Weekends

[Justkeeepsmiling]

Hi all, AIBU to ask what everyone does at the weekends? I have a DS 10, Never really do much, DS sometimes has friends round, I do the housework. We sometimes do a food shop. Thats it, Thats as exciting as it gets. I have no family local and all my friends are coupled up. I struggle to keep my mind busy, and its starting to get me down, and I worry that it has an effect on my DS too. he does moan that he is bored too, I struggle to think of things to do with him. Its now 12.54pm, everything that needs doing has been done, and Im just staring out the window, i truely think its sending me crazy. Any tips?

That said right now they're entertaining themselves and I'm having a long bath with a film, my phone and a teeny glass of wine.

If at times he's happy to play computer games at that time could you do some crafts to occupy you. A few ladies at my slimming world group do this diamond pictures. Stops the snacking for them mainly but things like this would occupy you.

Parkrun, sometimes brunch afterwards. Then boring jobs

Sounds like maybe you could do with meeting up with other parents and children. If you don't know anyone, what about meet-up?

I love taking my boys out for a long bike ride. Could you do that? Do you have bikes?

In winter, I always aim for one day over the weekend for the kids to have a PJ day. They are younger (6 and 4) both in FT school and out until 6pm x3 days a week when I work.

I feel like we all need this though and we all benefit from it.

Are there any clubs he would like to join? Any regular play dates you could set up? Can you aim for once a month doing "something special" and having a day out.

How about an online course - something you can do whilst DS is playing. Look at coursera there is some great stuff on there, you can also contribute to the forums on some courses.

Do you enjoy cooking? Could you get him into that, ie preparing a lovely dinner + pud together?
DS 10 and I have started watching Masterchef together and he's now really inspired to learn to cook his 3-5 favourite dishes.
(My friend has two DS, 12 and 15, and they cook proper meals independently twice a week now, I was really inspired by that!)

P.S: I also love doing a bit of artwork or something crafty - proper therapeutic!

Weekends can be very lonely as a single parent. If DS is occupied you could read a book, watch something on catchup?

Get a hobby! Just for you (or I suppose, together). Sport, art, studying for fun, join a choir. Have a look at local clubs and colleges.

@handbagsandhairdryers i remember that well.The days dragging in.What i used to do was go out in the afternoon,dress kids for bed and just go out.For a hot chocolate or the bus in to town.For some late night shopping.

I have a really demanding job and work 12 hours on Fridays, so usually we have a quiet Saturday apart from swimming lessons mid morning. On Sundays DS has rugby training then we go out for lunch or cook a roast at home, have a walk athrough a National Trust place, meet family or sometimes the kids have a party to go to.

Volunteer to be a dog walker? Might even make money out of it in the end!!!!

Me, DP, 4 primary school age DCs, permanently skint but happy. We do
Walks locally (but live in yorkshire dales)
Local free/cheap museums/castles/abbeys etc, if not free we tend to not do the expensive bits
Seaside
Local things eg. Council run events, santa/Halloween trail, kite making
Camping (have massive bell tent and non glamourous van converted into camper)
All with picnic from home.
Crafts/board games at home.

But the local paper to see what’s happening locally x

We're rural and there isn't a fat lot to do so unless there is a birthday party etc to attend, we see family, go to church, get out with the dog and maybe do some baking. But I'm a big believer in the importance of children learning to entertain themselves. And I find I need some time to slow down, read the papers and forget about the to do list. If only for half a day!

Crap. Sorry! Reading that back it's not terribly helpful!

Thank you all, all good tips, and I do do most things suggested. However, they're not something I can do every week, keeping DS isn't always the problem, it's finding something that I can do and enjoy too, which can be tricky when I always have a 10 yo in tow.

I think you'll struggle in finding something both you and a 10 year old boy find mutually "fun". 😊

Long proper walks with the dog and then ice cream/hot chocolate/chips?

I go walking at least once every weekend unless the weather is really awful. I usually have a pub lunch too, but might not always work with DC, but there are family friendly pubs, obviously.

Country/city parks often have wooded areas, adventure playgrounds,swings etc or petting zoos to keep DC entertained, plus nice gardens to look at.

Doesn't have to cost much if you get the right season ticket, take a picnic or find a free place to park on the outskirts.

Look on your local council website for places to go, activity sessions etc. My city has loads of big parks/houses/ruins etc to visit.

lulastic.co.uk/parenting/sites-mutual-fulfillment/ X x