Making the most of MAT leave

[Notverygirly]

Hi all,
I'm sure there are hundreds of posts on te subject.
Currently in MAT leave until the new year with DD1. I see this time as the only chance I'll have to take time off from my fast paced job and enjoy spending time with the LO.
I'd like to know from other mums out there what they'd wished they'd done or made more of during their time off?
DH is often away with his job so ever since DD was a few weeks old it has really just been us two and I do find it isolating as we live in a semi rural location and I'm a natural extrovert.
So far we have started swimming, we go for daily walks. I am planning to see relatives around the country.
Any other suggestions?
Thnx

I am on my second mat leave ATM.

When on mat leave with ds1, I did baby and toddler activities everyday - Gymboree, soft play, stay and play sessions, singing at the library, swimming etc. I did one morning session and the. Was out usually having coffee or for a walk in the park in the afternoons.

With ds2 the mat leave s slightly different as I have two to look after, so doing no baby activities, but planning for ds2 to come to ds1's activities when I'm brave enou - soft play, toddler groups etc.

Do you have a local sure start centre near you? Baby massage is a nice way to start some activites. And also check out your local library, there are usually lots of free baby and toddler events on (messy play, singing time, story time etc).

I second Rhyme Time (or whatever it's called near you) at the library. We're fairly rural too and DD and I enjoyed this every week. We also went swimming lots (still do but I'm back at work now) and visited friends and family.
Maybe something like a BuggyFit class? Never been to them but I'm told they're good fun. Baby yoga etc. Go to your local council's website, check out the noticeboards at Tesco and see what's on offer. You may be surprised - I found a mums & babies bellydancing class!!