AIBU to be completely bored out of my mind on maternity leave? I’m a mum of two, eldest is 6 and youngest is 6 months, and I’m honestly counting down the days until I go back to work in November. DH had 3 months off when DS2 was born and is now back 4 days a week, with one weekday off which we spend together while DS1 is at school. Today was my turn to walk DS1 to school. I got up, did 30 mins on the rowing machine, had a shower, got dressed and put a bit of makeup on. DS1 got himself ready, DS2 woke up, I bathed and fed him while DS1 had breakfast, then we walked to school. Me and the baby walked around for a bit, queued for a coffee, sat in a cafe while I read my book, then he got a bit fussy so we walked around the park. We came home, he fell asleep and now I’m sitting here thinking “what am I actually going to do for the rest of the day?” 😂 I know this sounds incredibly privileged and I am very aware of that. We have supportive grandparents, I’m not stuck in the house, I go to baby groups, see friends, visit family, read, exercise etc. I even have time to do an online course. But I have so much time and I am finding it unbelievably boring. I forgot how bored I was on my first maternity leave.
I had exactly the same experience with DS1 and went back to work when he was 6 months because I missed it. I’ve worked in the same fairly intense, male-dominated field for around 20 years and I think I’m just used to being busy and having something difficult to get my teeth into. When I went back after DS1 I got up to speed very quickly and was promoted, which probably says something about how much I missed having that part of my brain switched on. I love my children, honestly, but I just don’t particularly enjoy the baby stage. My 6 year old is completely different because he’s a little person now. We can have proper conversations, he has opinions, makes jokes, understands sarcasm and I genuinely love spending time with him. With the baby it’s basically feeding, nappy, bath, walk, “who’s a clever boy!” while he makes noises at me 😂 I’ve joined a mum group and everyone is lovely but I sometimes feel like I’m from another planet because I don’t seem to have the same interests or worries as some of the other mums. I’m thinking of going back 2 days a week in November because I just need something else to occupy my brain. I read 4 books last week, I have too much time. I feel slightly ridiculous complaining about having too much free time when I have a healthy baby and a very fortunate life, but there we are. AIBU? Is anyone else had a similar experience of genuinely bored by maternity leave/baby life?