Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

Flip

Original poster

I think I need a hobby to keep myself occupied in the evenings. what can I do?

23 replies

ratbunny · 04/07/2008 20:38

I need something so I llok forward to the evenings on my own instead of getting sad and angry that xh can do whtaever he pleases..
So far, most evenings, I seem to play a wii game, read a book, take a bath. but thats not something I can look forward too. My social life in the day is pretty good, I just really need something to do in the evenings.

My hobbies I already have are active - (climbing, martial arts which I need to go out to do realistically) - or musical (but I lack inspiration to play anything new). I think it needs to be something long -term rather than taking an online course etc, something that won't run out in a term.

So tell me, what hobbies do you have?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

RambleOn · 04/07/2008 20:48

Sorry, completely off topic, but this is a heartwarming post for me. I'm about to become a lone parent, and had visions of never having a moment to myself, collapsing into bed at a late o'clock.

The fact that you're looking for a hobby gives me hope for the future

Getting back to the subject though. My wise old form tutor always used to say that everyone should have hobbies that challenge them

Socially - But you say you have a good social life.

Physically - Climbing/martial arts covers this.

Creatively - Your music perhaps?

Intellectually - New hobby here maybe?

Emotionally - Perhaps voluntary work/political/something else that can get you passionate (new DP??!!)

Original poster

ratbunny · 04/07/2008 21:01

glad to be of help!
ds is only 17 months, so I really dont have a minute to myself til 7pm, and then I hit a dead stop!
new dp would be great lol, but it's only been 1bout 6/7 weeks since the old one! I think the problem is I didnt HAVE to entertain myself beforehand, and now I dont know what to do.

OP posts:

gillybean2 · 04/07/2008 22:11

Have you tried looking in the arts and crafts section. This kins of question gets asked on there sometimes and there's lots of possible ideas talked about. Assuming you're looking for something creative of course...

neva · 05/07/2008 07:23

Language classes are a great way of exercising the brain and meeting new people. If you can't get out to a class at the moment, you could always try a home study course via books and CDs, to begin with.

Ginni · 05/07/2008 18:31

you could trace your family tree, you can get alot of info online now as census seem to be accessible through genesreunited. I'm just researching mine now.

3Ddonut · 05/07/2008 18:37

I'm a bit sad, but I look forward to getting into a cross stitch or knitting project, as the item starts to take shape, I find that I become 'addicted' to getting on and getting the next bit done, it's totally not active though....

what about a dance DVD or something?

Original poster

ratbunny · 05/07/2008 19:01

3d - thats not sad, its great that you have something to get stuck into . A dance or workout dvd is an excellent idea too!

ginni - that's a good idea! my dad's side has some raucous relatives - our clan got evicted from scotland apparently!

OP posts:

peasoup · 05/07/2008 19:26

It's hard to say without knowing all your likes/dislikes. Do you write? Could you start a blog (we'd read it!!). You can upload photos, etc. Either fiction or non-fiction. Or keep a personal diary and illustrate it.
I spend all evening editing photos on the computer, but that's my job as well as my hobby, but it is really addictive and i look forward to it. It's something you could get into as a Mum cos you could spend the day taking cute shots of the kids then spend the evening editing them, cropping them, changing them to black and white or sepia, etc. If you're any good on the computer you could do cool things with photoshop or edit all your best shots into an album.
Are you arty? Lots of craft projects are addictive and easy to so at home in the evenings. Your hobby could be buying stuff at Boot Sales and spend the evening Ebaying it all. You'd look forward to it if you were checking how much folks had bid on the stuff you'd put up for sale. Making money from nothing is always something to look forward to![GRIN]

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 05/07/2008 19:31

I'm thinking of going back to photography. Used to do it years ago in the days of darkrooms.

Prufrock · 05/07/2008 19:40

I play bridge. I go to a club once a week with my friend, which is full of lovely old people who call us "the girls" and ask our advice on things to do with their grandchildren, and then also play online at bridgedoctor.com (there are other sites) where you can do tutorials, play against the computer or play against real life people all over the world, and talk to them as the same time.
It's addictive in that I really look forward to playing, and challenging, butis alos something that doesn't have to be done, so it's not like an art project or something that you feel guilty about not completing if you don't have time.

pedilia · 05/07/2008 19:42

Is Mumsnet not counted as a hobby then

ChasingSquirrels · 05/07/2008 19:45

Prufrovk, I am thinking about bridge, have found out about a local clud which is the weekday night that H has the kids. I love playing cards but never got into bridge (played a bit in sixth form) so will need to learn. I will have to ring and see if I can go as a beginner or if I need to learn first - in which case I will get online.
Would LOVE a canasta club, but can't see me finding one, might advertise in the local mag to see if anyone is interested.

Yorkiegirl · 05/07/2008 19:47

Message withdrawn

ChasingSquirrels · 05/07/2008 19:49

Prufrock, will get your name right now! Have just realised from another thread that you are nearish to me (other side of the city). Where is the bridge group you go to?

Mercy · 05/07/2008 19:52

What Ginni said!

Prufrock · 05/07/2008 20:00

I go to Stapleford on a Tuesday, very friendly group, but you would need a partner. I do know a fabulous wonderful teacher called Gladys Gittins who runs classes at her home in Cherry Hinton, from beginners to improvers - it's well worth contacting her

ChasingSquirrels · 05/07/2008 20:03

hum, I did wonder about needing a partner. Group I have found is in N'Market so only a few minutes for me. Will call and see. Thanks for the details on the teacher, will see how it goes.

Mercy · 05/07/2008 20:06

OU course?

Rachmumoftwo · 05/07/2008 20:12

Pedilia, I hope so, or wine, facebook and scrabulous are my only hobbies!

Prufrock · 05/07/2008 20:14

Lots of clubs are happy to pair you up. I would recommend this book - if you can play Canasta you'll be fine at the card-play, it's just the bidding, and this one is standard English Acol, which is what most duplicate players at beginner/intermediate level will play - always helps if you use the same system as your partner!

ChasingSquirrels · 05/07/2008 20:16

thanks alot, I now need to make the call and find out, am getting closer, only been a few months since we split and have needed the time to convalese rather than get out.

Original poster

ratbunny · 06/07/2008 16:25

some good ideas on here!
I ordered a fitness dvd (davina's), and love the idea of editing photos too.
So.... until I get a reliable babysitter I will be researching the family tree, editing pics and / or doing my fitness dvd...
or, perhaps more realistically, I will be posting on mnet

OP posts:

peasoup · 07/07/2008 12:10

Execellent! good luck with that.
Also occured to me that if you're newly single then getting the girls round for DVD's and wine and lounging around is always a good option

Flip