what do you do when the dc aren't with you? 1st weekend alone.

[cheesesarnie]

this is my first weekend as a single parent and i've no idea what to do with myself!
some friends took me out on friday then i went to see family last night with the dc but then returned them so i have been busy and i have seen them but....

i'm bored and lonely!

Lots and lots of cleaning and tidying is my solution. My house is now very clean.

I crave time away from my children. I don't ever get it but if I did this is what I would do
Few glasses of wine & DVD on Friday. Long lie in on Saturday with good book & lots of cups of tea.
Massive clean & tidy of everywhere.
Big bubble bath Saturday night, some good dvd's or book, maybe glass of wine.
Up early on Sunday & go for swim/gym/jog
Then Sunday potter about the house & get organised for the week
This will never happen but is my fantasy weekend!

ohclutter- that's what i thought i'd do! i thought of all the amazing things i could do but then i sat their like an idiot.

think cleaning may be an option, i got loads of washing done today and some coursework.

First few weekends on my own I also kind of sat around feeling sorry for myself but now I love my weekends w/o kids! I browse the shops, go to the cinema (alone), watch my telly, make lovely soup or just have cheese, crackers & wine for dinner. I also started doing odd jobs around the house...those things that always bothered me but Stbx never fixed...you can learn lots of DIY skills from the Internet :)
On sunday evening I generally feel all refreshed for the working week & look forward to my weekend w kids!

I don't think anyone who isn't a single parent can understand how difficult it is to have time separated from your children. I still find it really quite hard a year in, despite being someone who has always enjoyed solitude.

I try & reassure myself that they're fine with their dad (they are) so I can relax. I try and structure things so that I'm not at a loose end over the Friday night transition (at the moment I have a music lesson). I have now decided to see a matinee at the cinema on the Sunday with a cup of coffee. That makes me feel like I'm still part of the world. I go on my own, as do loads of others it appears. Other than that I try and be cosy and do things that settle me, whether it be going for a run or watching old Friends DVDs.

I hope it gets easier for you OP.

I look foward to time on my own but often have a cry when I look around and realise they are gone I too tidy, watch crap films and sleep!

Im going to treat myself to a Kindle after Christmas

LIE IN.

thankyou all! sounds lovely.
hopefully it'll get easier!

It will OP.

thankyou

I started my own business.....

Sleep.

I used to hate my weekends without my dd, when she was a baby especially. Now I love them (6 years of it now) - you can go away yourself for the weekend, meet up with friends, get drunk have a drink and not worry about being woken up early the next morning with a raging hangover slight headache. Watch a box set of dvds, do your Christmas shopping, have a party, spend the whole weekend in bed, spend the whole weekend exercising, have a clear out of your dc's stuff without them putting everything you've put on the throwaway pile back. The possibilities are endless...
It does get easier, really, and as others have said, it helps you to regain your energy and then seeing your dc again at the end of the weekend is the best feeling ever.

I've not been through this but one of my best friends has for the last 6 years.

She also found it hard to begin with. You really do need to make plans to fill your time though, so you are not moping and feeling sad. She takes the opportunity to go out and do adult things.

I'm sure it will get better with time.

hey...how is it going OP? i found it hard at the start even though i felt i needed a rest. i suggest making a plan in your head of what you will do otherwise you might end up sitting there feeling sorry for yourself which is what i did a few times!

now i sit and have a nice meal in peace, have a nice bath and do all those pampering things - exfoliating moisturising, paint your nails, fask mask, tan do all those things that make you feel really nice.
also you could take a night class. dh has dd tonight and im going to college for a few hours. that way you'll be doing something constructive and meeting people.
or you could do an exercise dvd, or do a photo album, or sort out and wrap all your christmas pressies. i hope you find something you like to do, and that you start to enjoy that space just for you to be you.

I am never without DCs but I would do what clutter suggested above...oh the joy of time to sort out the house, sleep and watch a film and an early night.....

hope you find a way to use it for your refreshment

queen- wow! doing what?
jo- sounds good!
lemon- i think planning will be my only hope!
jangle-sounds great! i'm studying at uni so i suppose if i was good i could use the time to do my coursework?!