When you finished with babies, what did you do next?

[fragiolo]

I have recently gone through a phase of feeling very broody for a final late baby but, for a whole range of reasons, we are coming down on the side of not having another one. I have an established career and older DC. Still, it has given me the feeling that I need some type of new beginning or focus while I close the door on that phase of life for good. Has anyone started something new when you reached that stage of knowing you were done with the baby years and not going back? I would love to hear some inspiring (or any) stories!

Started my own business. A new baby was easier.....

All you crazy people getting dogs?!
I'm done with babies, the last thing I want to be doing is going back to toilet training and having someone else constantly needing me for something!
Granted, mine are not as old as moving out age yet but still, the thought of having another mouth to feed (not financially, just more responsibility) and another chore to sort out fills me with absolute horror!

I started my Doctorate in the same year I gave birth to DD1. Then I took 3 years off in between to look after DD1 and had DD2 as well. Gone back to Doctorate and doing two placements (part of the training) when DD2 was about 18 months.
Thought about having another baby but decided in the end that I can't imagine putting my training on pause again. I really do love my career, and two children is plenty enough.

I can remember when we went to secondary school before mum went back to work she took up pottery classes and jewellery classes. And when I say jewellery classes I meant soldering silver! She had a hallmark and everything.

I'm done with babies (DC2 is 1.5) and planning a house renovation.

Not till both DC sleep through reliably though.

After that... Career change possibly. Exercise and social life definitely.

Has to be a puppy :-)

I have the opposite alternative to QueenLizIII

Realising that your carer responsibilities are extended indefinitely, even if they are at school, most school days.

I do a minor once a month, mentally stimulating, sort of volunteering but paid expenses thing. DH has to take time off work to cover afterschool child care, though. Otherwise, I try to keep up with un shittifying the house after the kids have shittified it (sometimes literally).

I took up tennis, I played two mornings a week (sometimes more) while they were in school. It saved my sanity, 15 years later kids are in work/college I'm still playing.

Also volunteered (mums & toddler group treasurer, pta treasurer, paret governor).

When my parent governor term came to an end I got a dog (another baby)

Then started buying property/renovating (another baby), now have a holiday cottage that I let so guests to look after (to a point).

I'm still in the baby stage and planning another so will likely be there for a while yet. Things I don't have the time/energy to do but really want to:

• READ! I'm going at a snails pace just now and have to grab any 15 mins I can. I have so many books I want to read!
• Learn the ukulele! (Have been assured it's really easy though so might try and do this soon)
• Knit for the local SCBU and sew hospital gowns for the Pyjama Fairies charity - wrappyjamafairies.co.uk/guidelines-on-sewing/
• Try and get more damn well organised with meals and housework so I'm not constantly chasing my tail and feeling bad about giving DS 'passable' meals.
• Meet up with friends more often
• Learn Italian, bought a book/cd set last year and still haven't used it.
• SLEEP.

My youngest starting school coincided with yet another job loss for by then DH. This was the third and I had been juggling part time work with the kids for two years. We had planned a third child but I stayed up late one night and thought about the reality of the situation and realised I had to get a full time job. I did - and the job and looking after the kids and running the house took up every ounce of energy I had.

Some years later when the DC were teenagers, no longer "D" H buggered off and left me to it and I felt I had even more to do. Happily for me internet shopping came along and that, along with a cleaner and a guy to mow the lawn helped me out.

Even now in my 60s (and cleanerless) I still do stuff fort them and worry about them. XH on the other hand doesn't seem to concern his head very much at all - maybe a little - sometimes.