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Parenting

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Original poster

What do YOU do during DCs settling in times at childcare (free time)

30 replies

Jellybabie3 · 08/10/2018 22:21

DS (12mo) is in childcare tomorrow for settling in. He will do 5 x 3 hour slots over the next 2 weeks. Then i have him for half term before going back to work.

I have no idea what to do with myself...I've had no time in the last year minus 2 medium length baths for mum day and when ill (i usually shower when he sleeps) and a job interview .

Thick question but whats the best use of my time...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

betweenhillsandsea · 08/10/2018 22:25

Hair cut, food shop, read a book, catch up on telly, long walk up a hill, go to the cinema, enjoy

Bobbiepin · 08/10/2018 22:26

I got a massage & a pedicureand then sobbed out on the sofa watching tv because I could.

Bobbiepin · 08/10/2018 22:27

*slobbed

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Yellowsunredroses · 08/10/2018 22:28

It’s not a good idea to settle and then do half term

Yellowsunredroses · 08/10/2018 22:29

Also I would not expect him to last the full 3 hours each time!
First session you’ll probably stay with him
Second session he’ll cry a lot and you’ll feel awful
Sessions after that you might get some free time but I wouldn’t plan on feeling like doing much!
Settling is hard - it gets easier

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 08/10/2018 22:31

@Yellowsunredroses no other way of doing it I am afraid. Childminder is on annual leave for half term and I am going to start a new job. Jot ideal I know.

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Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 08/10/2018 22:33

Thanks for the suggestions. I am pretty down about it so am trying to think of positive things. Husband is thinking washing and hoovering (admittedly not done all too often) but I know I wont get this time back. I am not sure how long DS will last as he is in a real clingy stage too.... Sigh

OP posts:

Blondemother · 08/10/2018 23:49

I went to a cafe around the corner and drank coffee and read a book the first few days - felt rather luxurious but I was close enough to nip back when called.

Grobagsforever · 08/10/2018 23:59

Find a new partner if that's all the time you've had to yourself in the last year!

Di11y · 09/10/2018 21:26

Wandered round all the shops with awkward doorways and little steps, feeling a bit lost.

Maybe cinema??

PrincessConsuelaBannanaHammock · 09/10/2018 21:29

I went to a coffee shop around the corner then wandered about the shops feeling a bit lost. Every child is different you might need to pick him up a bit earlier or he might love it, try not to worry about it too much

itsjustmebeingme · 09/10/2018 21:29

Boring as it was, I did some batch cooking to make sure we had good food when I went back to work.

Di11y · 09/10/2018 21:30

Settling in might be fine btw, I did a couple of less then 1 hour chats to decide if I wanted to use the childminder then half day and full day 1 week, 2 full days the next then 3 full days thereafter. Only tears on drop off but a month in they've stopped too.

Faster · 09/10/2018 21:33

I slept. Slept like a log.
And settling in doesn’t have to be hard. DS didn’t cry once during his settling sessions. And I didn’t feel guilty about leaving him either.

Bobbiepin · 09/10/2018 21:56

Settling in isnt always hard. DD crawled off during our hour together & never looked back. She's always happy to see me at pick up but also happy to leave DH in the morning when he drops her off.

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 10/10/2018 07:30

So one day down and it was OK. DS cried alot as expected but wasnt hysterical. He ate his lunch so obviously wasnt too traumatised. I just got dinner ready did the washing, prepped stuff for the slow cooker today and tidied DS bday toys.....

Hes with me today for his 1 year jabs and back with childminder tomorrow. Hopefully do something more 'for me' then

OP posts:

RebeccaCloud9 · 10/10/2018 07:35

Blimey, seriously if that's the only time you've had time for yourself- and your H expects you to use that time to hoover etc - you need to be having serious words with him!

AvoidingDM · 10/10/2018 07:46

Cleared out my wardrobe and as many other cupboards as I could in the time I had.

While I liked the idea of chilling. It was a job that needed done preferably while I had time to do it without LO 'helping'.

Oh and I think went shopping for new work clothes once I'd cleared out maternity gear and what i could only dream of fitting into.

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 10/10/2018 09:06

Yeah i need to do a clothes clear out. And go bra shopping now DS doesn't nurse in the day. These days will soon be used up by the sounds of it

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Katiet123 · 11/10/2018 16:01

Bath with a book and then a solo brunch in a cafe where there's no space for a buggy. With headphones on. It was bliss!

drspouse · 11/10/2018 16:03

I only had a couple and the first one was an hour I think (so I sat on the sofa at the nursery and read my phone/a book).

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 11/10/2018 19:15

Thanks all. DS missed his session today as he was so poorly from his 12month jabs. He spent the day curled up on my lap nodding off watching the secret life if the zoo eating popcorn...it was kind if like having a newborn again

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Lazypuppy · 11/10/2018 21:54

Sorry but why have you had no time off in a year? I don't understand how that is even possible

MysteriousQuinn · 11/10/2018 22:01

Another one here who is baffled that you have had no time for yourself in a year

Original poster

Jellybabie3 · 11/10/2018 22:15

Because I am always busy. If I am not playing/cleaning etc etc with DS then I am washing, cooking, shopping etc etc. My 'free time' is when DS naps but his naps vary in length so much I don't plan to do anything special. If I am lucky I get a hot cup of coffee! My evenings are spent with DH and countless trips to DS every time he wakes I doubt thats all that unusual

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