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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone just want a day off work and a day off your kids?

135 replies

BloodyHell33 · 01/03/2016 21:43

I work term times. Great, it works amazingly round the children.

I love my job and I love my kids but on Monday I found myself willing an illness to come so I had a genuine excuse to have a day off work and the kids be at school. As if I would enjoy it if I were ill Confused.

Even tonight I'm busting for a day off.

My DH would happily take the kids off my hands for a few hours on a weekend. But I want a whole day. Selfish, I know!

DH works full time too, self employed so gets 4 days holiday a year (unpaid, when we go to Butlins which isn't exactly relaxing!)

So he too, deserves a day off no work no kids.

No family round us to give us this pleasure either. Even then, if they did, I'd like it totally alone and not even with DH. Blush. I know, meany.

I just want a DAY OFF!!

OP posts:
Original poster
BloodyHell33 · 01/03/2016 22:02

SirChenjin this time last year I had appendicitis and was admitted for 2 days and one night.

Literally bliss.

I'm just gutted I only had one appendix!!

OP posts:
SmallBee · 01/03/2016 22:05

bloodyhell, that'd rubbish, sorry you can't get a day off.
Second the sick day option or lie to work about an inset day?

In November I went to watch Macbeth at the cinema to try and be cultured but then ruined it gloriously by going to the Five Guys burger place for the first time and disgustingly stuffing my face. It was excellent.

TendonQueen · 01/03/2016 22:05

Yes, what you need is a day swap with another parent during school Hols. You take yours and theirs for a day, then.. glorious payback.Smile

Jibberjabberjooo · 01/03/2016 22:10

Occasionally I get a day off work on a nursery day (I work shifts), and the DC still go to nursery. I go shopping or go back to bed or have my haircut, it's bliss.

BikeRunSki · 01/03/2016 22:14

I crave time off like this. It is only possible if I take time off work when the DC are at school or nursery. No local family, useless DH, I never get any time off both work and kids (and example of DH's usefulness - last week end I had to go to a different city for a course to do with a hobby. I had left DH a chicken stew and apple pie of his and the DC's lunch. I left at 8am. The DC were just waking up. He didn't give them any breakfast, took them into town without DD's coat (there was frost on the ground) and washed school uniform but didn't dry it.

A couple of weeks ago I had a day sick from work because I was just exhausted. It was awesome, I lay on the sofa and watched old episodes of Call the Midwife on Netflix and ate toast.

cranberryx · 01/03/2016 22:14

This post is everything.
Yes, a thousand times yes.

I want to try on shoes. I want to drink coffee or eat something with two hands.
The hour I had to myself this evening when DP did bedtime? I did washing up, cleaned the lounge, brushed the dogs. 😭 I wish I had taken full advantage before I had kids.

PerettiChelsea · 01/03/2016 22:14

I work 4 days a week & I don't think I could cope without a whole day to myself Grin

greenfolder · 01/03/2016 22:15

Sounds terrible but I had 6 weeks off for a hysterectomy. It was bloody bliss. Older one took little one to school and picked her up. I laid in bed with Netflix and watched 9 series of greys anatomy.

DontCallMeBaby · 01/03/2016 22:18

I work term time, but I slightly miscalculated and gave myself a bit too much time off. Plus I work flexitime and now DD is older I actually accrue flexi credit. I do have trouble getting over the 'I'm barely here, I shouldn't take MORE time off' guilt, but I manage it.

The trouble is, now I have this, I want more. DD comes home at 4, and then DH DH turns up a couple of hours later. I want 24 hours now ...

Sootica · 01/03/2016 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CutYourHairAndGetAJob · 01/03/2016 22:19

The bit of maternity leave I had before dc2 was born was brilliant for this, at least on the days when dd was at nursery and I could slob around the house doing online shopping and eating cake. Part of me was a bit disappointed when I went into labour Grin

MeMySonAndl · 01/03/2016 22:20

A few years ago I was not allowed to take annual live for most of the year due to understaffing, so was then foced to take 2 full weeks off in school time as otherwise I would loose them. It was HEAVEN.

I spent the time meeting friends for lunch, visiting museums, managed to do quite a bit of DIY and roam, totally undisturbed, in shops and bookshops. It was more relaxing than going to a spa.

