Ideas for things I can do when dd at nursery for myself

[Selfcareneedednow]

Dd will be starting nursery in 3 weeks , she has significant SEN . Her older brother also has SEN.
She will be going for 3 hours Mon - Fri.

Ive been so exhausted for so long and now I dont know what I’ll do with all that time. I expect on days where they haven’t slept I’ll be able to catch up on rest but the other days I feel like I’ll end up just doing housework. Should I get a cleaner so I dont ‘waste’ the time I will have?

Any other parents with similar difficulties with any suggestions? I don’t even have a hobby maybe I need one ??!!

Sorry I should have said her older brother is full time school

If you can afford a cleaner, I would. You could then have the time to rest or do things for yourself, like exercise or meeting friends for coffee or just a child free shop!

Go for a swim or a walk and a coffee.

Buy in as much help as you can afford. Then go for a swim, walk or exercise class perhaps? Get a massage? Go and read a book in a nice cafe? Meet up with friends?

I started a painting class at a local art school when my DD started preschool, then I would use other days to paint at home and visit gallery shows. I did classes at my local leisure centre - they do cheap memberships for people on carer's allowance so I'd swim, do yoga and a fitness class.

I also liked doing self-guided walks in my area, it has quite a lot of history and celebrity connections so I found that interesting.

I made a point of not doing housework at those times because I can do that when DCs are in bed (but I can't go out then) so the time when they were at preschool and school was the only time I could do stuff out of the house.

I definitely think I would like a cleaner as otherwise I know what I’m like I’ll just clean ! Plus it’ll be the only time I can have someone different in the house as both ds and dd react badly to new people in their ‘safe space’

Extended family member has been in your shoes. She decided early on to spend the three days taking care of head, body and soul.

She used to go for a swim/ yoga one day, head to a gallery/museum another day and day three meet a friend/family for coffee etc.

She swears this has kept her able for what can be challenging days, nights.

Not the same issues as you but my son recently started preschool and I have one full day a week with no kids or work after 7 years of parenting.

I started Pilates, I do little bits of diy in the house, leisurely do some housework with my ebook playing, meet friends for breakfast sometimes. I always like to get something nice in for a lovely breakfast or lunch as a t treat. Sometimes pop to town etc. it's bliss!

DH told me to forget the housework. and focus on me (bless him). DD didn't have SEN but I had PND.

I think I spend ages at the libray and coffee shops. Got books by the bucketload and just read. Or walked around the town center and enjoyed window shopping or shopping just for me.