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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Have a day off work and go aWol?

42 replies

clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:27

I have a flexi day I have to take off between now and next week. So no reason to cover school holidays or stuff like that.

I am planning on meeting a friend for dinner but have the whole day to myself. Aibu not to tell dh or family that I have the day off and to just spend it on my own?

I will be in London, have posted on chat for ideas of stuff to do but no response.

OP posts:
WipsGlitter · 03/11/2016 21:29

I took a day off last week and went to a spa and out for lunch by myself. Was lovely

altiara · 03/11/2016 21:30

Do it YANBU Smile
My ideas: Shopping
Museums
Afternoon tea
Walking around a park
Lying in bed
Going to the cinema
Watching a musical

Hotwaterbottle1 · 03/11/2016 21:32

I did this for 2 days last month! Bliss!

Original poster
clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:34

Museums I am tempted by. Need to be in Chelsea area by 5 ish. But would it be weird for a lone woman to wanted round the national history museum or science museum and are some kids still off school so likely to be packed ?????

OP posts:
Mum2jenny · 03/11/2016 21:34

As you have the option, I'd go for it. I wish I did though!

NapQueen · 03/11/2016 21:35

Won't your own dh be at work? So why can't he know.

Original poster
clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:39

I suppose if I am off and he is at work I feel like I will be expected to do life admin stuff. And tbh work and life is pretty stressful right now and I just want some time when nobody wants a piece of me!

OP posts:
Original poster
clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:39

He does know about me meeting my friend for dinner though

OP posts:
HamSandwichKiller · 03/11/2016 21:42

Sounds fantastic. Tell no one and have a fabulous day.

Threepumpkins · 03/11/2016 21:42

You could do an art gallery or the V & A. I would absolutely spend a day by myself there!

Original poster
clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:47

I've only ever been in the v&a once. (The preserved bomb damage outside is weirdly only of my favorite things in london) what things to I need to see in there?

Art gallery is tempting but don't really know where to start

OP posts:
CrotchetQuaverMinim · 03/11/2016 21:50

If it's weird for a lone woman to wander around museums or galleries, then those of us who are single, no children, and not many friends would have a very lonely life waiting til someone else was free to come do something with us! Smile Channel the spirit of someone like that and just go wherever takes your fancy. Lunchtime concert? Museum of London? Kew Gardens? Somewhere for coffee and cake all to yourself?

MegBusset · 03/11/2016 21:50

Sounds amazing. Definitely the V&A, there are so many different things to see, just wander around and see what takes your fancy.

I would also go for a long walk through the parks - Holland Park, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park etc

Original poster
clmustard · 03/11/2016 21:56

Oh crochet I didn't mean I thought it was weird in general I just meant the science museum and nhm in particular. They seem quite child orientated ....but I am a science nerd

OP posts:
Chottie · 03/11/2016 21:57

Just do it!

I love, love. love having a day to relax.

V&A is fab. There is a wonderful 60s exhibition on at the moment. There are also galleries on practically everything, so whatever your interest is there is a gallery. The coffee is good too :)

KickAssAngel · 03/11/2016 21:59

museums are MADE for people on their own, particularly during the day!

If you want to do art, go the the Tate Britain. Go in numerical order (the rooms are numbered) as then it goes in chronological order, or join one of their free tours. It's my favourite art museum in the world. I very rarely get time in London on my own, and always go there.

Mistletoekids · 03/11/2016 22:00

Ohhhhh yes! Do it!
I'd have a big lie in then go to a spa and maybe cinema if it were me

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 03/11/2016 22:00

the science museum and nhm in particular. They seem quite child orientated ....but I am a science nerd

I've not been to the science museum yet but plenty of my colleagues go on their own. I have been to the NHM a few times, both alone and with friends/DP - Never with children. I think it's totally fine, they aren't overly childish, we saw plenty of other adults/couples without children.

Have a lovely time!

PuppetInParadize · 03/11/2016 22:05

Definitely not weird to go to a gallery or museum alone. It's a great idea and it sounds like you need a break. Just do it!! Hope you have a lovely day.

BlackNo1 · 03/11/2016 22:08

Lots of good ideas above.

Agree to [you] telling no one.
Would love a day like this. For me it would be a museum, light lunch then maybe cinemas (depending on an early start versus a lie-in)
Yes I would love a day such as this. It would be like Christmas, only not, better.

BlueBlueSkies · 03/11/2016 22:10

I love going to art galleries on my own. The National Portrait Gallery is great and so interesting. I can spend hours in there.

The Victoria exhibition at Kensington Palace is good too.

Cinema on your own also feels quite decadent too.

Absolutely do not tell them what you are doing, they will find chores for you to do and you will get no time to yourself.

Sara107 · 03/11/2016 22:13

Go for it, awol is a great idea. Places like the science museum are family friendly, but there is plenty there for adults - I love it. There's also the Wellcome Trust museum (medical type stuff, I've never been myself). Another place I'ld like to go is the Foundling hospital at Coram's Fields. Most of the museum's have decent cafes for lunch/cake stops. Hope you have a lovely day.

cakedup · 03/11/2016 22:15

I am a Londoner and have been to Science museum and NHM loads (always with DS though) but no, it wouldn't be weird to go alone at all, and barely noticeable. Both places are massive and loads of people wandering about. Personally though, I'd rather go somewhere that isn't child-orientated or that DC don't want to go to if I wanted to treat myself. You can always go to SM or NHM with your DC. I'd go V&A as whenever we're in that area, DS would always rather go SM/NHM.

cakedup · 03/11/2016 22:18

Having said that...Science Museum and NHM are complete MADNESS during half terms/weekends. I only ever take DS on inset days or on a hot day in the summer holidays (even then it can be pretty packed). So yeh, not a bad idea to go now, I think all kids are back at school now.

CrotchetQuaverMinim · 03/11/2016 22:22

I always wanted to go to Science museum etc, but I'm only free when there are lots of children there. There are lots of things that are child oriented that I might still enjoy as they also have a lot of adult activities, and am a bit jealous of friends with families who get to do them without being considered weird at all (things that would be much odder than the Science museum or NHM, things that are advertised as being for families)

So I'd take your chances when you can!