What to do on maternity leave before baby is here!

[Rosexoxx]

Hello everyone
I’m 32 weeks with my first. I had to take mat leave early at 29 weeks as my job was very physical and I just couldn’t do it any longer. I need ideas of things I can do with my time off. I still have 8 weeks left and I feel like I’m just waiting around. I am just feeling a bit bored and miserable because I’m not used to doing nothing.
Tia

Get out of the house as much as possible during the day time. Attend any antenatal exercise classes etc. Make new friends with other parents. Decorate the room for the baby. Install a printer.
Go baby shopping too, take a list of things to buy and have fun. Plan a baby shower as well. Sort out childcare pronto. Start keeping a journal of the first year.
Bake yourself a Christmas cake. Mooch around the shops in town.
Preserve as much as possible. Baby proof everything. Invest in a general first aid class just in case. Involve your partner as much as possible. Eat out at a decent local pub.

Rest as much as you can.
Nest, get those kind done at home that you've been putting off.
Keep the oxytocin flowing, meet with friends, walk in the park, film with partner, good luck 💚

Oh I miss that time... Only had 10 days of it in the end as DS was early but it was bliss to do nothing. Get any 'you' appointments out the way - haircut, dentist, etc. Sit with a book in a cosy cafe. Definitely have a couple of date nights, it will be a long time before you can go out for dinner again and babysitters are expensive! Get all your Christmas shopping done and wrapped in advance. Catch up with friends, especially ones without children as they may disappear off radar for a while. And above all, rest.

I feel your pain! I 'only' went on mat leave at 38 week so had less than a fortnight to kill and I remember crying about how bored and fed up I was

This is how I tried to fill my days:

• Naps
• Endless frivolous spa appointments - manicure, pedicure, massages, facials etc
• Sorted through baby stuff
• Packed and re-packed my hospital bags
• Went to prenatal yoga/exercise classes
• Watched A LOT of Netflix
• Went to the cinema by myself
• Researched local baby stuff to do once DC arrived
• De-cluttered the house
• Spent ages preparing dinner
• Did all the life admin-y shit I wouldn't have time to do again for a while eg haircut, dentist, collected addresses to send birth announcement cards to

I know you're probably sick of hearing it but make the most of it - I would actually kill for a day of nothing-ness right now. Good luck!

Sort your Xmas shopping and even plan ahead for next years family and friends birthdays.

And sleep, lounge around and luxuriate in boredom and sloth

I have met ladies who went to baby groups while pregnant to meet people. Nobody minded and they were welcomed.

Light candles!
I didn't light them again.until my.child.started nursery.
I missed those candles for 3 years.

D.i.y as it's dodgy trying to do.it with baby crawling around and they put everything in their mouths.

Ask your partner to enjoy leaving mounds of coins lying around. Again, babies put everything in their mouths.

Enjoy peace and quiet. Long baths with scented candles.

Anywhere without softplay or playgrounds. You'll soon get sick.of those. The sweaty feet smell.stays under your nose for years.

Wear necklaces, long hair, long nails without them getting caught on baby.

Go.for a peaceful meal in.a.nice restaurant.

Have lots of sex. After the bashing of childbirth you don't know when you'll next want it! Also, you don't have to worry about getting pregnant as you already are!

The best thing I did while on maternity leave waiting on baby to come was making crockpot freezer meals for when baby does arrive.

It was a lifesaver!

Go to cinema in the day
Filing filing and more filing. Get all of your paperwork sorted

Not very exciting but clean your house, not saying it needs it haha but i plan to gut my entire house on maternity leave, wash out cupboards, wash windows, defrost freezer etc and do lots of batch cooking to freeze.

I would say have some days that are quite structured so you dont feel like the day is long and dragging. Set goals - decluttering, baking, redecorating, then lunch out with friend/family/work colleagues then a chilled afternoon. As everyone has said pamper yourself and relax too.

Museums, galleries, library, cinema, National Trust/English Heritage (if a member) - feed your mind!

Walk in the autumn, gardening, cleaning, cooking - feed your body!

Organise - Christmas shopping, Christmas cards, check out child care and baby classes, check out nice places to go with a small baby. Any birthdays on the horizon that you can deal with in advance?