Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To stay home all day?

70 replies

Jmangel · 09/08/2016 15:11

Just had one of those can't be bothered getting dressed and made up days as my skin is having a shocking rosacea outbreak and I'm exhausted coming back from a family holiday - which believe was not a holiday!
So decided to stay home with DDs 4 and 6.
We've done baking, painting, monopoly, stencilling and sequin art plus dress up and a DVD. They are having a lovely day getting to play with things they usually don't have time for as we're rushing around all the time.
DH has just popped home for 10 minutes and first thing he said when he saw me in my slobs and no make up face was, "so you haven't taken them out yet?" in a really disapproving tone.
This has totally pissed me off especially the yet which implies I still should! I had planned to have a toy room clean up and put away holiday packing before making dinner. Just feel like he thinks I've done nothing all day. Sorry needed to vent.

OP posts:
PeekAtChu · 09/08/2016 15:15

YANBU. The best bit of the summer holidays is the odd lazy day doing nothing much and no running around to endless activities. School starts back next week so we're making the most of it.

Owerly · 09/08/2016 15:50

YANBU this is pretty much exactly what we have done today. I asked my DD what she wanted to do today and she said stay in, so we have. We have baked, played and watched DVD'. It's been lovely, enjoy the rest of your day.

HeadDreamer · 09/08/2016 15:52

Does he have the kids on his own during school holidays? Did he manage to take them out everyday? Sounds like you have done loads. It's not like they are bored, are they?

OohMavis · 09/08/2016 15:54

This is pretty much every day for us at the moment. I'm a million months pregnant and exhausted. They have access to the garden and a paddling pool, a chest full of craft activities and two huge fecking toy units crammed with every piece of wonderful crap known to man.

I refuse to feel guilty.

If you're a crappy person for not taking them out for one day I dread to think what your DH would think of me!

CathFromCooberPedy · 09/08/2016 15:57

I don't get the going out everyday thing here Confused

Relaxing is staying home, letting the dc entertain themselves. We're going to be raising a generation of dc who can't amuse themselves or fecking sit still for a moment. My Mil (lovely woman ) is a 'get out everyday' sort and as such dh now thinks you have to leave the house to have a nice day.

Annoys me no fucking end.

flibbidygibbet · 09/08/2016 15:57

Kids neither want nor need to be taken out every day.

A home day encourages imagination in making up games and getting on with siblings.

The rest does everyone good.

Original poster
Jmangel · 09/08/2016 17:09

Exactly that too with my MIL Cath, she'd make Theresa May look unproductive and I think this is where DH's attitude comes from.
Good, I'm glad you're all stay at home mums too sometimes - needed to refuel today as tomorrow's schedule is mind numbing!

OP posts:
bigkidsdidit · 09/08/2016 17:15

DH takes the DC out everyday he has them, all day long with packed lunches. I like says like yours. His day = fresh air and exercise, mine = imaginative games and crafts. I believe children need both Smile

honeylulu · 09/08/2016 17:39

If your children are happy go for it. I love to spend time pottering round the house and chilling.
Unfortunately my two are like big labradors who have to be taken out twice a day and exercised vigorously or they go beserk. How I envy people who tell me of their lovely "pyjama Sundays" cuddled on the sofa with their kids and dvds!

cherryplumbanana · 09/08/2016 17:41

It sounds like a wonderful day if your kids are happy with it, and you know your own children.

My boys must go out every day.They are like puppies, if they don't get to run around for at least 30mn, they drive me absolutely crazy. My brothers were the same. I would not judge anyone relaxing at home for the day however!

bumblefeline · 09/08/2016 17:42

We have stayed in a lot. I can't afford really to take them out all the time.

We are going away for two weeks soon and they are enjoying just pottering about.

WaitrosePigeon · 09/08/2016 17:43

Oh tell him to piss off!

Lazy days are the best. We may have one tomorrow Grin

EdmundCleverClogs · 09/08/2016 17:47

You've had a busier day than me! Had a hell of a week, so had a low key day. Currently sat in bed with the child (both small and man ones), playing a Lego game on the PlayStation. Much needed chill out time before the madness starts again! I don't understand people who constantly need to be 'doing something ', otherwise feel the day is wasted.

