I've been furloughed until March! Kids aren't at home. What now?!

[MrsMiaWallis]

I've just found out I've been furloughed until March.

Two kids at uni and one at boarding school (this has all happened in the last month, dc bursary kid at local independent, wasn't supposed to board but due to covid he has been offered a full boarding place as the day option would mean he couldn't do the thing he went there for - music).

So I have the weird feeling of having nothing to do with my life until March!

Any ideas on what a 54 year old woman can do with her life until then?!

Watch tv

Enjoy, exercise, home improvements, new hobbies, holiday when out of lockdown, outdoor fitness classes, volunteer at local food bank, singing lessons, piano lessons, learn a new
Craft, learn to read music, learn a language, bake, see friends!

@Bleughbleughbleugh12

Watch tv

For 5 months?! Even I couldn't manage that.

Read. Volunteer. Catch up on anything you've been meaning to do.

Do a course? There are loads of online courses being offered atm.

volunteer at local food bank good idea!

I've always worked, full time for 35 years. It feels really weird.

Volunteer when allowed. Take up a new hobby. Relax, unwind and enjoy.

Catch up on anything you've been meaning to do

There literally isn't anything

Would you like to come and be my housekeeper/home help?? I’m out the house all day, as are the kids, so after some light cleaning and meal prep you have permission to watch daytime TV

Is it likely that you’ll be made redundant after that time? I’d think about how to use the time to make sure you’ve got a new plan if that is the case

@Rosie2000

Would you like to come and be my housekeeper/home help?? I’m out the house all day, as are the kids, so after some light cleaning and meal prep you have permission to watch daytime TV

I'm almost tempted! Except I'm shite at housework.

I'm slightly panicking about having to be at home all day.

I could write you a list here! Cleaning, sorting, decorating, getting the garden prepped for spring planting. Loads!

How about signing up for an online course? Something you have always wanted to learn.

Do a massive declutter of your house and do any redecorating you've had in mind.

Omg it sounds amazing I’m jealous

What are you bring furloughed from? May give us some ideas?

@Sunshine1235

Is it likely that you’ll be made redundant after that time? I’d think about how to use the time to make sure you’ve got a new plan if that is the case

I'd think that was very unlikely, but you are right, worth thinking about.

I would look at what other career options you have - just in case your industry/company doesn’t recover. Look at wha thins are needed and do a course to train or gain skills in that area?
Volunteer.
Take up a hobby - craft etc
Work your way through a reading list.
Sort through every cupboard etc in your house.

I would enjoy strolling round garden centres, long walks, trying new foods, reading without interruption, long candle lit baths in the evening, do an online course, learn a new skill: can you sew? Learn a language; Duolingo or the like?
Enjoy OP, after 35 years FT, you’ve earned the break!

Clear out the loft

How come furloughed until March? How does that work?

@Himalayansalt

How come furloughed until March? How does that work?

The furlough scheme has been extended until March.

Exercise, read, watch some films and boxsets, regular volunteer work.

Walk.

Volunteer

Eat

I need to lose a stone and my house could do with a deep clean.

Neither of those sounds like fun tbh.

Are you empathetic and would you like to help people in distress? You could train to be a Shout volunteer
giveusashout.org/volunteer-shout/