To ask what you did on maternity leave ...

[catsonlaps]

Bit worried about this. Well, not worried but wondering.

How do you fill time on leave? I'm so used to charging around that I worry I'll get a bit bored ... :)

I went to art galleries and museums. Read a lot of improving books. Took up painting water colours and learnt how to play the calliope.

Sleep sleep and more sleep. Clean house and prepare&freeze meals if you can be arsed. Read a book. Have a long bath. Wander round the shops.

These things will be impossible or very difficult for the first few months after baby arrives so take advantage now.

Funnily enough boredom never quite crept in. I always seemed to be busy but acheived very little in the first six weeks or so.

I'm not on leave yet! I was kind of thinking when the baby arrives?

Oh no, sorry, that was how I imagined it would be before I had my mind, body, and life ripped to shreds by the arrival of a totally dependent being and I spent the next few months keeping the new alien alive whilst trying to put myself back together.

Glad you clarified that funkster. Wasn't quite sure if you were serious or not.

I didn't even manage a book on maternity leave. But oh the plans before I had my first baby of how it would be.

I decorated the nursery and made a ridiculously large craft project for it.

For the first 6 weeks, not much. Watched all of Cold Feet on ITV player, showered when possible, slept when I could (DS was first so no toddler to chase around after). After 6 weeks my antenatal group were an absolute life saver, we met up for coffee, went for walks around the local parks, trips to local farms, swimming, baby sensory etc... I don't live close to family so those other 8 mums saved me and a few of them have become very close friends. See what local mum and baby groups you can attend, I know they're not for everyone but if it's a morning or afternoon out of the house it might make a nice change of scenery.

In three weeks prior to arrival cooked meals for freezer, met up with new mum friends who had either had or were still waiting for babies to arrive. After baby arrived first 12 weeks recovered from c section, baby massage class, returned to volunteering role, planned family Christmas, after that started various baby groups that interested me, met up with friends, new and old, enjoyed time with baby.

Sorted stuff out around the house, enjoyed having a less frantic life.

Now back at work and really miss it.

Well I had 2 days! Wish I'd had the luxury of being bored!!

Don't worry time passes. For example today it seems we are spending the day in the gp out of hours clinic.

Time flies when you are having fun!

You will be very busy for first few weeks! When I got"organised" I went to various baby groups, visited friends and went shopping and for walks.

Bathtime

I'll be honest, I struggled at first. It's a bit shock to suddenly find yourself in a situation where a whole day might revolve around a trip to the post office and you have a small human to be responsible for.

I tried to go out each day. Twice, if possible. Having a car definitely helps. Acknowledge that doing things slowly is fine. Make some mum friends if you can. Attend as many free groups as you can.

I usually had one day of doing a mum & baby yoga session, another day DH was off work, one day I'd go to a group in the morning, might meet up with people from the group for coffee or soft play another day, might pop into town to meet my mum on her lunch break...

You will fill your time, but you might find its with quite mundane things. And that's ok. Caring for the baby is your main job, anything else is to keep you sane!

I had Dd 3 weeks early so spent my first week in hospital.

Then we came home. The first few weeks were tiring while we started out. Then when she was a bit older, we started doing a mum's group, baby massage.

I did find it a bit boring at first as I was used to looking after up to 6 babies in the nursery. But as Dd got older and stayed awake more it was much better.

I had this as a very fleeting thought before I went on mat leave with my first. Then I wised up.

Once baby was here, we were up and about fairly early considering is had a section (mil visiting first week of dd's life - not making that mistake again, she kept complaining of boredom!) so went for coffees and introduced her to people. Then when I was allowed to drive again went to baby groups and got to know other mums who were fab.

Baby arrived before I started leave so no time for chilling out. 3 weeks in and so far the day is completely filled with looking after baby and a few chores. No time for boredom yet. Meeting my nct group for a coffee next week.

Op I'm the same as you. I always charging around. But I wasn't bored at all during my 9 months leave. Firstly I really enjoyed the quiet time with the baby. Breastfeeing and the baby napping on me whilst I watched crap tv and read mumsnet. Luckily there are loads of baby activities around my area so I started to a different activity every day and met some other mums that I got on with well with and we'd go got coffee together. Honestly I'm the kind of person who thrives on being busy and I was not bored at all.

Before the baby came I went to the cinema a lot, sorted the house out and chilled out.
Once the baby was here it was a lot of box sets and going our for tea and cake!

cats, without sounding patronising (I hope), you will laugh at yourself for asking this question in the future.

you might get bored, but that's because looking after a baby is repetitive and can be boring, but it will not be because you are sitting around doing nothing.

Before DS was born I had 5 blissful weeks of pottering around batch cooking and filling the freezer, readying the nursery and packing/re packing my hospital bag. Plus lots of watching box sets and reading books.

Then DS was born and around visits to the GP, health visitor (weigh-ins), trips to mothercare, well meaning visitors etc, the first few months were taken up with just learning to adapt and take care of the baby. Gone in the blink of an eye.

Then came the baby groups and coffee shop meet ups with other mums (the fun and relaxing bit).

Then weaning envelops you and your time, baby gets their own ideas about things and becomes the boss. You will be chasing your own arse.

Then they walk and its game over.

Then back to work.

Baby group at my local sure start centre and NCT bumps and babies class.

Gymboree or similarly when they were a bit older, music groups, baby signing, swimming.

I did a yoga class for new mums, joined a a buggy fit class and once DD was old enough, I put her in the gym crèche twice a week for an hour and did an aerobics class.

Met up with NCT group for coffee once a week, saw the grandparents.

DD1 had reflux and was quite high maintenance until she started napping well at 9 months, so I got out of the house at every opportunity. They were entirely for my benefit - she didn't care

Do as much or as little as you want. With DD2 I sat around a lot more in between nursery runs for DD1.

I seem to be more busy now then before. DS1 is in preschool so I take him out in the afternoons and my mornings are spent out with friends or attending baby/toddler groups with DS2.

first week i rested/shopped second week i was made redundant then and had the baby early the rest is a blur

Oh it's not patronising just I don't know who's going to visit as they will all be at work! :)

I went on mat leave early, which I partially regret. Still 3 weeks til baby is due and I've sorted all the baby stuff, cleaned the house, and am kinda twiddling my thumbs.

I have a few craft projects to do, a hospital tour booked, and am doing a bit of freelancing work while I'm able. Aside from that, bored!

I know once the baby arrives, though, I'll be glad of the time and quiet. How far away til b-day, catsonlaps?

They will come after work cats when you wish they weren't there. And stay late even though you are clearly dog tired and want to settle the baby.

Top tip though, tell them if they come in the evening then they bring dinner. Dems da roolz if you ever want to eat.