How should I use a last-minute day off amid work stress?

[MayRedRose]

Help, what will I do tomorrow.

Basically my work have me tomorrow off but it was last minute. But also they want me to work at the weekend in lieu. I don't really like the sound of that to be honest. One day off for work two extra days and my pay likely won't ever reflect the days and hours I am doing. I was bullied into accepting by the most nastiest phone call. Apparantly claiming everyone else is not available. Or something.

Anyways I live at home with a parent who is senile and progressing and things are very though. She's at home a lot on her own. I get a lot of bad moods from her.

Basically I will have tomorrow off and I really feel like I need to make tomorrow count. Go and do something for the day. Try and get away and try and unwind. Even if it's just for a day trip into town. I don't know.

There is a few days tours I would love but I don't know about tomorrow.

Also by the call I got today things are looking very uncertain in work going forward. Basically claiming that they have no other cover for the next few more weekends and it really looks like they want me to do weekends. But there's no proper time off being scheduled for me for mid week.

But all this is also to facilitate a boss who will not work or contribute. It's a private care role.

But not only that I have a lost the length of my arm of things to do. I need to go to a hardware shop and the grass got so long so quickly. I only cut it about three weeks ago and it grew so very long so quickly and I never once got time to cut it. It is now as tall as the windows.

I can't afford to pay someone to cut the grass and my senile mother won't allow anyone on the property because she's fearful.

I am also in work tonight. I was hoping on cutting the grass tonight but I am stuck in work. So that won't be happening.

Unless if I get up early tomorrow and only do about half an hour of grass cutting in the morning and then get away for the day after that.

Also by the sounds of things I have no idea when my next day off is going to be. Really feels as if they want to claim every day going forward.

Go and swim at an open air lido, earlyish; then lie in the sun for a bit. Then go for an ice cream. Go to the library and get out a real page turner and read it somewhere beautiful.

What is there to do near where you live?

Don't cut the grass - it's No Mow May when we're encouraged to let the grass grow to help bees and birds, it's one of the best bits of the summer!

Tomorrow should be a day to do stuff just for you, out of your house so you don't end up doing jobs or being dragged down by your mum.

A lido is a great idea, but if you don't fancy that, I'd suggest a trip to a nice park/botanic gardens, treaty lunch, and if it gets too hot, go to see The Devil Wears Prada in a nice cool cinema.

Tomorrow should only be fun things, but you should think about looking for a new job in the next few weeks. It's very hard to get good home care staff, so you should definately think about moving to a new company, who will treat you better.

Re your mum, you can look into local supports for her, day centres etc. My mum, who had Altzheimers, went to one twice a week and it was very good for her general mood, and tired her out too, so she slept better.

But tomorrow should be for getting out of the house. Don't forget sunscreen and a hat!