To find the evenings so boring?

[MsMustDoBetter]

I'm so bored of the evening routine. DC dinner, bath, bed, and our dinner. I know that it's just life, but I'm bored to tears.

Is it just me? Some days it's as if I'm just going through the motions. It's so dull.

I found myself in this routine but I was commuting on top so not getting in until 8.00pm. Cooking dinner. Watching TV for an hour then getting ready for the next day and bed - back up at 5.30am. I made a New Years Resolution to change that and to start taking advantage of being in Central London - have to be honest I pretty much caned it for the first 6 months - Ballet, theatre,gigs, art exhibitions, restaurants, cocktails, burlesque etc. I’ve eased off the last month or so because my friend left for a new job and I want to save for a big holiday next year ( for my 50th) but I continue to keep an eye out for cheap tickets and offers. It’s been a breath of fresh air and has made me appreciate my evenings in a lot more

Yep. I’m trying to not let it over whelm me but as a single mum to a six year old it’s depressing knowing that when I get home that’s it. Stuck in the house until the next time I go to work. I don’t even do anything productive with them. Just sit and waste them because I feel miserable. Need to improve my attitude to them.

It's the weather.

It makes you want to be sitting outside drinking cocktails with friends.

Reading and wine saves me. Wine isn't a great way to deal with it though.

I also have to tutor my 6 year old as soon as he's in so it's school.run, home, 1.5 hours of homework, chores, tantrums, feeding them, walking the dog with them, bathtime, getting them to go the fuck to sleep. For the next decade and a half. 😭

Do you have a partner? I agree, I’m sat down now facing yet another night of clearing up toys, pots etc and getting ready for the next day. It’s relentless. On nights like tonight I just wish I could bugger off to the pub, even on my own for an hour, but I can’t. It will pass and dc will get older giving us a bit more freedom.

I've felt bored to tears every evening this week. Box set after box set, for years on end. I can't watch for longer than half an hour these days or I get a headache.

I have stopped reading too, which was one of my big loves. Can't seem to focus.

I’m too bloody tired of an evening to even think about getting ready and going out and my dc are older than yours. I’m a completely different person at weekends mind, work, school, commute, kids’ activities and my own training are all pretty boring to be fair but just exhaust me in the week. I’m happy to see my sofa at the end of the day.

Why can't you go to the park with a picnic after school with friends? Is there a reason why your DC need such a strict routine that going to the park, having a picnic and going home to have a bath and go to bed by 7 is a problem?

I used to be a single mum and me and my other single mum friends did this a lot. Kids loved it and we would often have a glass of wine and a laugh whilst the DC all played.

Or midweek bbqs, I had one the other evening, and it was lovely. Everyone left between 7 and 8 to get their DC home and to bed and it was lovely to be sociable in the week.

We often go to the pub for dinner with friends where theres a kids play area.

I would take my DC when they were younger for a chip shop tea and we'd eat it in the park. When its lovely weather outside I used to feel shit stuck in my old flat with the DC. They're older now and I have a garden but it was monotonous when they were primary age but only you can change that.

I love evenings just watching Netflix with dp now, but we have hectic weekends so I like not doing a lot.

I’ve just joined a health club. I have a 4 and 2 year old and I work part time. I am so fed up of the bath/bed/tidy/organise for morning routine that I need something else.

It’s a nice place to go. Some of my friends go there too. Only slight issue is I feel bad going out and leaving DH to deal with it all a few nights per week. He plays football and runs a bit though.

I would love to go for a walk etc after work but I just don’t see that we have the time. Pick the kids up from nursery and give them their tea and it’s already 6.45.

Can you take up a hobby? Running, reading, gymnastics..?

YANBU. I loathe evenings.

I must confess I love the evening wind down and am happy to sit in the garden with a pot of tea/ glass of wine and a book or my friend and myself skype and have a chat. Not the same but still company

Are you a single parent?

It can be so tedious. I get out at least two evenings a week for Pilates, meal/cinema with friend. It keeps me sane. Sitting in front of the TV every evening is just mind numbing & so unhealthy.

Monotony is just a part of life when you have young ones. You should be applauded for giving your children routine and structure to their days. When they are grown you will remember these times with fondness. My youngest son, now 25, came home for this weekend (he lives in Edinburgh now) - we did the same dull things but it was so lovely having him with us to do them!

It's gone 9 and my kids are still pissing around upstairs. Send help! They're gonna be a nightmare to get up for school tomorrow.

Just realised you're using 'we' so not a lone parent then.
I literally don't get this. There's two of you. If you're bored, go out, take it turns.

If you have a partner you have nothing to complain about. You could get a babysitter and go out. You could go out leave your partner at home. You could have friends around. You could get a hobby and do that instead of tv. Life is what you make it. I love the evenings - when kids went to bed it was precious time with my husband. When he passed away (when kids were 4 and 6) it was hard but still enjoyed my me time. Now kids are teens and it’s time to engage with them and do stuff together - less in term time obviously. But right now my daughter and I are enjoying a takeaway and watching a box set. We are chatting about the show and enjoying hanging out. Enjoy what you have. Change what you can. It’s up to you.

I hate the monotony of term time week days. DH works away Monday to Friday so can't share the load with him. My eldest will babysit once a week but even the rush to get everything ready for that evening can turn into a chore, although I do enjoy meeting friends once a week.
The kids clubs mean we pretty much have to do the same things on the same nights even down to eating similar foods.
It's so claustrophobic. I can't wait for the holidays to have a bit of freedom back.

I love the evenings so much. Highlight of my day.

Some tough love here OP! But good advice. Either get a life with the DC in tow or get a life while partner stays home with the DC. We all have to carve out our own ways of living. . . if that’s Netflix on the sofa after a busy day, then fair play but you definitely need more!

Same here

It's extremely dull

Can the kids join cubs/scouts so you can do something you want to do for two hours? Our group is £35 per term. I’m also in a drama group which for children is just £5 for the year as we cover our costs with shows we put on. Adults can join too for £15 per year.

I don’t have Netflix/Boxsets so I’m forced to find other things to do.