How many of you 'go out' anymore?

[redhappy]

As in a weekend night, to the pub, or a party etc.

I don't. Well about 4 times last year. I have ds4 and dd3, and also relevant I suppose is that my ds has special needs. The reason I mention that, is that it takes up so muc of my focus. If something is not connected to helping him, or generally contributing to family life I feel like I don't have the energy or the inclination.

Dp thinks we would go out more. He still goes out, but he would like me to go too sometimes.

I know my confidence is very low since having children, and tbh the thought of having to go out in the evening and talk to strangers, dance and drink alcohol at night when I'm worn out from the day, and no chance of a lie in, just does not appeal!

But anyway, those are my issues, and I've got my head around them, I'm really wondering how much I am the norm? How often do you go out now compared to before children, and how old are you? (I'm wondering if age matters? I'm 29, so if I didn't have children I suspect I'd still be having regular wild nights out!)

We don't really, but we didn't really go out much before we had DS except to go out for meals. We are not pub/club people.

Our socialising is generally having friends here for the weekend or going to stay with friends. We go out sometimes for birthday/anniversary.

I'm sure we will go out more once the DCs are a bit older, but being pg, breastfeeding for 2 years and now pg again isn't really conducive to getting out of the door in the evenings :)

I was definitely to 'go out' type before I had kids, so I think I'm quite surprised at myself now!

Whoever mentioned depression, yes I probably have a bit of low level depression, although that may well be because I'm not out having fun!

I was invited to a 40th party last night, didn't plan on going as I have work this morning. However, I did go, and actually went to 3 parties in total! Only had a couple of drinks, and the clocks changing means I'm feeling totally fine for work

I think the ages of your children, the availability of babysitters and your propensity to 'go out' pre-children have more bearing than your age in this question.

I have a 2,4 and 6 yo until this year I went out roughly once in a blue moon (since having dc1). Recently I have ventured out more, this month I went to a party at a house, out for a curry (a regular thing with Mums from school)and stayed in a hotel (on my own for first time in years!) to attend a friends gig. I tend to go out without dh as although we have local GPs health issues mean evening babysitting for all three dc is out. But dh has no interest in going out and is happy for me to socialise w/out him so I do.

I am 36 I don't think I am past it, in fact once the dc are older I hope my social life will improve more, especially when I do return to working in some capacity. getting drunk An opportunity to relax sans children over a meal and wine is great and I am glad I am getting the opportunity to do so - it helps me feel more myself as I don't get much interaction with adults on a daily basis.

That said I feel no inclination to go clubbing or pubbing much - I prefer food, wine and conversation or a good gig/ play/ occasional party.

I go out alone every Friday, I go to the village bingo and then a drink in the bar, it's more fun than it sounds [hgrin] Dp stays at home with our 4dd's.

This week has been a shocker in that I went to the pictures on Thursday then bingo on Friday and last night we all went to a halloween disco.

Dp does go out on his own occasionally but he prefers to go seafishing.

I'm 28 and feel like once a week for a few hours is a nice break away from the dd's.

I go out on 'mad one' approx 4 times a year, but get out for nice dinners/cinema etc with friends around once a month. Me and hubby rareliy get out together as can never afford babysitter or don't really habe babysitters available.

Its cool though, we were both partied out by the time we had our dd!

I wasn't asking about age to suggest that at a certain age you are past it, just trying to guage the norm. Which is silly of course, because we are all different, and as you say our own unique circumstances.

Don't know if this is because I have one child only but both DH and I go out alot together. DD's grandmother babysits so we're fortunate. Also, DH and I will frequently take Friday off work and spend the day together out and eating lunch at a restaurant whilst DD is at daycare.

Oh, and DH and I will often give each other weekend days off so I can go out or he can go out and one of us will look after DD.

Oh, and I am 40 years old and still love going out (though not to pubs/clubs - have never been into that).

I'm a single mum to a 2 year old. I don't go out often as, at the moment, I only have 2 people who would babysit in the evenings, and these are also friends I want to see socially. Sometimes we have nights in at mine.

My mum is in another country but comes over to stay with me twice a year. When she's around she just about pushes me out the door, so I make the most of it and go out. I do a lot of socialising during the day though, mostly with other mums or with friends who have time off/wprk shifts/are unemployed.

I'm 48, dd is 5, and I love going out. Pre-dd I went out A LOT. We didn't go out together until dd was 3. Now we go out every other week, pub, meal, cinema or show. We rarely stay out past 11 pm though. I also go out with other mums about once a month. We pay for a regular babysitter as we have no family around and dd does occaisional sleepovers. We arelucky to be able to afford it - I just wichh we could do it mor often!

I'm the one who needs to get out - as I work at home PT and look after dd. Dh likes it but would probably hardly ever initiate it - as he goes out for work quite a lot.

OP - what about the cinema or a meal/drinks without staying out really late? I agree that staying out really late can be unbearable the next day when you have kids. But it's really good that your dh actually wants you to come out with him - so I would give it a try.

I am 32 and I still go out quite a lot. I have always been a very social person and although that went very quiet for a few years when I was BFing, as soon as my youngest was about 18 months I was back out on the town

We try to go out as a couple once a month and with friends once a month so we are out every fortnight. We are probably out more at this time of year as there are lots of birthdays plus Xmas and New Year. I do stuff at home sometimes too - I am doing a NYE party here and on Sunday I did a birthday party here for me and my friend (adults and children).

I am lucky to have good babysitters but I will pay someone too if there is noone about. I am trying to find a good regular babysitter at the moment so I don't have to keep hassling my Mum and MIL!