Too tired do anything the first day of being child free - is this normal?

[magicmallow]

I'm a LP and my mum has taken my DD (8) to stay at her house for the first time in months due to pandemic. I don't have a helpful co-parent so normally she is with me all the time.

I have tons of work to be getting on with but for the first day of freedom I always feel so tired and completely unable to do anything for a couple of days.

Is this a normal reaction to being child free for the first time in months? Does my body need a reset?

Or is it just me being lazy? (I do have some health issues linked to stress going on so could be that too).

It usually takes me a day or two to work up the energy to get back into my work flow, which is annoying because I just need to focus again now DD is away.

Blimey give yourself a break. Get some lovely food and wine and enjoy being child free. Watch crap in the tele and don’t get dressed.

That’s what I’d do if I ever had a child free day or week 😁

I feel exactly the same, OP. DD only sees her father a couple of times a year for a day or two. I have ALL THE PLANS and end up sleeping for 48 hours and then she is back and I've achieved nothing. The mental load involved in doing everything yourself becomes very heavy sometimes and a reset is exactly what you need. Do try and use the break to be a proper break, as well as time to get work done. And don't feel guilty about it.

Go with it OP and relax if you can! I'm not an LP but our DC go back to school on 3rd Sept and I've booked the day off so I can drop them off and go straight back to bed! This has been a long old slog - enjoy!

thank you everyone, I do always feel guilty about not doing anything. I sit and stare at the computer as if trying to find the will to get on with work but nothing comes and it feels a real waste of time.

It's so tough as I am always behind with work, particularly lately with lockdown and no childcare or school on. So feel I should be making the most of being child free.

It's like my body and mind refuses to play ball! But I do appreciate the necessity of rest also.

Completely normal

Relax, do whatever you want! If that means nothing go fo it

Completely normal OP. Don't beat yourself up with guilt. Enjoy the peace and quiet whilst you can.