To ask what you would do in 2019 if...

[ShitOnItt]

... you are planning to TTC in 2020?

We are getting married early next year and I’ve said to DP I would like to enjoy the first year of being married before we think about having children (he is keen!). We will be 27 (me) and 30 (him).

So, as this could potentially be our last child/pregnancy free year (although I am assuming it will take a while for various reasons!).... what would be on your list to do/make the most of before having kids?

Things I’ve got on the list so far range from boring (save up a certain amount and finish work exams) to low key but fun (have a boozy weekend just the two of us in a nice hotel).

Do up your house. I still do city breaks, holidays etc, but never get a minute to do painting and decorating.
See loads of plays, read loads of books, eat in fancy places and wear nice clothes.
Climb the career ladder
Save and pay towards mortgage.
Bloody hek, I sound so dull!

Spontaneous trips to the pub for tea, cinema, cinema, cinema, adventurous travel, sleep, don’t take lie ins for granted. Kids are great and I love them so much but bloody hell it is HARD sometimes!!!!!

@TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup

Oh my god at the end I thought you put
Annnnaaallllll sex

@TheDarkPassenger
If the mood takes you...

I’m in the same position as you! Getting married in May, ttc as of next Christmas. As well as our honeymoon to the Caribbean we are booking a week in Las Vegas later in the year, purely because we’ve always wanted to go and it doesn’t seem very kid friendly! Also have a weekend in Paris for fashion week, and I’ve booked tickets to a beauty festival I’ve always wanted to go to. I’ve also booked lots of weekends up to London for stage shows and comedians, just really trying to make next year busy!

Side note- I’ve also ordered a bunch of pregnancy vitamins and will start taking them in the new year, so that my body is ready by December. So scary writing it all down!!!

Agree with travelling. I know people say of course you can take your baby trekking in Peru but realistically we’re resigned to uk holiday cottages and family friendly European packages for the next few years. Fine for what it is but definitely not relaxing!

Also boringly get things in order. Finances, house clear out, sort out your paperwork. Do an evening class you’ve always wanted to do. There just seems to be no time to do that stuff with small children.

Lastly enjoy each other’s company. We have no family/babysitters nearby with pre school aged children so although we each have time away from the children we very rarely have time just the two of us. Like dinner twice a year rare. So enjoy going for long lazy lunches, walks holding hands without worrying about crying babies or absconding toddlers, simple things you take for granted now that you’ll miss for a few years.

Children bring untold joys but I wouldn’t half enjoy a few child free weekends a year to do all of those things!

All inclusives to far flung places - the Maldives is a good recommendation

That and lie ins!!!!

I would have a long bath every day. I would go shopping alone and take all day trying on clothes and deciding what to buy. I'd have a lovely holiday and drink too much alcohol while there. I'd decorate the whole house. I'd sunbathe in the garden in summer with a cup of tea reading a book. I'd have a lie in at the weekends.

These are all things I have not been able to do since having my lovely dc. Wouldn't swap it all though.

Hiking. I miss long walks in my sensible boots. To be fair to ds1 he loves getting out and about, but still only has little legs. And the baby gets heavy in the sling after a while.

Go on a stay-cation somewhere not too close to home, check in, go straight to the bar, stay there till dinner time then drink some more - DH and I miss our Scottish adventures!

Travelling. Drinking. Sleeping. Having sex. Going out for meals together. Lazy weekends away. Lazy weekends in bed. Just enjoy each other.

Although I will say...dont assume things will go to plan. It took us a while of TTC to get pregnant. So don't focus on what you need to do before you try. Just enjoy being a couple as you would and then see what happens.