Seriously - what do you do (home alone).

[Breadandsticks]

I’m alone this evening. No children no partner.

Im sitting on the sofa overwhelmed by what I could do (read, I don’t want to watch a show, draw…) that I’ve frozen and I’m doing absolutely nothing!

What does one do when they have a whole evening to themselves?

Why is it we dream of having a moment alone without the family and when we get the chance it feels like a paralysis.

Tbh, I can understand going out and staying in as they both meet different needs.

What I really cant get my head round is the women who stay in and spend the time doing housework!

Sometimes I go out. Sometimes it’s nice to stay at home alone when you don’t often get the chance. Depends what you fancy, doesn’t it? Also, I get the chance to go out any night because my DH is home to have the kids, so I don’t need to wait for a child free night to go out.

Perhaps because it's the novelty of having the house to themself for a change?

I binge watch Shite TV programmes, read & eat rubbish food. Generally I spoil myself & I don't feel guilty coz it doesn't happen often & I deserve it..

Fair point .

I live alone so its no novelty for me

Even when the kids were young I was stuck in with them unless they were elsewhere

God, chance would be a fine thing! Not kids, these days, it’s my ever-present MIL.

I’d order pizza in, find something I haven’t been able to watch yet, grab a book or fire up the games console.

My DM would, almost inevitably, ring me halfway through the film though, (she has a sixth sense), so 🤷

My DM would, almost inevitably, ring me halfway through the film though, (she has a sixth sense)

The good thing about phones is that you don’t have to answer them 😉

Reading my book with a glass of fizz and a nice snack then cooking something really good for dinner, pop on a show, bath and more reading. Occasionally I’ll tackle a wardrobe / do some kind of cupboard organising

Do you actually need to be alone in the house to do that stuff though? Similar with most people's options on here

DH is away with work one night next week. DCs will be here but once I've fed them I can leave them to their own devices so I see my current favourite pizza, glass of two of red and a good book in my future. No background noise!

No. But normally dinner has to suit 5 of us, including autistic DS who struggles with certain foods. I can have a glass of fizz and a snack and a bath any time, but usually alongside tweens asking for help with homework, or watching something on TV with me, or wanting to chat (which I don’t mind, obviously but it means I’m not alone!). I also often have to take them to/from activities in the evenings. Family life is busy with three children, and sometimes it’s nice to do those things entirely alone, in peace. I don’t know why some posters seem to object to others just saying how they’d spend an evening alone, as per the question posed in the OP 🤷🏻‍♀️.
You said before that you’re a single parent so get evenings alone a lot. That will be why it’s not a novelty for you. I get about 2 a year. So it’s nice to do normal things alone, every now and then.

But I've only lived without kids there under 2 years. I have 3 children so doubt your life was any busier than mine. Especially as you have a dh to cart kids to activities etc.

I've always made sure I get " alone" time even with kids in house though. Mine were brought up from very young about after 8om is adult time and not to be hovering, disturbing and wanting stuff . Obviously as they got older the time became later but I wasn't having the hanging round me all evening either. Same as if I had a friend over

It was nicer when they were old enough to be left and I could go out

You sound like me! Except I don't sing, so I make up for that with crisps

Lol I can't sing. Id have to be alone to sing along to anything without other people complaining

I didn’t say it was busier than anyone else’s. I was just explaining why it’s nice to have an evening alone twice a year.
I don’t send kids to their rooms at a particular time, I’m happy for them to be around and in the same room as us. I like spending time with them and it won’t be long until they fly the nest.
Still enjoy having 2 nights a year home alone 😁

Not being able to sing has never stopped me!

You let kids up all evening? Even when they are 5 or 6. ??? Good grief is go mad if I had that.

And 9 pm at the age of 10 /12 s a reasonable time for kids to be in room so I can have some evening also. I pay for the house I've a right to enjoy it.

Strangely enough both my DDs have a similar rule for their own kids. So they get time with their husbands as well

Of course they go to bed at a particular time. I meant I don’t send them to their rooms before bed time. If they’re awake, they’re welcome to be in the same room as me.
Honestly I’m not sure why you’re taking such offence at what I’m saying, I was just trying to explain why some people like to have a nice peaceful night at home alone and why they might be able to spend those evenings doing things they don’t otherwise do, because you seemed to be struggling to understand it. That’s literally it.

Why on earth do you think I'm taking offence? I was just explaining things from my point of view.

And if your kids are in bed at 8 or 9 then there is surely time to do things for yourself . Like vath drink wine and watch tv lol. Just seems a " waste" of an evening watching tv for example

Usually takes me about an hour so you are right, time for other things.

I was sorry for lowering the tone. Everyone else seems to be learning a new mozart piano sonata or something.

I can’t believe a grown adult can’t cope with one night alone.

What do you think single people do?

Clean if the house isn't already spotless (I need it spotless to relax).

I would see a doctor about that.

I drink wine or gin, whilst I listen to a podcast and cook myself a nice dinner.
I go for a 20-30 min walk after clearing up dinner/kitchen.
Then I usually watch a film or episodes of a series i'm into at the time, and drink tea.
I'll often have a shower/bath before I go to bed, as I don't have to worry about disturbing anyone else with the running water noise.

Running bath water disturbs others???
your home insulation must be very poor.

Exactly! I don’t know what single people do! I’ve spent most of my adult life as a mum. My baby is constantly with me, and I didn’t think I would freeze by having a night alone, and it was unplanned and last minute. It’s weird when you don’t have a child calling for you every hour about something.

An update -
I don’t think I made the most of it. I did have the oven pizza and some wine. Listened to Spotify and danced around the living room. Had a phonecall with a good friend - I’m glad I did as I went to see her the following week m. And I was asleep by 10/11 - think I was exhausted. I couldn’t bring myself to do a hobby (I do draw and sew and knit).

Im fortunate enough to have family that can babysit when I do have nights out planned - I have a few bday parties coming up and leaving drinks for friends - so I’m looking forward to those.

I guess I really needed the rest.