How would you spend a child free evening?

[anlyin]

I love my kids but it's been so long since I've had a break from them. Fantasising about an evening off at home - what would you do?

I'd go with:
relaxing soak - hair and face mask
deliveroo some dinner AND a dessert...watch out
movie in bed (new sheets and candles)
bottle of red

I'd plan to do a whole host of lovely stuff then end up down a MN rabbit hole that would cost me three hours.

Then a wine.

Then bed.

I'm divorced and ex is involved so I get a few childfree nights a month. If it's a weekday I go out for a coffee after work, read my book, take my time and not rush Then I go home and chill, cook myself a dinner that DS doesn't like. Watch TV.

If it's a weekend I meet friends or family for drinks.

Exactly the same as you OP

Long bath, Indian takeaway, bottle of wine and a film.

Thai food and a movie.

Legs stretched out on the sofa I can never usually sit on by myself and watch Paranormal Lockdown with Nick Geoff

I'd buy a new novel, new PJs and a naice hot chocolate in preparation- then I'd curl up on the sofa, dim the lights and relax.

Our kids are all over 8 now and pretty self sufficient so we get to do the chocolate, wine, books and baths etc already but for an actual child free night where the kids are away somewhere? God I have no idea. It's only ever happened once or twice in 14 years and they were only for important weddings.

I guess we would go out for dinner. Eldest is old enough to babysit now and there's a restaurant a few minutes walk away. I might see if DH will take me to dinner soon. That would be my ideal night. Having my dinner cooked for me, no dishes and plenty of over indulging on the expensive gin selection behind the bar.

When we have child free nights we have a late evening walk (if it's nice enough weather) or have a wander around the supermarket (feels like a massive luxury when we have no kids!) and then get a takeaway. After that it's just a regular night in but with that "relaxed" feeling that you get when you know you're not on duty.

Out for a meal with DP.

Your plan sounds pretty perfect to me OP. We’ve got our first child free evening out next week since DS was born 6 months ago (also have DD3 so nights out are rare) and I’m looking forward to eating and drinking without one ear to the baby monitor

Clean pjs , clean bedding, shower, and sleep!! We have had 3 child free nights in 14 years the prospect of being able to actually sleep, not the shit sleep you have when kids are here and you're half listening for that cry or muuuummmm