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Still recovering from a dreadful summer

6 replies

Roseinatub · 15/10/2025 16:54

I had a dreadful summer. Work and family were just so intense with me. If I wasn't working, I was studying an online course and trying to meet deadlines for assignments and if I wasn't doing that, it was family dumping babysitting on me. I can count on one hand the amount to days that I had off this summer. It was awful.

The weekend two weekends ago was the first time I was able to get a proper block of time to myself since June. Every day since June was working, or college or family that wasn't even my kids - it was siblings washing their hands of their kids for the summer and using me as an aunty to mind their kids while their drank and holidayed. Don't get me wrong I love my nieces and nephews but I resented not having time to myself so much. It was every day demands from every angle.

The weekend two weekends ago was the first bit of time to myself in months.
I had an event to attend to last weekend.

I definitely feel like I am not fully recovered from the shit show of a summer.

This weakened coming will be my second free weekend since June.

I have no idea what to do with my time this weekend. If I should go for a meal out in peace. Or find a budget night away. Or go for a massage. I have no idea what to do with my time. I might aw well try and make this time my own.

OP posts:
AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2025 16:57

If you can afford a meal, massage and night away and you’ll enjoy those things then do them!

And learn to say no to people asking favours. It’s madness to agree to extensive babysitting you resent that tires you out. Not your kids not your problem. Don’t do it again and you won’t get so worn out.

Roseinatub · 15/10/2025 17:59

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2025 16:57

If you can afford a meal, massage and night away and you’ll enjoy those things then do them!

And learn to say no to people asking favours. It’s madness to agree to extensive babysitting you resent that tires you out. Not your kids not your problem. Don’t do it again and you won’t get so worn out.

I never agreed to babysitting. Family just washed their hands of their responsibilities and pushed their kids onto me and more often without even consulting with me or asking me. Often they would be drinking in the yard and their kids just pining for company and waiting for me to come home or the parents would just get up and go. Or giving their kids choices and the kids refusing to go with the parents and just leaving the kids at home even if I had work to do.

I can't really afford it all like night away, massage, meal.

OP posts:
TickyandTacky · 15/10/2025 18:10

But by doing it, you are agreeing to it. Stop being so passive and take control of your life.

Also not sure why you suggested things that you cant afford?

Plan some free things that you love doing and sign up for some assertiveness classes.

AnneLovesGilbert · 15/10/2025 18:13

Do you live with all of these relatives?

whimsicallyprickly · 15/10/2025 19:26

Roseinatub · 15/10/2025 17:59

I never agreed to babysitting. Family just washed their hands of their responsibilities and pushed their kids onto me and more often without even consulting with me or asking me. Often they would be drinking in the yard and their kids just pining for company and waiting for me to come home or the parents would just get up and go. Or giving their kids choices and the kids refusing to go with the parents and just leaving the kids at home even if I had work to do.

I can't really afford it all like night away, massage, meal.

Say no. Don't be so passive. Take control of your time

Also, if you can't afford to go away, don't. Do something closer to home

CapitanSandy · 15/10/2025 20:39

Time to start living life for yourself. Learn to say this doesn’t work for me. I hope your weekend feels restorative.

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