Haudyerwheesht · 09/08/2016 17:53

Nothing wrong with that OP. We don't often do it because Dd (5) is like the Duracell bunny and drives me mental if she's stuck inside BUT that said we often have days where she is in the garden or front street all day.

AndieNZ · 09/08/2016 18:17

YANBU

Your DH sounds like mine. He can't understand how lovely it is having the odd pyjama day. He hates staying in the house and has to be out and about and generally can never sit still.

You have just returned from holiday and you and your kids have had a lovely day at home for a change and are happy...that's all that matters.

kurlique · 09/08/2016 18:29

YANBU!! What is the ruddy obsession with taking kids out every day of the holidays??!! They will never chuffing well learn that life can't be wall to wall jollies. I totally agree that there needs to be a mix of days but all kids need days at home in the holidays... It's when they learn to use their imaginations or read or help their parents with stuff (we are halfway through a total clear out of DS17's bedroomShock). Back in the day no one ever got taken out every blooming day of the holidays!! Today we haven't been out... Yesterday we went on a trip... To the opticians!!! 😂 And the whole world needs a pj day occasionally too!! Rant over... Oh and tell your DP to wind his neck in!

WeAreGypsy · 09/08/2016 18:32

Next time greet him dressed in sack cloth and ashes.

Tell him you should be petted and cherished and if he's not up to that he can f.o. to the far side and all that.

BalthazarImpresario · 09/08/2016 19:02

In doing the same tomorrow but minus any craft our baking, absolutely nothing. Tv, fine, games fine do whatever. Going out was a rare treat when I was younger and a nothing day doesn't harm anyone.
I was hoping for a rainy day when I didn't have plans but as thankfully that isn't happening we are just going to bum about anyway.

altiara · 09/08/2016 19:10

You've done loads with them!! Just happens to be inside.
My friend read some research that said children need to have time doing absolutely nothing so they can learn what it's like to be bored and then deal with it using their imagination. (My DCs find TV to be the cure) but I do get what she means as they have structured time at school, then structured clubs/activities after school. Mostly they want time to chill out. Even my DS(7) said he didn't want to be on our family holiday, he wanted time at home to play with his toys! Blush

cherryplumbanana · 09/08/2016 23:02

who do people think going out is a treat and has to cost money?

How much do you need to spend when you play football for 1 hour in the nearest park, ride your bike or go for a walk in the woods or beach if you have one nearby. When you have dogs you need to let them run one hour or two every day, the kids just come along. What's the big deal?

If yours at happy at home, it's fine, but not staying inside doesn't have to mean a trip to disneyworld either.

AnnieOnnieMouse · 09/08/2016 23:50

But DH, we have a lovely house, why would we need to go OUT?
head tilt

Original poster
Jmangel · 10/08/2016 05:36

Oh Annie that's EXACTLY what I should have said!

OP posts:
ConkersDontScareSpiders · 10/08/2016 06:18

I work from home. Therefore my DD's (aged 9 and 10)are having to amuse themselves a fair bit for about half the holidays. I usually spend the morning working, have a long break at lunch until later afternoon, where we might play a game, or as yesterday go out for lunch or whatever, then do an hours work before dinner, then some when they have gone to bed to make the time up.
They probably aren't the most exciting holidays for them but they play together, or with the other kids in the street just fine.They might watch telly a bit, or do their musically videos. Yesterday they constructed a huge den in the garden using nearly all the sheets from the airing cupboard.(which wanat ideal in terms of laundry GrinI actually think it does them good to have their own time and do what they will with it, (assuming it's not something harmful or dangerous). We are on holiday next week, and on a kayaking course the following one, and I've a few Days out planned, but mostly the holidays will be for them, as mine used to be for me as a child, just a time to chill out at home. Which is surely the point of it to some degree.

ConkersDontScareSpiders · 10/08/2016 06:21

I should point out that I work in the kitchen so I'm around-it's not like they are roaming about feral. I'm just not able to amuse them all the time and they are aware of that.

PosiePootlePerkins · 10/08/2016 06:31

Sympathise with the rosacea, mine is doing the same, we're in Crete for the week and strong sunshine is my enemy. I look 100% different with and without makeup, sometimes its good to give your face a break, and no way would I face the world without my makeup on!