What do you do when DC are with their dad?

[BertieBotts]

I need some ideas of things to do, either useful/productive or just fun/relaxing, when DS is with his Dad. At the moment I tend to sit around on mumsnet, maybe do some cleaning (joy...) but what I want is some ideas of things that I could do, because it feels like I am wasting my child free time at the moment! I know not everyone is lucky enough to have this opportunity as well so I want to make the most of it.

Currently XP is pretty unreliable and cancels at the last minute so arranging to do anything in advance is out unless taking DS is an option. I have started to make plans to do things with DS if XP cancels so that I'm not going stir-crazy with a toddler in the house but it's when he does have him and I'm on my own that I feel I am wasting the time. And then suddenly it's 5pm and he's back and the whole week starts all over again.

I sometimes go into town and window shop, it just makes a change actually being able to properly look at stuff and maybe even try it on without a child whining. Then if I find something I like I know to save for it.

Sometimes buy a magazine and sit in a cafe to read it, just feels nice to be out of the house and able to people watch.

A few times I've got on the train and gone to another town and wandered around, just for a change of scene.

Does he do overnight visits or just during the day?

I also clean and tidy and spend hours on mumsnet (guess where my DDs are right now?!)

I joined Spice, which is great but you do need to book ahead so might not work for you (I'm in London, so also depends where you live).

I shop and spend less money because no-one is going "Mum, can I have..." I meet childless friends and talk openly about all the divorce cr@p, which I can't with the girls around.

I go and see grown up movies - sometimes on my own, if I want to see it and no-one else is free.

I surf Lovestruck and wink at younger men (well, it paid off!)

No he's not going overnight yet, so I get 5 hours, 4 if I'm unlucky and he comes late!

Good point about seeing friends to chat about stuff. DS is getting older now and I can't talk about things in front of him as I once could.

Good idea to go clothes shopping as well! Such a PITA to go with a small child!

I thought about going to the cinema and sometimes do with my sister so thanks for the reminder :)

I have no idea what Spice is, not in London though :)

I used to (he doesn't have her anymore)go and lie down, read in peace!
Go out and get pissed on a sat night knowing i could have a lie in!
Go window shopping and take my time.

The silence was sometimes a little overwhelming though at home, but it was generally good to be able to watch a movie, or put music on late night.

I don't remember doing anything constructive, just things that made me feel happier.

Today I've had a haircut and a conditioning treatment, spoken to friends, bought 2 canvases to do new paintings, gone to the gym and joined a new dating site! I really, really need to blitz this house though - it gets SO messy just before the boys go to their Dad's.

It must be a nightmare if your X flakes at the last minute, what a twunt. Is there no way to get something legal in place? (Sorry if this has been covered in another thread.)

I also use the time to catch up with work (I work from home). What's cheered me up the most, though, and done the most good is joining the gym. It solves everything! It has honestly changed my life.

I agree about the gym Beautiful, i am addicted now!
to answer the OP though, when ex has ds i am at work. i found it best to be around other people in terms of coping. i work all day Sunday and am at work 2 nights per week when ex pick ds up from nursery i then go and pick him up when finish.

I'm thinking tomorrow will do some cleaning (not much though)
Go for a walk somewhere.
Have a bath
Paint my toenails
Do some batch cooking to freeze
Do an exercise dvd, will join the gym next year when ds is at preschool