Parents of babies/pre-schoolers, do you have any hobbies or pastimes

[gaelicsheep]

My HV asked me if I do and I realised that it's been so long I'd forgotten what I like to do! As it happens I had just acquired some stuff to start making beaded jewellery, and I've also committed to doing some knitting for charity. But honestly, who am I kidding? I will be working full time from next week, I have a 7 month old and a 4 year old. I rarely get any time to myself with two hands free (when DH is holding DD instead). When exactly am I going to do this stuff? As for going out, ever, ha ha.

How about other parents? Do you have hobbies or go out to do things? I said to the HV that my "me time" is going to work.

I was asked last week if I had interests or hobbies. Replied that I have loads of interests but no hobbies!
I have 3 under 4. DC3 is 17 weeks. I work full time. Im not due back for another 2 months but am dreading it to the point of panic attacks. I am so busy and cannot fit in all I have to do let alone what I would like to do. The thought of throwing my job in the mix makes my stomach churn but financially I have no choice.
Im so out of touch with myself I barely recognise myself anymore. Kudos to the women who can fit things in. I wish I was more like ye.

Hi gaelicsheep, to answer your question, way back when, I don't work at the moment. I used to do freelance work when I only had DS and worked at home. Then i would work evenings and weekends when I could. It was quite a flexible job.
It was only since DD was a year old that I started up my hobbies again.

I also know how to play the piano - I hardly play it now. I have actually forgotten how to play, but I have started again by learning nursery rhymes so that I can play when the DC are around. Otherwise they wouldn't let me play!

It must be so hard to go back to work. We can't afford the childcare at the moment, and as we have moved countries I would need to build up a new client base, which I can't do with two small children.

At the moment, I am trying to remember to enjoy the children at this age, and think to myself that they will grow up and then we will have more time!

I have kids 5,4,2 and 9m.

I have recently got into keep fit and pilates (at home).

I do oil painting and sometimes like to play Wii.....

I did some knitting and some beading this evening - yippee! But I don't have to cook for the next day yet - making the most of it!

Good for you! I have a 5 month old and a nearly 3 year old and I have bugger all time to do anything either. Would love to go swimming for an hour a week, but can't afford to pay a babysitter. I too co-sleep with the baby and I'm trying to put her down in my bed after putting the toddler down, but at the moment I just seem to be spending my evenings going up and down the stairs to settle her!

Very relieved to hear Fitzwilliam saying we should be kind to ourselves! I also want to read more, watch more films, especially in Spanish and French, and do yoga, but I suppose I'll have more time for it all one day...

Hurray for knitting and beading!

Half the hurdle is actually getting all the stuff out and doing it.

Can you bulk cook and freeze? That might save a bit of time.

Good luck for going back to work.

Yes, everything I do I am making extra and freezing. Two portions of bolognese sauce for DD and one for DH & DS went in the freezer tonight.

I could begrudge DH not cooking for them, but I don't. Even if he was inclined to, it is blardy impossible to do anything more than shove something in the microwave when there's no one around to attend to DD. I rather like still doing the food bit - I'm still involved in daytime caring - I'm just not sure where the energy will come from!

I have two dd2 age 4 and 20 months. Pre children I used to run, renovate houses, travel, make jewellery, french evening classes etc etc. Since having the children I - erm...look after the children.

I have no child care or family living nearby and actually miss them like crazy when they are not wrapped around my legs. Despite thinking when they are wrapped around my legs that it would be nice to have a break.

I would be annoyed at the HV. FFS - you have two small children and a home to look after - why on earth do you want to take up a pilates class or something in that precious one hour in the evening that you can have for yourself. I used to just want to collapse on the sofa and watch telly.

dd2 is now 20 months old and I have just started having skiing lessons one evening a week and tentively started back running. I was just too knackered in the evening before.

I have many hobbies, including owning a horse and a dog both of whom need regular exercise and training and various craft activities, card making, sewing, cross stitch etc. I am also a collector of various things... Also we go to see bands reasonably regularly, childcare permitting.

I have one child, 5 years old, work 5 days a week and am pregnant with DC2. My house isnt very tidy though because I would rather ride/do crafts/train the dog!

I have a preschool and a toddler. Still breastfeeding and co sleeping the youngest , working and no family. Used to have a life, now if I get a bath alone for more than 10 whole minutes it is an achievement. I've been out twice in the last year. It's so sad but will get better ( I hope!)

