If you had two child free hours to yourself every weekday morning, how would you spend them?

[RaspberryRippledx]

Toddler is off to nursery soon and I want to utilise this time as best as possible, but have no idea what to do (a rare problem when you have children I know)

Take my book and get my nails done, or if the weather's nice go on a lovely long walk with a podcast in. Including a sit down coffee at a nice little cafe. Enjoy!

Sleep
Shopping
Tea with a friend
Read a book or watch series
Play and cuddle with my Dcat

I would probably go to a yoga/exercise class/swimming on some days and then on others I would have a coffee and read, sounds lovely!

Gym or home workout followed by breakfast with a friend. Getting ahead at home by batch cooking, planning in advance such as buying Christmas presents, writing cards, doing a big house clear out, volunteering etc

2 hours is not that long. I'd enjoy my breakfast in silence, read a book, do some yoga, give the house a quick tidy up, etc.

I'd go swimming or go for a run on three of the days. I'd probably feel like I had to use one of the other two to be 'useful' so tidying up or doing the shopping or batch cooking or something (but without the distraction of a toddler). The other I'd sleep and read.

Walk, gym, clean house, coffee, nails - on rotation.

I’d mix things up but have a loose routine… something like:

• Monday: laundry and tidying/cleaning downstairs
• Tuesday: swimming followed by a coffee
• Wednesday: batch cooking and tidying/cleaning upstairs
• Thursday: get my hair/nails done or go for a massage
• Friday: pick up a McDonald’s breakfast after pick up and go back to bed 😄

I swim 3 days a week, then hang out the washing, quickly dry my hair, empty, load the dishwasher and run out for nursery pick up.

Walk dog, pilates, coffee, hang up washing in peace.

I'd like to say - exercise, do some cleaning, maybe go for a nice walk... but I'd probably just watch Netflix.

Gym

Can't do that with a toddler. Can do tidying and breakfast with a toddler, granted easier without a toddler.

There are some lovely ideas of how to spend it here but I have to admit when I was in this position I mostly ran round doing jobs. By the time you have done a load of laundry, sorted kitchen out and done a bit of cleaning it is time to pick them up. Unless you have help?

First week, sleep. Recuperate from life with a small child.
Second week, clean, garden and read a book at a cafe.
Third week and beyond, mix of sleep, cleaning, gardening, reading at cafés and yoga classes.

Cleaning

I have three but I use the time to book appointments, necessary ones and nice ones! Do the food shopping, do laundry in peace, walk the dog, just general household jobs that are 10x easier and faster without small people, and then also try and rest and eat well too. It's been a game changer to us all. Now heavily pregnant with my third though so it will all end soon for another few years, sob!

First few weeks just sit and stare at the wall and do nothing,drink tea,nap,watch tv.just catch up with myself.
then do things I’ve been struggling with with dc.certain chores, maybe some more technical meals,big shop.
any hobbies.yoga,art,walking in the hills!
2 hours is nothing.
I could literally procrastinate for that long.I’m useless.

Get home put pjs back on and go back to bed would play a hefty part at first.
it’s fine if you want to fill the time.but parenting a toddler can get exhausting so tbh I’d try to just rest and meander slowly.

In theory go for a decent walk, read a worthwhile book, some volunteering and have a healthy breakfast.

In reality (& I was a SAHM with DS in nursery/school for years) ... quick stroll on a good day), Mumsnet with copious cups of strong coffee and a croissant or two and a nap . A bit like my mornings now that DS has left home, I work part time and DH retired. I do throw in the odd bit of volunteering still.

I would ride my horse or walk my dog… or have a snooze 😂

I have 2 x 90 minutes slots to myself while the kids are in nursery/school and before I start work.

One morning I go to an exercise class then by the time I've had a shower, cup of tea and put the washing on it's pretty much time to get to the office. The other it depends what needs doing but Ill do any appointments that need doing (hair, dentist etc), cleaning, taking stuff to the tip, sorting out my selling/chazza shop donation pile, food shop, sometimes I just have a nice long bath and stare into space for 20 minutes.