Parents - how would you spend time on mat leave before baby arrives?

[jamie980]

I finish for mat leave soon and have a few weeks off before my due date. If you have kids already, how would you spend the time bearing in mind I can’t go out and do anything bar a bit of exercise? Any mundane stuff you’d savour, in hindsight? None of the usual advice about going out and enjoying a last bit of freedom, getting a massage, catching up with friends, can be done at the minute (and I’ve already completed Netflix ) so not entirely sure what I’m going to do with myself!

What’s with the batch cook obsession on here?! Really don’t get it... never tastes very nice heated up all soggy & watery. Then you’re stuck with the same old mushy thing again & again...
I’d prefer to whip up a quick fresh salad or just make a yum toastie when pushed for time.

I’d spend your time getting as much self indulgent rest as possible. Sofa time with Netflix. Buy a stacks of mags and get through them in bath/ bed as you never have time to read a magazine with a newborn. Just relax! x

Lay on the sofa, binge tv, baths, face mask.

The day before I went into labour I insisted on going to the car wash and spending £30 on cleaning products in home bargains!

Definitely do not start walking miles each day. Before you know it, you'll have walked 6 miles and go into labour 4 hours later and you'll be knackered before you begin!

@sundowners

What’s with the batch cook obsession on here?! Really don’t get it... never tastes very nice heated up all soggy & watery. Then you’re stuck with the same old mushy thing again & again... I’d prefer to whip up a quick fresh salad or just make a yum toastie when pushed for time.

I’d spend your time getting as much self indulgent rest as possible. Sofa time with Netflix. Buy a stacks of mags and get through them in bath/ bed as you never have time to read a magazine with a newborn. Just relax! x

sundowners all depends what you batch cook. Yes loads of foods aren’t suitable for freezing and reheating but things like pasta sauces, casserole, soup are perfect for it and defrosting something is a lot less effort than making a salad or a toastie. plus occasionally you might want a bigger meal... all depends what kind of baby you get, some allow you time to make a toastie others don’t!

@sundowners

I love my batch cooked food! Depends what you're making I suppose. But I had a Winter baby, so made and froze lots of lovely warming stuff like lasagne, curries, casseroles etc . I was delighted with myself!

I could understand in the Summer why you wouldn't bother maybe, it's easier to eat salads and stuff then. But not what I'd want with a winter baby.

Clean the house fully!
Sleep!
Enjoy the freedom to do things when you want.
Be spontaneous - it’s all about routine when the little ones come!!

Sleep

Rest

Enjoy your time being your own - I found the lack of time off harder than the lack of sleep with my first, and she was a shit sleeper.

Start a few box sets - I wanted to watch TV but had no energy for learning new characters etc. Ideally, when the baby was born you'd be half a season into several good long series. Some with your partner, some to watch just you.

Sleep

Rest