Is this a ‘Soft life’

[Wellthatwasabrupt]

And would you want it?

Has Dh, one young Dc and dogs, lives overseas by the beach and countryside, nice house with pool and sea views.
Works 6 hours per week from home. Does all drop offs and pick ups, food shop, dinners, majority to do with Dc and sorting bills. Has a cleaner.
Dh works Mon-Fri -finishes 4.30, no one works weekends.
Days are free based around Dc school drops, coffee with friends, Pilates, yoga, studying or reading if you like, watching Netflix all day if you like, shopping, beach, pool, garden

Would you call this a soft life? Would you like it, be honest?

I would love it

Either it’s a reverse or the OP is working up to promoting her app or blog or some such.

Sounds great, because you can do a load of other stuff if you want or just not.

But it’s not wasted spending those hours at work?!

But working also in an educated and important role & studying for a masters and being there for every single thing for them-what a shit role model!

40’s

Sounds perfect to me, add in some hiking and going to gigs and I would love it, life is short

Depending on the job, no, not as much of a waste of time as your description... compare to your op:

Days are free based around Dc school drops, coffee with friends, Pilates, yoga, studying or reading if you like, watching Netflix all day if you like, shopping, beach, pool, garden

You've "clarified" later that she's working also in an educated and important role & studying for a masters but this does not match the tone of your op.

Who are you in this story op? You are coming across as quite an unreliable narrator

To me it sounds like a lovely life OP.
I think "soft" life is a bit of a silly term though as for some people a "soft" life like this would be very hard.
You can see there are many opinions here. Some would love that kind of life. For others it wouldn't be enough and for others its too much. We all have different energy levels, ambitions, passions and that's wonderful, it makes the world work. Ideally we can all find a balance that suits us. And most importantly I would hope we could all be respectful of our differences and choices.

Why do you have so much self doubt that you need to defend your opinions on another person's life? Unless this is your own life, I'm sure the person living it doesn't care one bit about what anyone else thinks of how they fill their days. I'm not sure why you're being so defensive.

I love it OP, it’s idyllic

Can you please explain what you are trying to get out of this post so we can help you!

If you want us to all have a ‘soft life’ by selling Tupperware or diet vitamins I’m not falling for it 😂

Sounds amazing. You could do anything with your free time with very little external pressure. That is my & I suspect alot of peoples dream life.

This thread is wild @Wellthatwasabrupt

half the threads on mumsnet are about how people wish they could work less/ have more time with kids/ not have money worries/ escape the rain etc… and you describe a life that sounds lovely, calm and fulfilling and the responses are how they love working long hours and rushing around…!!

There Is definitely a balance. But for me an hour or two a day of work plus house stuff, studying, kids plans, meeting friends… sounds great. And if you do 6 hrs you could easily pick up more if you wanted, it’s not like you’ve distanced yourself from the works force etc

A wonderful life to lead, and I enjoy it.

The most fascinating conversations I have do not revolve around work. Hobbies and interests do exist.

What is the goal of this post?
I'm very confused.

OP describes a life in the third person and asks if others would enjoy it. Lots of people say no and OP is very defensive, suggesting that the protagonist is OP. OP is clearly happy with own life. Lots of people wouldnt be.

Odd premise for a post!

It’s a soft life and would suit me now (retired) but I’d have hated it when young. I tried a less luxurious version, with more working hours and substantial rather mechanical studying towards exams. It felt very hollow with nothing challenging in my day to day life.

Maybe those threads aren't made by people who like working and find parenting small kids all day everyday deadly dull.

Your friend's life sounds lovely, OP.

But if you are actually referring to yourself then maybe it's not so lovely as you seem to crave other people's validation on it.

Id love that chuck in some painting and a dream!!!

I don’t get it @Wellthatwasabrupt

is this your life? Why are you talking about it in the third person?

And are you happy with it? If so, why are you asking what other people think?

you seem to be defending it rigorously, so just crack on.

I'd get bored, but I'd probably spend my free time writing for Dungeons and Dragons.

Be boring

Bit patronising isn't it?

I don't think this is a soft life if your children are young. It just means you can pick up the kids and actually spend time with them. Looking after children is not easy when they are young. I worked less hours when my son was young and so did many of the people I am friends with. Children benefit from their parents' attention and time. We have all picked up more hours as our children got older.