Things to do whilst DH is away

[MinnieMountain]

DH is off on his annual surfing trip tonight until Wednesday. Last year I was just relieved to be separated for a bit

I’ve just changed our sheets and am looking forward to sprawling on them alone later.

What other things can I do to make the most of being the only adult in the house? (We have a 7yo).

My DH is away once a month. I also love clean sheets for this! I wake up early and work out and I just have a snack tea like crumpets. I try and line up one social thing as otherwise it’s a bit long but tbh I quite like to have nothing planned! If my eldest child is about I tend to let her co sleep and we have a Disney movie/pj night with popcorn

Husband is away at the moment for just over a week. I’ve also washed the bedding. I’ve got some nice food in and I’m taking a day off work to get some me time. I’ve got 2 kids so it’s gonna be quite full on.

My DH is away at the moment. He's been gone 10 days and I have 7 more to go. It's total bliss. I can do what I like, watch what I like, eat what I like. I can use the sitting room in the day ( he works from home) and I can just relax in a way that's impossible with him around. I've actually wondered if I'm enjoying it too much. I care 24/7 for our adult daughter who has a serious chronic illness that makes her bed bound and the joy of only looking after one person is real. DH is quite full on and talks constantly and I love peace and quiet. Before the pandemic I loved it when he was home. Now, not so much. He deserves the time out, he's on a fundraising walk and he is a senior NHS manager who has worked his socks off but this feels like my time out too as I haven't had more than 2 hours off caring for over 8 years.

Tbh I'm disappointed my eldest DH is coming this weekend for a visit as I'd much rather just carry on being antisocial!

I eat junk food when DH is away because he disapproves of fast food!

@Antsinyourpanta

I eat junk food when DH is away because he disapproves of fast food!

This - not junk food specifically but I eat all the foods DP hates but I love!

Right, kedgeree for supper one night then. And smoked mackerel for lunch. DH hates the smell of cooking fish.

DS is an early riser but I can probably persuade him to play Minecraft by himself on Sunday morning.

Enjoy the quiet is a very good point. He’s a talker and works from home.

DH usually manages a few golfing weekends a year and god I've missed them.

DH is an Olympic level question asker. It's sooooo nice to have a break from it........... reminds me to encourage booking something for him!!

I'd do a bit of decluttering and eat all the food he doesnt like. And watch whatever the hell you like on tv!

I wish my husband would go away for a bit - tips to achieve this?

My DH weekly commutes. My weekday evenings usually go...
Kids in bed at 8pm
Finish clearing up
Chose whatever I fancy on TV.
Enjoy with a cold drink (used to be wine, but I'm cutting back). Usually doing something like Lego at the same time
Retire to bed at 10ish with my book
Lay awake for ages trying to ignore the creaking house even though I know I'm being irrational
Enjoy having only my alarm go off in the morning instead of numerous Snoozes...

Definitely find a good film to watch, pour some Prosecco and enjoy.

My husband goes away on a hobby training for a few days each year. I go to bed earlier, read later, have mushroom and onion omelettes and sleep in one if his t shirts.

My husband is currently away for 6 months. So the novelty has worn off.

7 is a great age as they won’t be overly dependent on you so you can easily have loads of me time. Just do as little as possible, movies, takeaways, late nights and naps!

Encourage hobbies that require different terrain to your local one @RiderGirl. DH also skis.

Sadly late nights and more than a glass of alcohol are out (thank you peri-menopause). But I’ve got a bottle of rose Prosecco that needs drinking.

Golfing is a healthy, outdoor hobby isn’t it @BrilloPaddy? You should definitely encourage it.

I’m going to go upstairs to read nice and early tonight.

Any recommendations on Netflix that aren’t sci-if?

Watch the crown on Netflix!! So good

Do you have Apple TV. If so Schimagoon is a good shout (if you like musicals)

Son and DH away this weekend - first time whole family hasn't been together since the start of the pandemic.

Done clean sheets (obvs). Had early coffee in bed with the dog (I get up a couple of hours earlier than he does at the weekend, so this is rarely possible).

Girls and I had seafood stir fry last night which we like and they don't. Planning a fish-heavy Indian/Chinese takeaway, film and popcorn this evening. Girls are late sleepers/later risers so I've had a gorgeous morning pottering about on my own.

DH used to spend one week in six away for work when we had three preschoolers and it was a real struggle. In many ways I think that'd be the ideal now, but we've gone to the other extreme and both WFH/never go anywhere anymore...

Sorry, that was just a 'happy-me' post and didn't answer your question. Definitely let your 7yo have a minecraft-y morning. Nice breakfast, go to bed as early/late as you like and definitely enjoy a lone-adult evening with TV/bath/book/wine/whatever (my kids go to bed later than I do now, so those days are sadly gone, but used to love those evenings!). Enjoy :)

That’s ok @barnanabas. That sounds tough.

We’ve had a planned day out, both knackered.

Tomorrow will definitely be plenty of reading and coffee in bed (I also wake up earlier than DH) and Minecraft.