Since having children I have become a recluse?,I never go out anymore some advice please

[sweetsmellingcandles]

Dp has a great social life,which I dont mind,I prefer my own company and to stay in,but recently I feel im missing out,and when the dc's are gone what will I have then.

We also only have his parents to babysit ,I dont like to ask as we fell out and things were said I dont want to rely on them.

I would love for us to have some us time
For me to have a life without the dp and ddc's.

What do all you all do with your time?,when not working etc.

You go out and dp stay in for a change? evening course? meet friends?
I am a single parent so I don't go out much, but I do manage it, did an NVQ and Maths GCSE among other things.

I see my friends, I sing in a chamber choir, I read books, I do freelance stuff.

I haven't had a night free in 18months (since I was 7 months pg with DS3). I go on MN!

I get my first free night in a year and a half next Saturday, and I have no idea what to do with myself!!

Do you work full time?

I volunteer for Homestart on my days off which gets me out of the house and makes me feel useful -the only qualification you need is to be a parent.

I have relatives to babysit, but mainly use friends in a recipricol arrangement-do you know anyone from school drop offs (what age are your kids) that you could do this with?The friends I do this with are ones that I met because we live on the same street/went to same playgroup with kids/antenatal group/school gates. I have also paid the teenage girl that lives across the road from me-now my lot are older I feel happy to do tjhis-is there anyone likely near you? Or my friend uses staff from her kids' nursery.

I started a book group which meets monthly in each others houses. My sil joined 2 groups that she got details of from her local library and book shop.

Dh and I like to watch live comedy together -we get some good offers off groupon for our local clubs.We go to gigs together too.

Do you like your dh's mates/interests? Could you hire a babysitter and go out with him?

I go swimming/bike riding with a friend-we go as late as 8pm when the nights are light-is exercise something you like? I'm not a fan of sport clubs and stuff but if you are that's a good way to meet people.

My Mum is in craft groups and choirs-she found them through local newletters and crft shop.