Wasting maternity leave?

[hayleyhh]

Baby is 10 weeks old, I also have a 3.5 year old who is at nursery 3 full days. On one of his nursery days we go to baby massage but apart from this I usually just stay at home and clean/watch tv or a short walk to local shops for food bits. I just worry I’m wasting my maternity leave but I’m not sure what else to do with a baby this young. We always go for walks at weekend as a family and on non-nursery days we focus the day around older DS so baby just comes along. I had a group of other mums first time round who I’d meet up with but I don’t have anything like that this time round and nobody to meet up with (not particular fussed about that part tbh). Can’t afford the expensive baby classes each month so we just attend the free one at the moment. I’d like to get out a bit more but not really sure where to take baby. What did others do, any suggestions? Does it sound like I’m wasting my leave and will regret it? Grateful for any ideas!

Baby is only 10 wks - so plenty of time for outings etc! Just do what suits YOU. Sounds like you have a good balance, all baby needs at the moment is to be with you. Perhaps once summer is in full swing and baby is bigger you might go out more but dont stress about it 😊

Honestly, as a parent, it’s so rare to get to sit down. I’d enjoy sitting down, watch some films or series or read a book.

Otherwise, if you want to get out, what do you enjoy doing? I went on walks to new places I’d never been before. To museums. You don’t want to spend money, but I went to Barcelona for restaurants and museums (by myself with my then 8 month old). Do things you would enjoy that you can do with baby in a pram or a sling.

10 weeks with my first I was mostly in the house. We got out a bit more after 18 weeks as she started napping in the pram. I did long walks with a coffee and podcasts on it was a nice quiet bit of time for me until my mum cottoned on to the time of my walk and chose to phone me everyday having the same conversation as the day before!
I didn't do a lot of classes. Two half terms of baby sensory and that was it. I didn't get a lot out of them so I didn't bother
It wasn't until baby was more like 1 that I got anything out of groups. I went back to work 4 days a week and did a free toddler group once a week on my day off. Once I was able to hold a conversation with the other mums as she was able to pay prior to that I was just focused on her and didn't get much socially from them even though I was doing them with friends.

I enjoyed that part of it; part of my second maternity leave was Covid and part of me enjoyed being able to have relaxed days at home rather than the pressure to always be out doing something

Just do what you want to do. I liked going for a wander round town, especially during nap time. Coffee in a cafe or by the river. Quiet days at home if you haven't had enough sleep. Once I felt a bit more confident in going out and about on my own I got the train to more interesting places for a day out. I like being in my own company though.

I think 10 weeks was the first time I left our suburb on my own, so you're hardly wasting your leave. And you have a toddler! You must have plenty of jobs at home too, sorting out toys or old clothes?