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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

How to divvy up 'me' time

11 replies

cerealqueen · 28/08/2012 15:43

DP is a musician (not his main job) When I had Dd2 he was always off doing gigs, never asked whether it was ok, just put them in the calendar with overnight stays when they were far away and I had to suck it up. It caused a lot of rows. He just saw it as part of who he was, he needed to do it and it was part of being with a musician. A lot of his band members did it too, with families so that was ok. So I,d spend a lot of weekends on my own. I have no family to help out as parents passed away and siblings they live too far away.

When dd2 arrived, he left the band that taking most of his time and has been putting loads of work into his main work as I am currently a SAHM and he is self employed and we are pretty broke. He works long days so I often do a of bath and bedtime but his work is not arduous, it's compute based.

His other outlet is to spend time in the garden in the summer which is fine, keeping it tidy etc.

He announced last night, when a social engagement arose, for this weekend that he wants to do more music, gigs, rehearsing etc at weekends has been too worried about asking me as to how I'd take it. I don't mind him doing his music, but think the weekeds away were taking it too far as he'd be off firs thing on a Saturday and back last think on a Friday.

I can see what has inspired this - he hates the domestic side of family life and does his garden stuff at weekends while I do most of the domestic staff at weekends - I have a sun allergy so can't say much about that - - the garden needs looking after but maybe not as much as he declares Hmm. I can see that the winter is approaching and he will be obliged to do more stuff at indoors at weekends. (I do all cooking and housework and majority of shopping - he loads and unloads dishwasher and puts his own clothes way and does own ironing). he is great with kids, loved them to bits and plays with them really well. He doesn't really engage in other areas so eg we have some sleep issues at the moment and it's up to me to work and what to do, research stuff etc.

He always says you must do stuff too, and I've said if you do as much as you did last time and I do equal 'me' time we'd have no family time. The thing is my hobbies are more home based ie reading, cooking / baking and crafts. I need to find things that will take me out of the house, ths are cheap or free as we are broke and don't really on other people too much. He has a vague idea ths two kids (3 yrs and 10 months) is no picnic and thinks that I won't really take the me time that will be owed to me but If I don't I'll just go mad and get angry with him.

Any ideas? What can I do on a regula basis not shopping (broke) or just social stuff - thinking daytime here going into evening to match what slots he will be taking - I don't Want to nip out after lunch and be back for dinner.

Thanks for reading!

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/08/2012 15:45

"never asked whether it was ok, just put them in the calendar with overnight stays when they were far away and I had to suck it up"

I'd respond in kind. Book the trip, put it in the calendar and tell him to get on with it...

cerealqueen · 28/08/2012 17:10

Nice idea but we are officially broke! I could go and visit a friend though and factor in an overnight stay, which would be free. Need some new hobby or activity that will ensures I go OUT. DP is counting on the fact that I don't have the same kind of out of the home interest as him and intend to call his bluff on this.

OP posts:
CogitoErgoSometimes · 28/08/2012 17:23

Don't his gig weekends cost money? Fuel? Accommodation? New equipment? Could you all go together as a family rather than leaving you bored at home?

LisaMed · 28/08/2012 17:41

Book Club?

Knit n Knatter?

Bible class?

Evening job as dog walker?

Some night school classes like first aid can be free.

Good luck - it could get v silly if he is counting on you not doing something and you do it.

cerealqueen · 28/08/2012 18:37

Band costs have been covered in past Cognito, so didn't cost anything and he did get paid, but not enough to warrant being away all weekend. Like I said, happy for to do gigs, but not where he is off ten weekends of the year!! Once he went away for a whole week abroad.

Knitting - don't know how to but could learn!
Love reading, yep, that is on the list, great idea!
evening class for new skill, good too! Maybe one that means I have to leave house just as DP comes home.... Or a Saturday. Yes, one that will improve job prospects so worth investing in. Love it.

Keep ideas coming please!!!

OP posts:
Grumpla · 28/08/2012 18:40

I'd just go and sit in the local pub library! Free time should be divvied up equally. He's taking the piss.

blackcurrants · 28/08/2012 18:51

Night school stuff at your local sixth form college or community college can be free or very cheap - also see if your local YMCA runs things. Book club/group? Village-hall pilates/yoga class? Definitely a knit/craft group is worth researching.

I'd love to start learning spanish. Local college runs night schools - I can even afford it. it's on my 'things to do once DS starts school' list.

cerealqueen · 28/08/2012 19:43

I can't recall last time I went to the library for me, am usually running round after Dd1 and choosing her books, my ticket never gets used. Also on the list. Library and then coffee shop to peruse books. Just not used to thinking of me time.

OP posts:
solidgoldbrass · 28/08/2012 20:39

Are your craft things the sort that other people might like to buy? How about stallholding from time to time; this can bea lot of fun even if it isn't massively lucrative.

cerealqueen · 28/08/2012 22:30

Solid I have given things as presents and sold a couple of things on Ebay, not really for profit, just covering my costs but I enjoy it. Another good idea, though don't really have the stock levels for a stall as yet!

OP posts:
lambbone · 28/08/2012 22:36

Bellringing. Free, tremendously interesting, a challenge, sociable. There's bound to be a tower near you and experienced ringers always welcome new recruits.

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