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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it ok to have a lazy day

60 replies

honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:02

Been a truly lazy day today. PJs til noon. Rain all day. Dh has just taken the toddler for a quick walk to get some air in between the showers. Tween is now complaining he's bored and has been on screens most of the day. Even though I know it's fine once in a while I still feel guilty for being lazy.
Tween does ordinarily love to be outdoors but it's so wet he can't even go in the garden.

OP posts:
AtrociousCircumstance · 28/04/2024 15:03

It’s more than ok. It’s necessary. And tweens need a bit of boredom and down time every now and then.

Enjoy the rest 😊

TeaKitten · 28/04/2024 15:03

Well if he wants to go in the garden he can, doesn’t mean you have to. Couldn’t he have gone for the walk if he really wanted to? Lazy days are good for everyone occasionally, as is being bored. Enjoy it and relax

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:05

He could go in the garden but he's in that mood now where nothing I suggest is right. He's so used to being busy that he doesn't know what to do with himself on days like this and ends up getting grumpy. I've let him have free rein of screens, suggested reading, drawing, cooking something. I've just left him to it now.

OP posts:
Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 28/04/2024 15:05

It’s fine. Boredom only means they have to think for themselves and I’m sure you have some housework or ironing etc that they can be getting on with, or they could be doing some homework or reading around any of their subject matter or revising... ..!

I suspect they will very quickly not be ‘bored.’

Treelichen · 28/04/2024 15:08

I was in bed until midday. I couldn’t be bothered cooking either so we’ve just returned from the steakhouse in the village after having a Sunday roast. I plan to have a nap now. I’ve done nothing productive all day but I’m good with that.

ColdSunday · 28/04/2024 15:10
Confused

Of course it is.

underscorer · 28/04/2024 15:12

Of course it is. They don't need to be entertained every second of every day.

WhamBamThankU · 28/04/2024 15:15

You've sort of set yourself up for this by always providing 'entertainment' ie activities etc. It's good for kids to learn how to make their own fun.

Newname71 · 28/04/2024 15:17

I have a lazy day every Sunday. I work Monday to Friday and spend my Saturdays with DM. I need to recharge my batteries 😀. I’ve done a couple of loads of washing, sorted some socks while watching a film and I’ll cook tea later, other than that I’m doing nowt.

Crunchymum · 28/04/2024 15:19

We regularly have lazy days in the winter. However I do limit screen time (mine would spend all day on the ipad otherwise!)

I don't really understand why you need to ask if this is okay?

EveryOtherNameTaken · 28/04/2024 15:26

I think it's great for your health to have a totally lazy day. Just thanking yourself for all the work you've done all week 😁

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:29

Crunchymum · 28/04/2024 15:19

We regularly have lazy days in the winter. However I do limit screen time (mine would spend all day on the ipad otherwise!)

I don't really understand why you need to ask if this is okay?

Just because I feel like in our free family time we should be doing more. Not necessarily big family days out but spending quality time together. I'd probably have felt better if we'd played a board game or something but I can't even be arsed with that today. I've done some washing and ironing, we will have a roast later and the kids have very much been left to their own devices (literally).

OP posts:
fieldsofbutterflies · 28/04/2024 15:31

Of course it is - why on earth wouldn't it be?

I do it at least once a week.

shoppingshamed · 28/04/2024 15:32

Have you had a child for more than 10 years and not had a day of doing nothing?

That can't be true can it? Children have to learn to amuse themselves without parents

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:34

You know it's fine for him to be a bit bored he could have gone with his dad if he was that bored, you are not the in-house entertainment!

BirthdayRainbow · 28/04/2024 15:37

Is the faux insecurity or do you genuinely not know that sometimes everyone needs to be bored, quiet, not entertained by someone else all the time?

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:44

I'm fine with a lazy day I just feel bad that it's been a lazy parenting day I suppose.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:47

How is hanging about the house lazy parenting?

BirthdayRainbow · 28/04/2024 15:47

But it's not. You're job is to teach your kids to be okay with their own company and to be able to entertain themselves.

fieldsofbutterflies · 28/04/2024 15:47

honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:44

I'm fine with a lazy day I just feel bad that it's been a lazy parenting day I suppose.

What makes you think it's lazy parenting?

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:52

Just because I haven't done anything with them and basically left them to entertain themselves but I suppose as long as they are warm and fed it won't do any harm.

OP posts:
Applescruffle · 28/04/2024 15:54

Come on OP, put some effort in

If you're going to have a lazy day, you don't get out of your PJs at noon, you wait until at least 2pm, if at all. And a walk?!

8/10 for lazy day efforts 😜

We are having a lazy day today. Its been very pleasant. Friday after school and all of yesterday was filles with activities and fun stuff and we didn't get home until late last night. DH is playing computer games, DS has decided to rewatch an entire series he enjoyed a few years back. Neither of the kids are dressed although DH and I are. DD said she was going to get dressed out of her onsie about 2:30pm but must have got distracted as I have just peeked in on her and she is playing in her room with her barbies, completly naked 😄 I am netflixing and mumsnetting on the sofa
No fucks given. Its your day, do as you all please.

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:55

But you don't have to do anything with them all the time, I mean the toddler will need amused and supervision but they can still potter about. If your eldest is bored what is he doing about it.

Original poster
honeyb33 · 28/04/2024 15:58

Mrsjayy · 28/04/2024 15:55

But you don't have to do anything with them all the time, I mean the toddler will need amused and supervision but they can still potter about. If your eldest is bored what is he doing about it.

Currently dribbling a football around his bedroom 😂

OP posts:
Desperatelyneedabreak · 28/04/2024 15:59

Wow lucky you my preteens hate leaving the house!

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