What do single 34 year old mummies do with a free friday evening?

[happyhappymummy]

Please tell me what do 34 year old single mummies do with a free friday night?
My children are sleeping at their nans this evening.
All my friends have husbands/boyfriends and are all loved up spending their evening in or out with them.
I get a little lonely at times but on nights like this I feel more alone.
How does one get themselves a life so to speak :) ??

I'm asking myself the very same at 49 Debating whether to pop along to HMV and get a couple of good girly DVD's

You can do the tedious traditional pamper night and spoil yourself with a long, lingering, candlelit bath, dvd of your choice, belgian chocs, and OR you can get OUT THERE...!

Check to see what's happening in your area tonight - is there a band playing at a local pub or a quiz night or other event being held?

Do you fancy a film or perhaps an evening at the theatre, or a drink in your local pub - or one further afield? Or even a night at the bingo hall - you might get lucky in more ways than one

I've met a wide range of people through going out and about on my own in the evening and Friday's always a good night - try it!

Tip: if you're going to a pub take a book and, if you want to spare your blushes at being on your todd, make with the mobile from time to time and,if anyone should ask say that a friend has let you down.

I would be browsing online dating sites and hypothetically (if not really) checking out local single men. I used to do it when I was single as somehow it made me feel less lonely and that if I really wanted to, I could meet new guys. (If I was single had child-free for the night, I'd also be quaffing wine and scoffing a big bar of choc).

Mind you, you'd probably be better going out somewhere. Gym? Book club?

If my drinking buddies are available - I go out with them!

If my cinema buddy is available - I go and see a film with her!

If nobody is available - I go to tesco, buy chocolate and alcohol, buy a DVD, come home, have a nice undisturbed bath, get in my jim jams, get settled on the sofa under my duvet and watch the DVD - chocolate and alcohol within reach of the sofa, obviously.

I prefer it when nobody is available

MissFaversham.. hmm sounds good! Enjoy :)

izzyizin.. Pamper sounds fab!
Oh wow how brave of you! I so wish I had this confidence! Well done you :) Iv never been out alone. I wonder if I could?
I live in a very small village, not much going on. I would have to drive to a town with a little more going on I guess.
Thanks for the fab ideas! Im quite nervously tempted now :)

wolvesdidit.. Haha Iv had a little look on a couple of sites already, hmm not too sure! Iv been working my booty all week so thought I would have a night off from that too :)

ChickenSkin.. Yes all my friends are busy as per usual. They have a life haha.
Hmm this wine, choc and dvd is very very tempting. Its something I always seem to opt for and feeling a bit sorry for myself today ha!

Feel the fear and do it anyway! You can always go home if you don't get a liberating buzz from being out and about on your own this evening.

I don't see it as bravery - I see it as expediency as there's only so many pamper nights a gal can handle and I'd rather spend a night out alone than in the company of those I don't particulary want to be with, but they were the only available companion(s) for a jaunt.

Take yourself off to convivial boozer and ask if anyone fanices a game of darts or pool or cribbage - once you've done it once, you'll be hooked and, if not, you can always join www.gingerbread.org.uk or search the lonely heart columns/online sites for a terminally boring date for your next free evening...

Im actually smiling here thinking could I be this brave!
Im honestly thinking about it haha
izzy if you would of said this to me a year ago I would of said no chance so thinking about it is huge for me. Iv been such a hermit for so long. Im learning, slowly but surely :)

Start with your local... Fridays are always good nights, people are sloughing the cares of the working week and it's time to have fun and look forward to the weekend.

On the basis of 'you'll never know what it's like till you try it', go for it - you've nothing to lose and who knows what you'll gain

sloughiing off the cares of the week...

There's bound to be someone you know by sight at least in your local tonight...

Thanks izzy :) Ok yes Im gonna try it! Yikes :)
Oh shit!

That's the spirit! Take a book - and an umbrella

go izzyin! respect

good luck mummy, and I agree you have nothing to lose by putting yourself out there

Is there a Starbucks near you? I wouldn't feel comfortable going into most pubs on my own - I know that might be wrong, but some pubs lend themselves to that and others don't - the ones near me don't.

I'd go for a run, a swim and then to cinema.

Or I'd jump in my car and drive 154 miles to see a gorgeous bloke I know .

Haha yes wet here too izzy, thanks again.
Thanks porcamiseria :)
ImperialBlether..No coffee shops! Our little village kind of falling apart :(
I know once Im in I will know someone but its such a small place and not many pubs, Im gonna feel a bit strange.
akaemmafrost..Cinema on my own? Oh I just feel sorry for myself being alone! Oh dear! I think its fab to have such confidence, wish I did have!
Wow really would you? Drive all that way? Why wouldnt you ask him to drive to you?

The pubs I frequent are cheery places where no-one looks askance at a woman on her own and a lone female isn't viewed as a target for men on the make.

I have no qualms about drinking solo in spit and sawdust dives but, as a general rule of thumb, I choose pubs that have hanging baskets and/or well tended floral displays outside as there's usually a landlady behind the bar as well as a landlord - and it's easy to start a conversation about the blooming geraniums

One of my favourite boozers is tucked away in a side street and it's a veritable hub of the community - quiz nights, poker nights, music nights, et al, and many of the events are held for the type of charity that begins at home. Strangers are warmly welcomed by the 'locals' and a good pub will always make you feel comfortable as soon as you go in the door - there's far more of those around than some may suspect.

I always seem to get hit on at Cafe Nero type establishments and as for taking tea at Fortnums and the like - I won't venture in unless I'm mobhanded

Our little village kind of falling apart but all the more reason to support your local hostelries

Because I don't let men come to mine and kids house, I prefer away fixtures .

Cinema is FAB on your own. No worrying if the other person is enjoying, can get right into it.

Good on you akaemmafrost :)
Oh jeeze I dont think I can do it! I think Im gonna settle for the wine!
I do have a friend who lives about an hour away. Thats a bit random though!
Why cant I be a little spontaneous eh?

You CAN be spontaneous. C´mon. Do it. Drive, see your friend. It´s only an hour! Think how annoyed you`ll be tomorrow if you waste the chance.

Yes! Do it, I did it on Wednesday and Thursday (my child free nights) and have had a fantastic two days with a lovely man. Three hours there, three hours back and 100% worth it !

well, so far on my Friday evening I have cleaned up cat poo and cat sick, put away the washing and had a little cry... it can only get better from here on in!

I'm skint this week so not doing anything, but usually I plan something (anything) like cinema, swimming, invite someone round for DVD, or stay in with special dinner, wine, choc and phonecall with a friend.

I've not braved the pub alone yet, because I would have to drive back from it and I don't think I could happily sit in a pub sober AND alone! Happyhappymummy if you can walk to the pub, get out there for a quick one... and then have one for me too!

Aww 008 Im so rubbish at taking chances I play it safe ALL of the time :s
Iv had a bath, hair done and Im pacing just trying to talk myself out of it, I laugh at myself!

And have one for me as well while you're at it