I have had a taste this week of how my life would be if I were a SAHM...

[MrsSchadenfreude]

...I am off work, looking after DD1 who is Unwell. My days have involved a lot of toast, at least one packet of jammy dodgers and buckets of tea. I have done exciting tasks like clean the dishwasher, wash the kitchen floor and fold up washing. I have discovered the "delights" of daytime TV (what is this obsession with property and making a bit of money from old tat?) and Jeremy Kyle. I have an exciting trip to the post office to post a parcel and buy some milk. I had a limited exchange with the man in the post office and a lady who was buying a paper, in which we all agreed that it was cold and hoped it wouldn't kill off the daffs. I had a more limited exchange with the man who came to mend the dishwasher. ("Broken again, has it? Same thing as last three times? Mary next door gone out, has she?")

Is this it? Am I missing something? What do people do all day for excitement/interest if they don't work and their children are at school? Because, quite frankly, I am miaowing with boredom here. DD1 has spent most of the time asleep (poor love) and I am itching to get back to work. I am now debating whether to start the ironing, have a nap or polish the hall floor. None of these options fill me with joy. But I suppose if I do them now then I won;t have to do them at the weekend.

I go out a lot - not an option when you are caring for a sick child though

it's a lot more fun if your DC isn't sick.

I find weeks when I have a sick DC to take care somewhat more boring too.

Oh yes - that has just occurred to me - durr! But as you say, I can't explore the delights of MK and Northampton with a sicky poorly one. Or even go for a stomp across the fields.

Apparently the mums in the next village have cannabis coffee mornings...

Your post fills me with dread because I have just handed my notice in to become a SAHM. Please someone tell me how to make my days filled with joy!

That's why Mumsnet was invented!

ooo - you can't be far from me if you're exploring Northampton LOL (I'm in Wellingborough).

Trust me when you have a "well" child even days in can go pretty fast

and don't you get more stuff organanised if you're at home all teh time (rather than just when DC's are are sick) [clueless emoticon]

I'm rather glad that I have to work to pay the mortgage - allows me the illusion that I would be a fab SAHM given the chance wihtout having to call my bluff...

FAQ - I am other side of Northampton to you, about halfway between N'ton and MK.

We have an exciting visit to the doctor in the next village later on. Will kill two birds with one stone and pick up DD2 from After School Club early.

Kewcumber - I think I would just have more tea and another biscuit rather than organise stuff.
I am feeling very apathetic.

God with 2 toddlers, I get none of that done really.

We do however, do swimming, visits to the park, beach. woods, mums and toddlers, painting, playdough, bake cakes, bit of cleaning and just generally full days of mayhem and madness.

I suppose it depends on the age of your child, the fact that they are not well. I do miss adujlt conversation sometimes and it is not all a joyful time, they can be trying and sometimes when DH walks in I want to walk out -

But I wouldnt change it for the world

We have dentist and haircuts later - now that is exciting!!!

Being a SAHM is great , go out lots, meet friends, go swimming, dog walking and hopefuly as they get bigger - get some gardening done.
I was very much a career girl before DD and we enjoyed a fairly adventuous lifestyle but am more than happy to give it up for the first few years when DD is wee.

I've hung up all the coats, put the shoes away, made more tea and am trying to ignore the chocolate fingers that are waving at me from the cupboard where I keep the tea. I think I may put the rubbish out later and make cheese sauce.

MadHouse - on the brief occasion when I was at home with two little ones, I never got anything done. DH would come home to breakfast and lunch things on the table. But I am a bit of a slut naturally.

Oh, I love it

My youngest started full time school in Sept, so before then life revolved around outings with her, activities with her, taking her to nursery etc, and the odd coffee morning with other mums.

But now I am in training for the moonwalk, I help at school 3 afternoons a week, am hoping to do an upholstery course, would like to do a gardening course, have read loads of books, have coffee mornings/lunches with friends, do a teeny bit of cleanign (only what needs doing, am not houseproud), and it is the first time in 9 years that I have a little bit of time just for me.

And I love it

I work 3 days pw. Think the MOST boring days are when you have a sick DC at home. Other days (like today) are fine - I have plenty to do that I know I have to do because I'll be at work tomorrow. But I feel like you when faced with 5 days at home (and fear I may have to do just that when DS1 goes to private secondary school AAAARRRRGGGGHH)

at Hippopotami. The only time I get for myself is the 45 minutes on the train between MK and Euston and back again. I either read or gaze vacantly into space.

Hippi I think I need to try and see it your way!

I love being a SAHM. I don't suppose it is as cutting edge as surfing the stockmarket or managing hedge funds, but I don't get bored.

Never stay in all day.

Never switch on the telly.

It's different with a poorly child. You're very limited.

I think my days are far more interesting, diverting, fulfilling and rewarding now than they ever were when I worked in an office. I liked my job very much, but I never felt passionately about it.

I have 2 toddlers and am rarely bored. We do mothers & toddlers, parks, soft play, garden, meeting friends, zoo, shopping, play dough, baking, playing, tv and in between I try to find time and energy to do washing, cooking and tidying. Other cleaning doesn't really hapen much until the weekend!

I work two days per week and 3 week days at home.

One of them I do washing and cleaning etc. Half of one of them I do domestic admin. The other one and a half I mostly meet up with friends who also have kids. We drink wine and let the kids run wild at each others houses and at Pizza Express. We go swimming, ballet, art lessons. We go shopping, to the park. Its varied and mostly fun. The worst bit is the constant round of food preparation, wahsing up and tidying up.

I have never watched day time tv though since was pregnant with first born. Just don't really have time. If one of DDs is ill then the other one gets to watch TV and I get to read historical novels - bliss.

Soph - my post was more aimed at those whose children are at school all day. I know you just don't stop with toddlers!

Your child is sick. It's not a true reflection of what life is like as a SAHM. if your child was well you'd be out and about doing more interesting thing. If she was at school you'd have plenty of time to do the things you want to do, as well as housework.
Being tied to the house with a sick child, watching daytime tv is not typical for most of us.

When DS2 goes to school full time I'm looking forward to going to the gym/swimming more, lunches with friends, time to read books, bake cakes etc, keep the house clean, shop for clothes without interruption. I'll also work more days than I do now (which is 1).