

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