What do you do when you don't have the kids?

[FreesiaFairy]

I have a 6 month old that spends 5/6 hours with his Dad, two times a week. I'm on maternity leave.

Most of the of time I plan to tidy, do washing, catch up on sleep, sometimes make a batch of food for him (have started weaning), sometimes meet a friend.

There are a couple of issues really,

1. I sometimes get quite down on these days as the baby isn't there to distract me and more time to think about the break up etc.
2. My dad seems to think I should be doing 'useful' things during this time, and it almost makes me feel like I'm skiving if I just relax / watch Netflix or something.. not explicitly but just in things he says like yesterday he asked me if I had had a 'useful' day. I don't think he has any idea how hard looking after a 6 month old on your own is?

Just wondering what other people do on their time 'off' and any tips to not getting too down on these days?

Thanks in advance!

As Dd got older I started studying an OU degree but when she only went for a few hours, I'd go to the shop in peace or go for a walk, I did C25k and sometimes I just slept or watched Netflix. If it was winter I'd buy myself a nice bar or chocolate and sit and read.

DD was at her dad's all day yesterday, I put a load of washing on, whipped a duster and the hover around and washed everything up. Popped to the supermarket, then sat and watch Virgin River on Netflix and Christmas shopped from my ipad.
It's your time, no one gets to tell you how to spend it.

Thank you! The OU course is a great idea for the future. Yes actually going to start couch to 5k today, have got my running gear on so as soon as I get back from dropping him off I can get myself out there and do that (fingers crossed haha)

Will probably do some washing too. It's hard to get stuff done when the baby is here plus I go to bed at 9pm just to make sure get at least a few hours sleep so not much time in the evening, I'm sure it's the same for most single parents and can't imagine how much harder with more than 1 / when go back to work

I catch up on housework and then try and get out the house for a walk or see friends. I live in London and would spend Sundays browsing the local markets. Although since covid that has not been as easy to do. Is there anything local to you similar that you could do once restrictions are lifted?

That's a good idea, there is a nice farmers market nearby actually.

I dont get any days or nights off, but if i did... long bath, going for a walk, window shopping, coffe/meal out and reading

I don’t have any time off as my ex doesn’t have our kids! I would just enjoy the time why does your dad have an opinion? Don’t tell him what you do?

My kids are older so went overnight but you really need to get out, covid or not.
I used to go out on my bike - I am no serious cyclist or anything - it was just a free option cos I had a bike! Didn't go far or too hard with it, but it got me out and my heart pumping.
Same with a brisk walk, quick and easy with no equipment outlay.

Don't think about what needs to be done in the house, shoes on, out and don't look back. Even when it's raining, stick a coat on and crack on. You'll feel so much better for it.