Toomanycats99 · 01/03/2016 22:25

I occasionally stay away with work when I have a lot on. Sometimes I dream about booking a days holiday but telling dh I am away with work and booking. Myself and hotel and doing absolutely nothing for 24 hours. I do book days off when dd's are at school but they just seem to get swallowed up with household chores and only an hour or two max of me time!

Puppymouse · 01/03/2016 22:25

Completely with you on this. I would like a day off when DD is at nursery and my horse is on full livery and the dog is whisked away by my mum for walks.

But then I would probably loaf around in bed, feeling guilty the dog wasn't with me, missing DD and wishing I was riding. I have decided I can't win so just enjoy whatever I can. Have had unexpected pleasure of DH being at home yesterday and today when it would normally be just DD and me. I have really appreciated it.

Smile
Ringadingdingdong22 · 01/03/2016 22:25

I've not long gone back to work after DS2 and it turns out I've got some holiday I absolutely must use before the end of march. Sooooo I'm taking the two days before good Friday off. Now I just have to decide if I sent the DC to nursery one day or both Grin

FrankiesKnuckle · 01/03/2016 22:27

Where I work we call sick leave second class leave.

I'm planning a second class leave day soon for I have about 0.34 hours of leave left until August but a rather good absence record.... Wink

shazzarooney99 · 01/03/2016 22:29

I work in schools and mostly with sen pupils,i come home to my sen son whom has suspected Asd, hes violent and often threatens to kill himself and tries too and yes i would luv a day off, well hey hey the christmas fairy has come and someone has booked a hotel for me for the evening on the weekend of my birthday, but oh my goodness im worried about it, cause he will kick off to high heaven.

BikeRunSki · 01/03/2016 22:30

Both!!!!

BikeRunSki · 01/03/2016 22:31

That "both!!!" was to ringading

Judydreamsofhorses · 01/03/2016 22:32

I actually don't have kids, but do teach, and am longing for a day off just now - just a midweek day, no DP, pottering about in my pyjamas. We only get one day of half-term so Christmas to Easter is really hard going, and I spent that day off with a bloody migraine!

Judydreamsofhorses · 01/03/2016 22:33

Oh, we also don't get Easter Monday or Good Friday off. Rubbish!

imwithspud · 01/03/2016 22:36

YADDDNBU!

I'm a sahm to a 3yo and 9month old and even I crave child free time. Dd1 is at pre-school 5 mornings a week and dd2 takes her morning nap during that time, sounds great but I normally use this time to do jobs around the house which are difficult to get done with a needy 3yo in tow. Sometimes I do naff all but it's not without guilt, which takes the shine off it somewhat, plus it's not the same as having an actual entire day to yourself. Grandparents are willing to take them over night occasionally but as dd2 is still breastfed, only dd1 goes at the moment - which still feels like a break as dd2 takes naps and is generally chilled out, but I do long for 24hours where I can do what I want without having to lug a child around with me.

I went into the town centre with both dd's this afternoon and it was exhausting. Dd2 was fine in the push chair but by the end of it I was sick of the sound of my own voice after constantly telling dd1 to "watch where you're going" "don't touch that!" "Don't climb that" "come here, NOW" "hold my hand" "stop messing about" etc. It made me realise why I never venture into the town centre anymore.

Definitely took all the freedom I had pre-dc for granted.

elvisthehamster · 01/03/2016 22:36

Yes...I am having one tomorrow! Not the best of circumstances-I was made redundant...have kept children at childminders though as spaces are so hard to come by here. I have been offered another job thank goodness but it doesn't start for another couple of weeks ..so once I have packed the kids off to school and nursery first thing, I am heading back to bed with a cuppa and a book -ah bliss! It feels such a guilty luxury.

Gobbolino6 · 01/03/2016 22:40

Only if calories consumed over this day don't count.

Missanneshirley · 01/03/2016 22:40

I am a teacher who works in the same la as my kids - so I know I am very lucky re no problems with school holiday childcare. I only work 4 days but only 1 dc is at school. I am already on countdown to August when the 2.5 hrs I currently get away from my dc will increase to THE WHOLE SCHOOL DAY! I can hardly believe it's going to happen. Other than that 2.5hrs on my day off they are with me every bloody minute that I am not at work. Dh works mainly weekends and nights.
But as pp have said, it will be a slippery slope won't it?I'll get my full day and it won't be enough Grin