I completely agree with you OP if it makes you feel any better! And I have a dh who is very helpful and at only out of the house from 8:30 - 6. I have a 4 year old (at school) and 18 month old (at home all the time) and I work from home. So spend all dd's naps working or doing housework, then work in the evenings. Sometimes I watch tv for half an hour before going to bed...

I play the piano and would love to be able to do it now, but if the kids are awake I have to play chitty chitty bang bang (or they want to join in) and when they are asleep I am working.

I keep thinking it won't be forever.

I have a 9yo and 7yo both full time at school, a 4yo half days at nursery and an almost 20mth old at home with me.

While I was pg with no4 I started helping at a local Brownie pack - now I am a fully paid up leader and started with my current pack 2 weeks after we moved into the area.

I love it! I HAVE to go so do, when dh has been away I have taken them all along. We have a bit of a social thing going on too, so tomorrow we are off to Bingo at the social club after our Brownie meeting.

Not everybody's thing I realise but it is something I can do that I enjoy and that is non negotiable and gets me out of the house (unlike trying to crochet)

I can't seem to find the time to do anything for myself, but I have somehow found the time to read 3 different parenting books and BLWing book.

I wanted to carry on with my degree whilst I was off work but haven't been able too. Maybe next year eh...

yes, tv and sleep :)

I force myself to read for a few minutes before I fall asleep go to bed, but that's about it.
will do more running as soon as it is not dark this early anymore.

Hobbies? Nah. But then I didn' really 'do hobbies' before DD appeared anyway. Unless you count socialising after work, wine, restaurants, weekends away, going to the cinema and mega lie-ins .

I've always been a big reader and have very little time to do that these days. I got loads done when I was bf DD, or when I was working and commuting before she was born. Used to go to the gym aeons ago, now I'm so unfit and the only exercise I do is pushing DD around in the pushchair.

I have found time to be a bf peer-supporter, which was possible as there was a creche during the training.

Im sorry but I think you lot just aren't making an effort.

I have a 3 yr old and a 1 yr old and have loads of hobbies, what is your problem?

I sit on MN
I eat leftovers
I watch copias amounts of TV from 7pm onwards
I drink wine
I have a takeaway EVERY saturday night - oh yes, my life is full .

You just have to get some get up and go and get organised .

I suppose I just wasn't thinking sneakapeak, I told share most of those hobbies...

Can I add taking showers/baths to the list?

to, not told...

Ok OP I think having 1 child and fitting in hobbies is a hell of a lot easier than when you have 2DCs, work full time and have your baby up until you go to bed (sypathies (sp?) my DD3 didn't go to bed at what is considered a normal time until she was 18 months.

Having said that you need to try and make some time for you.

I go out probably a couple of times a month now (house parties, pub, meal etc), either get babysitter , go out with the girls or have people over (Dc stay up or go to bed) It is easy to ignore them watch them while having adult time.

I have a lie in at least once a week and so does DH, we swop.

I MN often when I have spare time, evenings, when I'm ill, 10 mins in the day etc.

Good luck.

You lot are great and you're making me feel a whole lot better. Species - I'm hoping to do peer supporter training too, so it's great to hear you fitted that in. I just hope my brain's up to it after a day's work!

I did the bf peer supporter training too!!

BTW It wasn't until I had Dc3 that I started going out before that I had lost me. I'm not sure what prompted it really.

Well I'm feeling much more positive today (despite a filthy cold) and I have a different take on this now. I think that by having children I have found me. I think beforehand - we tried for ages - I was treading water tbh. The "me" there before children wasn't really me - my "interests" were left over from when I was at school and belonged more to my parents than to me. Now I'm enjoying meeting other mums, looking into peer supporter/bfc training, getting involved in charity work, thinking about making jewellery. This is all new, and it actually feels like me.

I have hobbies. MN. Reading books on parenting and baby sleep. DS is 13 months.

Having said that, I do enjoy all the reading / research and it probably does fulfil the me bit, even if I am a bit of a bf / sleep bore to poor old DH.

I'd really struggle to have proper hobbies though - keeping up with laundry & cooking is hard enough.

gaelic, a lot of what you say resonates.

And you me AngelDog. I'd never have guessed you read books on baby sleep.