What would you do with time off work

[BubbledMama88]

I'm in a lucky position, my work are closing for a few months and are paying all the staff in full over the time they are closed.

I've got 2 young children in nursery, 1 has funded hours and 1 I pay for but attends a flexible nursery so I will be cutting his hours down to save on childcare costs during the time I am off.

A question asked at my work alot is what are you planning on doing during your time off? I'm thinking start the gym so I'm still having some time away from mum life whilst the children are at work. I've also thought about starting an online business on etsy using a cricut machine maybe? Or find a temporary part time job for a bit of extra income? Allot of my colleagues are booking holidays, we already had a family holiday booked for during this time.

Of course I will appreciate the extra time with my children and also be doing things arround the house I don't usually have the spare time for like a good declutter and doing a bit of decorating.

What would you do in my shoes?

You lucky thing! As a parent of young children, this is the dream!

I would definitely join a gym/pool and go regularly. (Actually I have joined recently - one with a crèche - so am doing this myself despite the fact that I have to work.)

I would make time for at least one hobby, for me that's playing an instrument but it could be anything. Or just sit and read a book! Bliss!

My house is very cluttered and there are lots of little DIY jobs that need doing, I hate it.. so I would take great satisfaction in decluttering, doing the DIY jobs and reorganising, decorating etc. Ditto sorting the garden. Of course your house and garden might be in a better state than mine, but if you work and have young kids, it might not be how you want it?!

I also suggest that you organise childcare so you have one to one time with each child every week, ie not have them both in nursery at the same time, have a day or half day each week when one is with you and the other is at nursery.

Some people will say you should go travelling for the whole time but if your DH has to work and can't take time off it won't be such fun without him. Maybe you could do some mini breaks solo or with a friend or your mum or sister, though?

I'm soooooo jealous can you tell

Sort out the house
Do a course
Lots of days and weekends away

I had one month parental leave but DD was in school so I had 7 hours each day free.

I had so many plans and after one week woke up with terrible back pain, most my plans for de-cluttering etc ended being shelved.

But on my list was:

cleaning the whole wardrobe (this one I actually manged), taking everything out, sorting it into stuff we still wear, recycling and charity shop. Then hoovering the inside and wiping it down. So satisfying.

Going through book shelves, again, taking books out, decluttering and cleaning (partly done)

Sorting out flower beds (partly done)

Going for regular walks, I hate the gym but wanted to be active (less sucessful)

Sorting out finances, going through paperwork, speaking to a financial adviser

Taking time for me, going back to bed when DD was off to school (secondary, so she left at 7.30) and just hanging out until lunch doing nothing but reading or napping. Especially the first week was a welcome need to decompress (and DH was on a business trip).