To ask what lone parents do during days out?

[Justaonetimeting]

I mean during the part when the DC's are playing etc.
Had a lovely day out today but I feel like when they are occupied (at the park, wood etc) I just tend to look at my phone. Don't get me wrong I see a lot of people in relationships looking at their phones too but I suppose they could talk to eachother if they wanted.
Today it just felt like I was the only solo parent wherever I went

I see what you mean. I’m sure a lot of other families would like to go with you if you ask a friend with kids next time? The kids also tend to have a great time if there is another family in tow.

Watch DD, take photos, have a coffee and then read some articles on my phone. Mostly I'm ok being on my own, but I do get what you mean.

My worst was at Butlins. DD dancing with redcoats, to all the old tunes. I suggested I joined her. She was less than impressed and told me she'd made new friends and to look after the table. 🤣🤦‍♀️ It's a good job they had free WiFi in there.

@Bopahula I can see that already with my dd6, she's already making friends and going off, lucky I have ds4 to keep me company!

There is only me and DD(8), I'm quite an extrovert so normally end up chatting to random other families, but just occasionally it doesn't work out like that.

Kindle app on my phone can be a saviour :)

Look at my phone, take a book, bring a friend. It's boring sometimes.

Luckily I was raised by a single parent so I know that from the child's perspective I certainly felt like I had more 1:1 time.

It gets easier @Justaonetimeting , worst time of my life was being a sp to young kids. So marginalised. Its such a lonely grind. And its a stage of womens lives where they over identify with being a wife. Motherhood drains your status so women of v young children often take status from being a wife. Later everybody's back at work and nowhere near a park.

Ive ended up pitying people in relationships.

@WiseOwlOne I already feel a bit like that as I have a career I love. I think working full time sort of makes motherhood seem a bit more mundane, even if I enjoy it! It's a slower pace and I feel like I should be making the most of every opportunity.

Join in with the kids.

Am not a sp technically, but dh never came/comes with me and dc anywhere - certainly not to parks. I take a book. I never felt awkward. The only time I suppose I felt sorry for myself was when I used to take them swimming on a weekend and the pool would be full of dads with their kids. I'd pretty much be the only woman, although sometimes there would be another women, but the dad/partner would also be there. But I still did it. Dc are older now and I miss going to the park, but I must admit I don't miss the pool!

I watch them, take photos of them, sometimes join in. I might take a book or my kindle or go on my phone it depends what we are doing. We spend the majority of our time at theme parks so I m on everything with them. Not a single parent but DH does not share the theme park love we have and gets standard holidays whereas I don’t work school holidays so I do 90% of day trips just me and them.

I take a magazine, sit down in clear view of the kids and relax!

Read, relax, enjoy the peace while I can. But I’m sure plenty of people in relationships take their kids out on their own too so it’s not like you are the only single person there!

I am not a single parent but the dad never joins us on days out. I actually prefer to be on my own as I have 3 little ones and need to be on full alert at all times! I often arrange to meet a school friend so my older DD has someone to play with and I can chat to the mum. Or I just take a coffee and watch them play.

Same as pp about the swimming pool though. I often feel that is a bit of a ‘dad’ activity and I’m usually one of the only lone mums.

I'm not a single parent but I often take DCs out on my own. I would normally sit watching them and others and just having time to think and not get "muuummmmm'ed' every 5 minutes

Single mum here!

I’ve just got one four year and a half year old old. I have to admit I don’t really ever get bored when I’m out with him- he’s got better chat than most of the adults I know - but I know what you mean about “what do you do with yourself”....

For me... I join in. Or if he’s happily pottering I sit in the sun and enjoy the peace. Chat to other parents at the park. Read a book. Eat a sandwich. WhatsApp mates. Call my mum.
I take him on holiday on my own, and I love it. I drink a beer on the beach and people watch while he buries my legs or whatever. It’s lovely. Theyre moments of relative stillness/peace and I treasure that.

It can be shit if it’s raining though and ducking hate pushing the swings any time. Can’t talk to the kid because they can’t hear. Cant totally switch off. Can’t use my phone. Just have to stand and push.

I’d happily never see a swing again.

Try to sit and read despite hearing “Daddeeeeee look” every 6.35 seconds.

I now have a partner, my son thinks my partner is his best friend so now he suffers at the park instead

Gawp at my phone. I'm not a lone parent but I've spent many, many countless hours loitering around attractions like play areas on my own over the years. My DCs long reached the age of just needing to know where I am to check in.

It always amazed me how many people had someone to hang out with and that solo parents are the anomally. Where do they get the avaliable company from?

I usually rope in a friend or sit and chat on my phone, my dc are 10 so I'm pretty much just there as an embarrassing ornament therefore I despise going to the park anymore.

However when they were little I used to love taking them out get involved in what they were doing.
As a pp said the worst times were when we were on holiday, I have travelled all over with them from a young age and there is nothing quite so depressing, than finishing a fun day/evening and them going to bed just for you to sit there and stare at 4 walls.

I rely heavily on podcasts & audiobooks x

Mine can swing themselves. Growing up has its advantages.

I used to give them 20 pushes and count down. Great for their numeracy

I take a book. Did it when I was single and I still do it now

My dad is 4.5 and I've gone from really self conscious and bored to quite enjoying having 1 on 1 time. Our first week long holiday will be to Blackpool this year and I'm hoping to make memories for want of a better word. One of my best experiences was going on a solo holiday with my mum as a child so I'm hoping my dd feels the same.

I sometimes feel judged for looking at my phone even if it’s work emails so I tend to take a book just to have open (I can’t read and get into the storyline unless I have no distractions) and then I feel better about being on my phone

Plenty of parents take their kids out on their own, relationship or no relationship, I think you're over thinking it