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Empty Nesters

14 replies

Teabag55 · 01/08/2021 16:40

Just having a quiet weekend here at home here. We've been for a walk, done some chores, had a nice lunch, watched a film. Not working today.
Spoken to adult DCs on phone, also elderly MIL.
I know we could go out at do something interesting, but not sure what. Bit late for this weekend, but thinking about next.
What do other empty nester do at weekends?
Looking for inspiration Smile

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lannistunut · 01/08/2021 16:42

I am not an empty nester yet but am preparing in earnest now, and my plan is to get back into the political campaigning I didn't have time to do once I had children.

Also I really hope to learn to sew clothes as I hate shopping!

lannistunut · 01/08/2021 16:43

I am quite nervous about this next phase though.

Teabag55 · 01/08/2021 16:59

That sounds like a good plan! I remember being desperate for some time to myself (well ourselves) but today I'm feeling a bit bored and flat.

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lannistunut · 01/08/2021 17:03

I want to slow the time down but it is coming up quite fast now Sad

lannistunut · 01/08/2021 17:04

How long is it since your nest actually emptied btw? Are you used to it yet or is the flat feeling maybe because it is new?

BananaMilkshakeWithCream · 02/08/2021 06:01

My nest is semi empty as DS is living 50/50 with us and his girlfriend. He’s just been gone the last week and it’s so strange not having him around. Not looking forward to the full time empty nest so I definitely sympathise.

Teabag55 · 02/08/2021 10:02

@lannistunut

How long is it since your nest actually emptied btw? Are you used to it yet or is the flat feeling maybe because it is new?
Sorry, I didn't see this. They've come and gone a bit, but now late 20s so properly flown now. I think I was just a bit bored yesterday. Despite lockdown being fairly easy on us, it does all catch up I think. We've got stuck in a bit of a lazy mindset. We both have friends and hobbies so there's no excuse really. I was just wondering what other slightly older child free people do after years of life being a whirlwind.
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Teabag55 · 02/08/2021 10:06

It's a funny feeling isn't it, knowing your job is more or less done, isn't it?
Mostly it is nice, and we see each other and speak on phone or text regularly. I just have this feeling that we ought to be making life more exciting. Otherwise I could while away my weekends reading mumsnet and watching TV, and I'm not really ready for that!

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Teabag55 · 02/08/2021 10:06

Sorry that second post was @BananaMilkshakeWithCream I forgot to tag you!

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BarbaraofSeville · 02/08/2021 10:13

Go out for proper walks as in drive to ones of the national parks about an hour away and walk a few miles up a hill and have a picnic/pub lunch afterwards.

Same as above but with mountain bikes.

Visit country parks, sculpture parks, gardens museums, national trust or English Heritage places, coast, road trip across the moors to stop at the little heritage sites (old mines, roman roads, viewpoints etc). Have a wander round, pub lunch etc etc. Usually out for most of the day.

I do something like the above at least once every weekend. Sometimes DP comes with me, sometimes I go alone, which I don't mind and he rides one of his bikes with a mate. I also walk a relative's dog on a Sunday, which takes 4/5 hours including driving there and back, having a chat, and doing any shopping or whatever.

We also scuba dive and do that a few times a year. We'd do more weekend breaks, but covid has made that impossible, difficult to plan or expensive, plus we have cats and foster rescues so I get anxious about leaving them, even though we have a lovely cat sitter.

When at home I spend a lot of time caring for the kittens when they're here and giving them the attention they need so they're comfortable around people, not all have had the best start in life.

Teabag55 · 02/08/2021 12:27

That all sounds very positive and busy @BarbaraofSeville.
We've really got out of the habit of going out to eat, since the pandemic, even though we have been able to for most of it. On the upside, our cooking has improved, as like many people we've had the time to experiment a bit.
I think what we need to do is start planning our weekends and evenings a bit more.
The hurly burly of family life meant that we planned things together very effectively.

It would actually be quite nice to spend time doing things like castles and beautiful walks and lunches out before it's time to start doing them with grandchildren. We have one on the way Smile
Thanks for your input.

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dixiebloom · 02/08/2021 13:20

We ll be semi empty nester ie ds at uni next autumn... we are hoping to get a campervan for days out & overnights.... hoping post C19 to go to events or festivals.... also, want to experiment with new food & cooking.

Definitely need to push myself to be more social, as pandemic has made me less outgoing tbh.

Annietheangst · 22/08/2021 20:39

We shall be empty nesters in a few weeks time when DS goes to uni. I'm really dreading it tbh & worried about getting really down. He's our only one & DH works long hours. DS & I have spent so much time together, especially since the pandemic. His local group of friends are all staying local to work/train. I'm very proud of DS but wish he was doing the same really. He's going 4 hours away to uni. Sad

Jerseygirl12 · 22/08/2021 21:17

We go out about once a month with other couples for dinner or have a couple over for an evening.
Go for costal walks or NT walk always with lunch out.
Go to the cinema twice a month
Watch films on Friday and Saturday night if we’re in and then have Sunday night as watching our own stuff separately.
Book things like exhibitions or shows.
Go shopping
I get my DH a guest pass to use my spa once about every three week.
Have a takeaway once a week

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