What are you doing right now?

[Muchadoaboutlife]

I always thought having a family (husband and kids) meant I’d never be alone or lonely and my life would be full. It’s full but full of cleaning up after them and feeding them. Friday night and I’m on my own in the sitting room again while kids and husband are all in separate rooms on their devices/headphones/games. Is this normal? Do you spend evenings sat on your own while the rest of your family play on devices/consoles? What are your kids and partners doing right now?

Friday night and I’m on my own in the sitting room again while kids and husband are all in separate rooms on their devices/headphones/games.

That does sound sad. How old are your kids? How easy is it to keep so many rooms heated?

Pretending to work. DD is watching Peppa. Have to put the ham in the oven shortly, then go get DS.

Watching Holidate on Netflix and drinking Baileys.

On my own (like every evening), unless the pets count?

Insistence Scrabble sounds good -

I wouldn’t say it’s unusual for you to be in that situation. I know loads of couples/families like this. The key for us & believe me we have learned from our mistakes over the years is to make the effort to spend time together every evening where possible.

We’re just back from a walk, made dinner, ate together at the table, we talk about our day-no phones/tablets allowed. DS (8) is playing games on the living room floor & DD (14) is sitting beside me watching tv (she will however slip off shortly to do her own thing. Then me & DH will watch a movie & have a glass of wine & relax.

In bed ordering fried chicken

We've had a Friday night virtual pub Zoom call which was great with loads of laughs. Both watching Simon Reeves on catch up and I'm on here. We will walk down to the local pub shortly to pick up takeaway then probably watch Gogglebox. It's a nice chilled evening.

Thinking of DS currently on uni year abroad but sending me pics of the results of his new found love of cooking! DH watching shite (how it's made / truckers / bike racing) on YouTube feeling sorry for himself after dentist, & I'm in kitchen with Children In Need & a large drink - cheers MNers xxx

Single parent, 2dc 7&8...we've eaten together, played a game and now dc are watching an episode of a science programme before they go up for an hour in their room before bed, I'm sitting with them mumsnetting and having a gin!

Just put ds(4) to bed. Now on the sofa feeding ds (5mo) with dh. I'm on mn hes watching golf. Little will fall asleep on me and stay here while we watch a movie

Our evenings are a mix of both. We always have meals together but then it runs the gambit: Maybe movie together, maybe tv separately, ds when home (Uni) is usually downstairs doing his thing but we have a split level so although we’re sometimes separated we can usually hear what the other one is doing and it really makes a difference!

I'm in bed. I know how to live! Been awake since 4, went to work, did a bit of work on my dissertation and DH cooked tea. He's now getting ready for work (nights) I'm earlies in the morning.
There's nothing on the tele!!

DH and I are watching the rugby with a glass of wine. The DC (13, 8, 4) are playing a game on the switch together in the playroom, I can hear them laughing together. We just ate dinner together and are now all chilling out. I've no doubt my 4yo will be in here after cuddles shortly.

DD is out, DS 2 upstairs playing football manager, DS1 is away at uni.
DH is next to me on the sofa, the golf is on. I'm on call this weekend and have been back in twice already (since5!) So I'm eating chocolate before the next call!!

I'd love a night on my own!

My kids are grown up but still have one at home and she's up in her room doing whatever. DH is in lounge with me and we have Children In Need on TV whilst having a drink and awaiting Chinese Takeaway ( and yes I have donated to CIN )

I’d like to be snuggled up on the sofa with my family watching some tv.

Yup. I'm im bed, just had Indian takeaway, dp is next to me with headphones in because he's still buzzing about the football result last night and he's watching things about that which I refuse to watch. Eldest ds is in his room on xbox, youngest is in the living room watching tutorials on YouTube of drawing his favourite rapper. He specifically asked me to leave about 2 hours ago so he could have the TV to himself 🤣

Toddler went to bed at 7 30.
OH is in the shed on his Dec's, so I'm snuggled up watching the soaps.
8 mkinths pregnant , been at work all day.
OH is full time stay at home dad at the mo while I work 3 days a week, he cooked us fresh pasta and garlic bread for me getting home. I can't complain he wants a few hours out.
Plus I quite like the peace on A Friday night 😂

I finished working a flu vaccination clinic about 40 minutes ago, I got home to a takeaway (yay for DH) and we’re now watching the old top gear Burma special while the dog naps in front of the woodburner.

Watching Monty Python's Flying Circus with the kids - kind of a Friday night tradition with us. (DC are 9 and 12)

Most other nights we are all looking a different devices though! DH and I try to watch something together after kids are in bed. But sometimes we're just on devices too.

I'm watching CIN... Also planning a trip to see Ds2's first photographic exhibition in January with a friend. It was meant to be at the end of November but was postponed...
Ds2 has special needs and has developed an excellent photographic eye. He is being mentored by a local press photographer and a local gallery are paying for everything so that he can exhibit. He was the only exhibitor with a guaranteed place. All others had to fight for their places. V proud Mumma!

DS and DH are together watching some superhero crap on tv and I've come up to our bedroom to catch up on phone (news, social media, MN) as I can't bear the noise. I've had a couple (OK, 3) glasses of 🍷 and a M&S curry so was feeling quite chilled, but the noise from the tv was making me 🤪. Younger DS is already asleep. Once DS is in bed (hopefully in 15 mins) we'll spend half an hour deciding what to watch and DH will then fall asleep on sofa part way through. I miss Gardener's world on a Friday night - a nice bit of Monty to set me up for the weekend!

Watching children in need with dh. Both teenage dds are upstairs in their rooms like they are most evening.

Awaiting OH's return with the Thai takeaway I've been dreaming about all day. Probably a bit of TV and then ready for an early night.

We are watching the rugby. Just had a take away. DD and bf are in the other room on Xbox. Cat is asleep next to me