Just us girls for 5 days

[Onceiwassevenyearsold]

Dh is going away next week, I’ll be home alone with Dd, 6. We live abroad, so no family around, but will see friends two of the afternoons.
Any ideas what we can do for girly times together?

It depends on what he usually joins in with. My DD wou do Just Dance etc, yoga, they both like face masks/nail painting etc. My DP was sent went to the pub to watch the semi final, I finally watched the Barbie Movie.

Perhaps have a ‘no reason’ party/playdate with 3-4 of her friends as Dad isn’t around to be stressed by it

Fucking hell.

You know, I read so much on here about men and their weaponsised incompetence (not that it's something I've ever encountered in real life) and now I see it's partner in crime.

Weaponised infantilisation.

There is nothing at all wrong with doing activities normally seen as 'girl-coded'. It isn't the slightest bit feminist to denigrate them and elevate things that are socially linked with boys, it's internalised misogyny. It is the girl part that is being attacked - if boys were associated with face packs and girls with tree-climbing, you can guarantee tree-climbing would be ripped to shreds.

Well that's not true is it?

When I was a child, climbing trees was for everyone. Boys and girls. It was just an activity. As woth most of the other activities suggested (camping, hiking, watching films etc).

Pampering, face masks etc are for women. Adults. Children have no need for such things and would generally rather be 'doing' than lying around waiting for a face mask to dry on skin that won't look or feel any different afterwards. Because they're 6.

Nails can be fun and both of my children (m and f) liked having their nails painted.

No one is denigrating 'feminine' things just that most children would rather be active or doing something at least. And there is plenty of time for her to learn that her main job in life is to be 'pretty'

Fun things I get, but yes I too hate this 'girly' thing

Get fun food like popcorn, fun ice creams, 'good' retro movies from when you were young, craft building or science experiment things from youtube with household ingredients

She's about the right age for a vinegar and bicarbonate of soda volcano...

One of my daughter's favourite memories is when we got up early one morning to drive out to the nature reserve, sat on a hill and watched the sunrise with a flask of hot chocolate and croissants for breakfast. Then we came home and fell asleep in front of The Goonies.

Write a list together and tick something off every day.

But there you are denigrating "girly night' to the child learning that her main job on life is to be pretty.

Thats not it, it could be a film the dad maybe wouldnt want to watch or making jewellery. Girly night isnt just vacuous, meaningless pursuits night.

Guessing you are off work so can plan full days. Depends where you live but I would go for things you enjoy, doesn't have to be expensive or exciting. Beach day? Shopping? Swimming? Perhaps one day out somewhere further away? Take a train ride somewhere.

Take her on holiday

Girly night isnt just vacuous, meaningless pursuits night.

Of course not - what would it entail?

I did give a couple of examples of examples in my post.

But i remember having some serious chats with my mum 🤣. Well serious for a child.
But that was during 'girly' pursuits that people like to shit on these days.
But i was an old dear who like cross stitch and knitting.
But was also a tomboy haha

I'm not.

I occasionally referred to time I spent alone with my daughter as 'girly time' when she was younger or a 'girly road trip' when we went off camping. If we did stuff without her brother, it was just the girls doing stuff. So I'm well aware it doesn't have to he vacuous. That's my point.

Personally, I haven't said anything about the term 'girly time'. My response was firstly, to those suggesting that shoping, face masks and general pampering was an interesting and fun activity for a 6 year old girl. And secondly to whoever it was that suggested that climbing trees was a boys activity and nails was for girls.

And, yes, if the night is focused on doing your hair, having face masks, doing your nails and make up it is 100% about nothing more than making yourself look pretty. It might make some.wpmen feel good about themselves or better but that is because they have have improved their appearance.

Love some of the ideas on here so I’m taking inspiration! I’m interpreting this thread to be more about bonding time ideas for parent and child

Yes facemasks etc are for adult women but some girls like to imitate their mothers and do the same thing and they shouldnt be shamed for it.

Its bonding and relaxing too not all about looks

It's also quite boring when you're 6 😉 and not all adult women are interested anyway.

But they do have 5 days to fill so I'm sure there will be plenty of time for everything.

I did say some girls 😉
I did at times when I was 6

@GreyCarpet I'm not sure if you're aware but your skin is the largest organ in the body. Face masks aren't about making yourself pretty, it's about investing time in looking after said organ. And relaxing in the meantime if someone finds it so. However, having been a 6 year old girl once and also having a young daughter of my own, I can categorically state that these things aren't about 'prettifying' yourself. It's about a child imitating their mother for one and having fun in the process. The same as a child playing with a toy kitchen or a pretend phone or a drill etc etc. A large number of girls ask for bright nails the same way they ask for face paint and glitter in their hair. Don't insinuate someone is hammering gender roles and expectations into their child's heads. When did people get so caught up in this crap?

You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder even feeling the need to say that not all adult women enjoy partaking in skin care! Of course they bloody don't! Nobody is saying you do. But let's stop shaming women for partaking in perceived feminine practice and allow everyone to do as they please. The OP knows her DD.

@Lwrenn what you wrote about when your daughter was newborn and in hospital and you talked to her about all the things you are going to do together just made me cry. That is so lovely. I hope she’s doing okay now.

You sound like an ace Mum - especially with the mammoth amounts of Uno 😅

Why are people being so rude on this post? OP was obviously asking for some suggestions that she and her DD could do together as a treat.
My DH has been away this week, my DD is only 2 so it's quite a bit different but so far we have:
Stayed up later than we should have watching Despicable Me which she loved, gone for lunch together just the two of us (this was a brave choice but she was actually compliant), gone "shopping" which just involved her picking out clothes with Minnie Mouse on them. Tomorrow we are going to the cinema for the first time!
You could do a downstairs sleepover, face masks, get your nails done, go shopping, cook together, go out for lunch, do some crafts, go to the cinema.
I hope you have a lovely time whatever you choose to do :).

I'm not sure if you're aware but your skin is the largest organ in the body.

Of course I'm aware of that. Not sure what it's got to do with putting a mask on a 6 year olds face though 🤷🏻‍♀️

The OP knows her DD.

Yes. And she said she's a 'tomboy'. And yet people are still suggesting shopping, nails and face masks on the basis that she's a girl.

Would they still be suggesting shopping trips if she were a boy? Highly unlikely.

Have a look at 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4, some great ideas there.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/50-things

If you weren't seeing friends, I'd have gone on a camping trip to a small farm campsite and gone on walks and built dens and other activities from there.

Movie night. Shopping, home spa afternoon, make your own pizza night.
I've always loved girlie days with mine, I've booked a week next week off work to do just the same - they are 18 and 20 though and still love it just as much as me!! Happy memories

Awww thank you! She is doing so well now and almost one! She's absolutely terrific! Thank you! 💐❤️

Agree, it's clear what op meant. What's her favourite things to do op, look to see if there's any events in your area. Are you close to London? A special high tea, day out in London?