How to enjoy child free nights!

[GoBrookeYourself]

First world problem, I know. Sorry in advance.

We have a 3 year old DS who has a sleepover at his granny’s house once a month, so from about 4pm until 3pm the next day. Every single time without fail, I overthink this; I start putting pressure on myself to sleep in which invariably leads to me pinging awake super early and not being able to get back to sleep. I feel anxious during the day about making ‘the most’ of the time with just me and DH and don’t know how to relax and just enjoy it!

Does anyone else do the same? Is it just me, am I just weird? I did have PND after DS was born but it settled down; started antidepressants at the back end of last year but I’ve been off them for a few months and apart from a low general feeling of anxiety (can’t pinpoint why), and some lethargy I’m fine mentally. So why can’t I just relax and enjoy it?! I never used to be like this pre kids!

Spend the day doing nothing and rest!!

I used to feel like I had to spend my child free time being super busy getting things done. One day I just spent the time in bed and it was lovely. So now I don't feel guilty about that.

Why don't you plan something small that you want to do each time, so that you have that organised in advance? That might make it easier to relax and go with the flow for the rest of the time, as you won't feel that your time is totally unstructured and be casting about wondering what to do with yourself to make the most of it.

porgy exactly, I feel like if I spend the day doing nothing I feel guilty for not using my time doing more productive things and if I do things I resent not resting. I need to stop overthinking everything!

Thank you thelightgetsin, we used to go to the cinema and a meal in the evening, but then I spend the rest of the night worrying I won’t make the most of my lie ins. I have a condition which means I use the bathroom a few times a night so feel perpetually tired anyway, so love the idea of a long lie in, it just doesn’t work that way.