To have a really lazy weekend

[agathatrunch]

Our weekends are usually taken up with ds hobby which involves lots of travel. He has a free weekend which is rare and I'm feeling like we should make the most of it by doing something fun as a family. But equally the weather the shit, I'm starting with a horrid head cold and I would love to stay cosy at home. The danger here being that when we do this both kids gravitate towards screen and I end up feeling guilty.

Aibu to let it slide for one weekend? We may pop out for haircuts and a hot chocolate. Or a dog walk. But otherwise I just can't be arsed. Why do I always feel so guilty?

Why do you feel guilty?

It's February and freezing. Stay at home. Why do we all pay through the nose for housing then decide society says we should be out all the time?

I've never felt guilty about having a lazy weekend.

If I had loads of wholesome stuff planned I wouldn't feel so bad. But the reality will be all of us sat in different rooms on screens of some kind. It's almost easier to go out sometimes. But it's cold and I feel crap and it always costs me money 😂

Have a lazy weekend and tell them so. From experience, my DS takes so much more pleasure from a weekend like this when he knows he can have as much screen time as he likes than one where, once he's over his usual limits, he's constantly guessing when I'll be telling him to come off. If he knows he's got all day, he'll relax and enjoy it.

Oh just be lazy for one weekend! Embrace it- there is too much pressure to 'do' these days. Just get up when you feel like it. Maybe go out to buy some nice food for dinner- get your favourite snacks in.
I'm assuming you are in the UK with the shit grey freezing weather? I'm planning on nipping out for supplies and staying put in front of the TV tomorrow feeling warm and cosy - sick of battling through as I have all week

Send dh out to do the wholesome stuff..sit and eat biscuits on the sofa.

I see these posts now and then on here and just refuse to believe people actually feel guilt or are looking for some sort of permission to have a ‘lazy’ weekend.

It’s one weekend! When I was growing up, we went to my dad’s for the weekend every week and we would always go somewhere. We had fab trips and have great memories but my sister & I both agree that our favourite weekends were the ones when the weather was rubbish and we would go to the video shop instead of a day out. A movie day is still one of my go to’s when I want to have a lazy weekend

Agreed. It smacks of humblebragging.

I really don't understand what there is to feel guilty about.

Stay at home, OP! The weather forecast (here, at least) is shit; no-one wants to be out in freezing, horizontal rain, especially if you're fending off the lurgy. If you want to make something of the weekend, embrace the cosy at home. You could still have a chilled weekend but make the effort to keep the kids off screens - depending on their ages you could spend time with them doing whatever they're into (lego / films / board games / etc) with some nice food / snacks, blankets on the sofa and relax. It's what I'd do, anyway!

It's also because my eldest spends EOW at his dads so I feel like when he's home I have to make more effort iyswim. But think we all probably need a restful weekend and the forecast here is grim and grey.

I don't get this. Who is pressurising you?

It's not lazy. Staying in the house you pay for, with the people you love, with the things you like. I don't see an issue. When I was a kid we went nowhere except the supermarket and library at the weekend. Why is there such hand wringing about normal life.

Agree, what's wrong with a lazy weekend. Do folk really need to ask???

It's like mum guilt when a woman is asked to go on a night out or a weekend away with friends.

You don't actually have to buy into this bollocks. I bet you weren't constantly entertained and bought stuff every weekend as a kid.

It's fine. Do whatever you want, even if that's very little.

Downtime is vital for health. It's not lazy or wrong to have a day at home doing whatever you like.

Omg the horror of screens for a couple of days! That truly is a danger and you must avoid it at all costs....Seriously, chill

We finished for half term today, all of us have colds, coughs etc etc.

Nowhere to be, nothing to do..... you bet we are having a lazy day tomorrow. I used to get het up about screen time but my DD7 has dyspraxia and after a few weeks of school, swimming, clubs she is exhausted! She's going to watch as much TV as she likes, whilst she potters about playing. With a hot chocolate thrown in here or there and she will be much happier for it.

Sometimes we need rest and screens are not the devil.

I get the guilt, screen time is so frowned upon, so is being left to their own devices but honestly, sometimes it is needed.

Sometimes my girl says "I just need no-one talking to me for a while" and oh... I get it!

Sounds like a perfect weekend. Take the dog out for a couple of walks and otherwise snuggle in front of a few good movies with hot drinks and snacks. Relish the opportunity!

What a strange post

OP I get it, I very rarely have a weekend without structure, I do struggle if the house is not clean and I’m in it. I hate cleaning so I usually go out instead! And I hate people lazing around, feels sluggish and unhealthy. I think I have a constant fear of being discovered to be a lazy person underneath it all. But a weekend of lazing every now and then is actually very healthy.

I hereby grant you permission to enjoy a lazy weekend.

Look, it’s half term, weather is awful, everyone’s tired. Having a lazy weekend is NEEDED. If getting out for a hot chocolate and a dog walk is the only thing you do, you’ve done something.

Do a lazy food shop - oven meal, or fresh pasta and sauce, or cold meats cheeses veg sticks and dips. Plonk yourselves in front of the tv and watch gladiators then a film. Get some rest. Read a book. Have a shower. Light a candle. Breathe.

What's strange about it?

I genuinely feel guilty if I have a day off with DC and we don’t do something/ go somewhere. That’s not bragging, it’s a rubbish feeling.

I'm not sure what the need is for so much hostility and sniping. I'm not 'humblebragging' and I don't think it's strange to feel a bit guilty when you simply can't be arsed to do something with your dc on your day off.

Had I created a post saying that my kids were on their iPads for 8 hours a day you can bet I'd have my arse handed to me then as well. Cant win on here sometimes.