Child free week - what to do? (Light hearted)

[CarolynKnappShappy]

I’ve never had a single child free night in 16 years.
Eldest has been with me 24/7 as I raised her solely alone - when she did Bronze and Silver D of E I had her brother with me.
I’ve been away with work but that is camping and looking after other peoples children or school trips etc.

I have 3 dogs and 2 horses but having dropped eldest off for a flight to France 🇫🇷 on a trip this morning and youngest at his Dad’s - the house is very quiet. 😂

I came back and have a slow roast in the slow cooker for dinner and a couple of friends round. I’m out tomorrow. I can’t go away as I have the animals but it is so lovely and quiet. I mean really lovely. I’ve just been in the kitchen and it’s clean - normally eldest is constantly cooking and there is washing up everywhere. I haven’t asked someone 15 times to put the recycling out - I just did it - done. There are no gadgets blaring or arguments. Just me and the pooches.

Apart from riding every morning (I’m on holiday) and long dog walks and a free tv and peace for reading - I’m loving it.

😂

Ive already had a text from the eldest saying ‘you were right, swimming costume wasn’t on the list for the trip but you told me to take one - and now we are going paddle boarding on arrival Doh’ to which I replied ‘shorts and T-shirt and wetsuit over the top or same with bra and knickers - or use the emergency fund I put in your account to buy a cheap one’ but I thought I’d hate the quiet but no - me and my podcasts lovely!

what would you do with a child free week? I’ve got no 10 year old coming in every single night and a 16 year old wanting snuggles every morning - but the pups will take their place.

what can I do?

what should I do?

😂. Ps only really got until Friday evening so not a full week!

I have from 6pm tonight until Friday night alone. DC at dads, DP away. I am planning a major declutter 😂

I’m cleaning out my bedroom and making it beautiful and doing paperwork but I think that will take a day or so ! So I’m with you there x

You can only really do that if your are not with your kids father though or if they are older to go away by themselves.

Do you enjoy cooking? I'd make myself some elaborate meals which I don't. Normally have time for.

I’ve just been in the kitchen - nope it’s clean 😂

Been outside and cleared up all the dog poo and apples from the orchard - 10 minutes tops and I thinking why do these jobs take the children at least an hour of nagging 🤦‍♀️and then an hour for them to do.

Can’t mow as it’s been raining.
unfortunately I am recovering from a broken ankle else I would be out for a run - maybe I might go swimming

My youngest goes to his father about 3 times a year - he lives on the other side of the country and very often makes excuses for not having him.
My eldest has been away with D of E and although she is year 11. But never at the same time as him.

A group of her friends are doing French A level (she is the only one that isn’t) but one of her friend’s has French family -normally they rent out their gite so they have gone there for 5 days- free holiday, they raised the money between them for flights and presents for the grandparents. They had a list of trip stuff but the aim is to speak solid French for the week and learn some French cooking with Granny /and learn about wine 😃

I'm currently in the nearby city centre in a trendy cafe, just finished a salad and coffee on the way. People watching. Bliss.

Not even child free, they are just at a camp for a few hours! I'm treating it as a holiday though!!

Also did some personal filing this morning and started a big jigsaw for the predicted rain ahead during the week.

I have a list I refer to for projects I want to do but nothing relaxing- decluttering, painting, resilicone the shower in spare bathroom- that sort of thing! I always think Id enjoy a day lounging about but I always feel stiff, headachey and almost hung over the next day. It's very annoying!

Id probably meet friends or even have them over to stay for a girly night in. Cinema, long library visits, get my hair done, try some take aways so my kitchen stays clean! I've no pets so a night or two away could also be on the cards.

I am child free until Friday as my boys are with their grandparents, but do have the husband at home and I am working from home.

Work is very quiet (we work with schools), so having a declutter of old toys that the boys are too old for during breaks from my desk.

Just taken the dogs for a walk and come back and well the kitchen is still clean, the toilet is still clean, the fridge is full and everything is tidy still 😂off to make a cuppa and read a book!

I'd catch up with all my friends

Someone started a similar thread a few weeks ago on AIBU and some people replied that it was implying child free children did nothing and had no responsibility, turned into a nasty discussion. Things are so much nicer here on chat!!

Oh dear! Missed that one. I still have a to do list:
just bleached the sink, bleached the toilet etc

I’m on holiday this week so that helps and I ran around last week cleaning the microwave, fridge etc but honestly going in the kitchen and there is milk in the fridge is a novelty.

I don’t have parents to care for etc and my dogs are just following me from room to room. Can’t do garden stuff as pouring with rain. Kitchen cupboards were sorted out last week and shower and bath cleaned before they went.

I have my podcasts, tapestry and book through and strict instructions on the hamster, ants (just really) snail and fish to tick off. Paperwork tomorrow and a day out Wednesday I think!

I've been in hospital for a week, but im going home today. Family are kindly having my kids until at least Sunday. I wont be able to do much but ill read, watch tv, and rest

Drink wine
Watch trash
Eat doritos
Read books/magazines
....sounds bliss.....

@Cucumber1234 hope you are ok xx

I have this next week. Hopefully. DH is taking dss's and dd2 away for a week. Dd2 is still deciding wether to go or not. It was a last minute sort of trip and I already had Dogs booked in to stay (I am a dog Walker/boarder) so I can't go. So if dd1 goes it will just be me and 4 doggies (2 ours, 2 visitors).
I love dd1 but I'm really hoping she goes as I just want a week of not having to think about what someone else wants for dinner/coping with her moaning because she is bored/ferrying her about places.
I can just look after the dogs, do some gardening and DIY, catch up on TV I want to watch for once rather than the kids dross that I pretend to like as they like to watch it with me, and eat what I want when I want. Lovely.

If I didn't have dogs to mind I would do some day trips-to a castle I love that I haven't been to since the DD's were tiny and to see the David Hockney exhibition. But I can't leave my charges for that long so will happily potter at home.