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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to keep my 1 afternoon off a week quiet?

35 replies

Digdeep79 · 13/09/2018 20:01

I work full time but my hours mean I can leave work at 1pm on Tuesday. I have 5 children and a busy life and just crave some 'me' time. As such I have never told friends that I have this afternoon off a week or I will get booked up.

I told a colleague this and she can't understand why I just want my own company like this! I am surrounded by people and children 24/7, so 3 hours peace is heaven

OP posts:
IHATEPeppaPig · 13/09/2018 20:02

YADNBU keep schtum. I would literally kill someone for 3 hours peace.

itbemay · 13/09/2018 20:03

YANBU

Enjoy that you time and never tell a soul!

Passthecake30 · 13/09/2018 20:04

YANBU!

PS I hope you don't use that time for cleaning/food shopping!

ferrier · 13/09/2018 20:05

I thought you were going to ask if you were unreasonable not to tell your husband. Both if it's just friends, no way would I tell them!

ipswichwitch · 13/09/2018 20:06

I’ve got tomorrow off and I’ve told nobody...... ok, apart from you lot but since you don’t know who I am or where I live that’s fine!

Excited0803 · 13/09/2018 20:07

Very reasonable. Crack on. Have a nap for me!

HollyGoLoudly1 · 13/09/2018 20:08

YADNBU. Enjoy BrewCake

NeedMoreSleepOrSugar · 13/09/2018 20:08

I dream of an arrangement like that. Yadnbu.

scrivette · 13/09/2018 20:09

I wouldn't tell anyone either!

PurpleCrazyHorse · 13/09/2018 20:09

I used to book a day off work and only DH would know. I'd drop DD at the CM as usually and enjoy the day pottering around. Good on you OP

NonaGrey · 13/09/2018 20:10

Why on earth would it be any of your friends’ business?

It’s certainly not your colleagues!

JustHereForThePooStories · 13/09/2018 20:11

I don’t have any five children. I work insane hours but, on Fridays, I leave the office at 3pm. I tell nobody. I usually go to a cafe, grab a coffee, and either read my Kindle for a while, or do something totally random like play slot machines for a bit.

Or I get a taxi home, and watch shite tv.

Everyone needs me time, and some secrets!

SerenDippitty · 13/09/2018 20:12

YANBU at all.

DoYouLikeHueyLewisandTheNews · 13/09/2018 20:12

YANBU! I have a morning like this and i didn't keep it quiet. It is now spent running errands, cleaning, food shopping and with people dropping by as they mistakenly believe I'm sat on my own bored. Keep it under your hat and enjoy!

Returnofthesmileybar · 13/09/2018 20:12

Nope, it was a great idea to keep quiet! Enjoy it!

TulipsInBloom1 · 13/09/2018 20:14

Dont tell anyone!

Dh works term time only. His october half term is different to the kids this year so he will have a whole week off with the kids at school. Ive booked one day off that week so we have a day alone.

Ive been asked by colleagues why Im "wasting" a days leave when I should be saving it for when the kids are off.

Its good to do something thats just for you.

WhoMovedMyCoffee · 13/09/2018 20:18

Not unreasonable at all. My SIL had a full school day to herself for a year or so when her kids were little and I copied her idea. Sanity saver! And she and I only had two children each.

Do stuff for you in that time off - it's only two hours so do something that relaxes and 'nourishes' you. Whole day, fine, do laundry and housework as well as relaxing. Only two hours? Read a book or just lie on the sofa watching a rubbish film.

Blameanamechange · 13/09/2018 20:18

It's probably whats keeping you sane OP! Everyone needs a bit of me time. It's not selfish its self preservation. A friend of mine is a martyr to her 4 kids and always moaning. Repect to you.

starfish8 · 13/09/2018 20:27

Sounds like an amazing idea to me! I have one kid and now he's started school, I'll be having Fridays off to myself. You have 5!

Enjoy it!

Di11y · 13/09/2018 20:29

I'm paid for 2.5 days a week but pay for 3 days childcare, 2 hours to myself and 2 hours quality time with my eldest before we collect my youngest.

Sometimes I have to work the extra so gives me the flex.

MrsMozart · 13/09/2018 20:35

Keep schtum and continue to enjoy!

Original poster
Digdeep79 · 13/09/2018 20:37

Thank you!!
I am going to enjoy my little secret Grin

DoYouLIkeHUey - that's exactly what I don't want! People seem to think I want company! Ha.

OP posts:
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 13/09/2018 20:37

YANBU. Superb idea.

Ragwort · 13/09/2018 20:37

You are not at all unreasonable, quite honestly with five children I would want more than one afternoon off Grin I work part time & only have one child (a teenager- so not so much 'hard work) but I crave my 'alone time'. I can choose my hours & much prefer to work weekends so that my days off are totally spent peacefully and on my own. Obviously I do have hobbies, visit friends & elderly parents etc but I just love spending time alone, I am generally very laid back and chilled but I am sure that is because I make a conscious decision to spend time alone - including night time, I refuse to share a bedroom with my DH Grin.

LanguidLobster · 13/09/2018 20:38

God no, go for it