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Original poster

Evenings as a lone parent...what do you do??!

24 replies

whatdoyouallthink · 29/04/2009 19:58

Ok so im quite new to mumsnet brief details, my H left just before nye leaving me with 3 dc(youngest at the time just 7wks old) So been on my own for quite a while now.

So when all the dc are in bed, what do you all do??!

Most of my friends are coupled up or have young dc themselves and what with school/work commitments they cant really do much during the week. I dont work and am a sahm. My h doesnt have dc any point during the week due to his work commitments. Most evenings I dont want to battle on with the housework/ironing etc and just want to relax. So hit the internet, catch up on phonecalls or have a few glasses of wine, must be more to it then that so what do you all do?!

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ridingjoker · 29/04/2009 20:03

mn, started ou course too takes a couple of hrs most nights.

text friends ALOT. particularly the ones also stuck at home with dc.

read books. i read tonnes now.

oh and when really really bored i've taught myself to knit

which i suprisingly good for the mind. you get lost in the "knit 1, purl1" thing

onadietcokebreak · 29/04/2009 20:03

Pretty much sounds like my evening! too exhausted to do anything else after work so internet and phone calls!

DLI · 29/04/2009 20:05

my friend is a lone parent and she has a dd aged six. her mother looks after dd one night during the week so she can do a part time class at our local college. she works part time and the course is free. she gets to learn something new and meet new people. once a month, at the beginning of the month she gets a babysitter (that's all she can afford) and goes out for a meal and a couple of drinks. in the middle of the month she has friends to her house for a few drinks and a catch up /movie.

MitchyInge · 29/04/2009 20:05

I like knitting too, but that's more of a winter thing for me

I'm doing a riding course at college 2 nights a week, other nights I watch films, read books or to be honest I'm often asleep not long after 9

inthemistsoftime · 29/04/2009 20:08

internet surfing is the answer to all your needs,
and if you stay on here long enough you will become addicted to this site like the rest of us.
Seriously this site is perfect for us lone parents, loads of support when you need it most, and loads of virtual friends, I love it.

norksinmywaistband · 29/04/2009 20:14

MN, are there other things I could be doing?

ridingjoker · 29/04/2009 20:15

oh my friends with partners and dc are always looking for an invite round for a cheeky glass of wine to escape once their partners get home from work. or we go cinema if i can get a sitter.

inthemistsoftime · 29/04/2009 20:22

sitters, therein lies the problem, when 1st single I was spending £50 a week on sitters

now I am much more canny and try and get friends and family to step in but it is not always easy to twist their arms convince them.

Original poster
whatdoyouallthink · 29/04/2009 20:23

I do lurk around mn quite a lot! Starting to get a bit braver with the posting but feels like being the new girl at school sometimes!

I always used to be alseep and in bed by 9 too but finding myself sitting up later and later these days!

Internet is great but getting a bit facebooked out now as that is what I tend to use most.

Getting my parents to babysit midweek is bit hard as my dad lives in a different county and mum has two small dc herself plus a full time job.

Some great suggestions...keep them coming!!

OP posts:
ridingjoker · 29/04/2009 20:27

my sitters are all free. sorry. perhaps should have said that. big family and usually get 1 relative a week to baby sit

tessofthedurbervilles · 29/04/2009 21:13

I find myself as a shoulder to cry on and someone who is always in for a chat for friends with exciting lives to share with me!
TBH week nights, regardless of circumstance, most people chill and crash out ...its the weekends that get me down a bit!

Original poster
whatdoyouallthink · 29/04/2009 21:22

Yes with you on the weekend bit too, sundays in particular. Week nights are the time I miss h, trying to keep myself from ringing thewanker him and just thought if I can keep myself busy with something would kill boredom and time!

OP posts:
gigglinggoblin · 29/04/2009 21:28

I did a college course through the day as college paid for childcare, then I had homework to do in the evening. I also love crafty stuff, sewing, knitting, painting, making jewellery. Painting my toe nails. Baking, reading, long baths, decorating rooms dc are not in.

used2bthin · 29/04/2009 21:34

I come here, or facebook or tv and text people but I agree, it can get a bit samey. Oh I am on two dating sites though which is good for a bit of time wasting VERY occasionally a friend will come round for dinner but mad as it is, I sometimes think oh I can't face making conversation, despite being really bored most nights.

BillSilverFoxBuchanan · 29/04/2009 21:38

Mumsnet
Watch films/tv series
Read
General web surfing
Open University - three courses leaves little free evening time
Dance around to loud music on my iPod
Wine

gigglinggoblin · 29/04/2009 21:40

I also did loads of yoga and my back pain went away and I looked like I had lost 2 stone without dieting

Lmccrean · 29/04/2009 21:40

I started a degree course with the OU (partly due to boredom, partly so I felt I was doing something for ME and partly as I was reading a lot about the topic anyway, I thought I might as well get something to show for it!) I havent paid a penny for it and Ive just started my 4th course with them...

Oh, and recently joined a free dating site, which can be good banter.

However, dd doesnt go to bed til late so I dont actually have that much time to myself!

Haribosmummy · 29/04/2009 21:47

MN obviously!

I also have started a teacher training course (which is also forcing me to sort out childcare!)

And I like to do tapestry.

McCharlieMouse · 30/04/2009 09:13

Good post WDYAT!

Also as a newish lone parent (DS 10 months) I mainly find myself either slumped in front of the TV with a glass of wine or gossiping (or more accurately slagging off cheating H ) with family/ friends on the phone....but some great suggestions here!

Must start watching less TV...

Original poster
whatdoyouallthink · 30/04/2009 10:17

McCharlie thats what my phonecalls entail! slaggingoff discussing my lying cheating h!

There are some great suggestions here and definatly some things to consider doing!

OP posts:
skramble · 30/04/2009 20:44

MN mostly
wine
Watch crap TV
whisky
Help at the Brownies, well when I say help I mean plan the entire programme, camp and trips .
cider
Avoid doing uni work, one more assignment to go yeah!!!

poshsinglemum · 01/05/2009 18:57

tv, reading, internet, housework, painting. i love my quiet evenings!

Pinkchampagne · 01/05/2009 20:41

I like to chill in front of the TV once boys are in bed & if there is nothing on, I surf the net!

Meglet · 01/05/2009 20:50

Quick tidy up, on here a lot as I can do it from my phone. TBH I'm usually too shattered to watch much tv, the dc's are 2.6 and 8mo so it should get easier. Loads of free family babysitters for when I do get my energy back.

I'm slightly this evening as ex p is on a stag weekend (despite claiming to be broke) and its my birthday and I'm at home feeling a bit ill. My family did take us to wagamamas earlier though so day hasn't been a total washout.

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