Maternity leave is boring

[Nicknamegoeshere]

Just that really. Made worse by Covid. I did try music classes with her but they're crap/pointless really as have to wear masks and socially distance etc.

Any advice?

How old is your baby? Baby classes are more for mums than the babies I think, once they start crawling/walking they enjoy stuff more

Not sure what is available right now but I really enjoyed swimming lessons with my baby, she loved it and always got a great nights sleep out of it.

Do you have any mum friends? I spent most of my maternity leave with my family or meeting friends as I knew I couldn’t do it as much when I was back at work.

I found most classes are boring and once there was a routine with baby it was a pain having to change things.

I also went through ALOT of box sets

Yes it can be!
I am doing a couple of classes, one you wear masks and one you dont' have to. Without is definitely better but still difficult to get to know people when you can't stay and chat etc.

I am using leave it is an opportunity to read more, watch netflix and starting to learn coding , but some days are definitely lonely and it is not the same as with my eldest.

Also on maternity here. Classes closed. I have a full home building project I’m organising at home when time, and have taken to going out hiking with baby every day if it’s dry.
Some walks I go on with friends.
I also take him swimming twice a week.

And bake too many scones and cookies!

@Pinkiii Thank you. She's four months. I also have two boys from my first marriage 50% of the time (they are 10 and 13).

Being an older mum (39), my friends have all got much older kids so don't know anybody with a baby. And tbh, as bad as it sounds, I don't see the point in making new mum friends as I return to work in February anyway. And it's so much harder with always having to socially distance!

I could try with box sets but baby is a cat-napper so not sure how much I could concentrate if that makes sense?

@Caspianberg Good luck with the project - sounds fun Bet it will be rewarding to see it when it's all finished.

How do you find time to bake with baby?!! Mine would scream after about ten mins!

@Nicknamegoeshere - it’s an exciting project once finished as we basically bought a full doer upper. But right now it’s all the boring stuff like organising full rewire and plaster. So the mess part is soon to come! ( not so fun)

Baby is 4 months also. He has days when we won’t be put down also. Baking often happens when he has been cranky and only sleeps in sling, as he wakes up if I sit down! So I can mix and prep while he snoozes, and just do oven part when he wakes.

@Caspianberg I'm sure it will be lovely when it's all finished although I'm guessing stressful at times? Wish we owned our own home then I could maybe keep myself busy with a bit of decorating etc...

Might have to try a sling 😊

@Nicknamegoeshere - a sling has really been a lifesaver here. Means you can do some bits at home hands free and easier to get about .

It’s probably still worth making some local other parents friends if you can. As I assume they will have similar age children you can meet up with for years to come, not just on maternity .

I don’t really know many other parents yet either.

@Caspianberg I'll have to try her in the one we got again - she's been in it a few times and screamed the place down, but maybe I just need to try again?

Tbh it's more my hang-up about making friends. I'll be back at work most days if not all from February and with two much older boys to care for half of the time I don't really have time to socialise. Also, I live a dull life so they'd be bored of me pretty quickly!!

@Walikingdeadfan Love reading too! Bought a new book with all good intentions but never get more than about 15 mins to myself in one go then I lose my place!!!

I'm with you! Have a 7 month with 2 older boys at school and am at a total loss to occupying the minutes! Signed up for a class starting this Friday so we'll see how that goes. All my friends have older kids too. Just back from a short walk, stared at some cows then home again - neither of us too impressed with that... Mine is also a cat napper and it feels like there are sooooooo many minutes in each day!

I hated maternity leave with DC1, was much happier when I went back to work (part time) when he was 8 months old.

Just had DC2 and it's fine for now (DH still on paternity leave) but I'm dreading the boredom and loneliness after he goes back to work.

It probably is worth going to groups (if there are any) and making one or two mum friends (if you can) even if it's just for 5 months or so - you still need adult company and conversation during that time!

My problem is that there are very few groups atm due to bastard covid 😢

I have a 7 week old who doesn't like to be put down. I put her in a sling sometimes she has a love hate relationship with it. I carry my nursing pillow around with me and pop it on the floor and do 5 min chore 30 seconds cuddles and repeat. It allows me to put some washing on or make lunch.

I'm a member of a fb group for mums in my area if someone is planning a walk they tend to post to see if anyone is free to join them. I've not been yet, timing's haven't worked out.
I have a mums what'sapp group from my antenatal classes. It nice to have someone to talk to. I have met 2 of them since for a walk and later in the month we are doing a baby class together. I'm not very good at making friends and it will be difficult to keep friendship up when I return to work but in the meantime friendly acquaintances are good. Who knows some may become friends but I'm not going to fret if that doesn't happen.