How do you spend your weekend/ evenings if you have 16 and 14 year olds at home

[TwinklyStarrySky]

I'm just wondering what people do when their kids are at these ages.

They don't seem to want to do anything with us! They come down for dinner then are either back in their rooms or the 16 year old is out with friends.

I'm struggling to connect with DH for a number of reasons so I guess I'm feeling lonely. He is preoccupied with his things and my work is very intense and busy. I don't really have hobbies or the head space to start anything new!

Trying to work out if the kids doing their own things mostly is normal... and how people do end up spending their time once the kids are older and more independent.

Totally normal - and it gets worse. The other Saturday she went to friends house overnight and he was out in town with his mates drinking (16/18). But for the last few years he only watches tv with me when football on, her the occasional reality programme

Yes it’s totally normal. On a school night my DD would watch TV either me but my son did his own thing, gaming or whatever. He had a girlfriend at 16 too. I’m a widow so just us.

We are reaching this stage. We take it in turns to take them to sports events in the evenings and then matches at the weekends. Saturday is our one clear day (at the moment!) so use that for jobs/going for a coffee/cinema etc with DH. DH and I both have our own gym classes etc we go to and another shared hobby that we can dip in and out of. We try to watch a series together as a couple and also as a family. It’s a strange time as they don’t need us, but then we have to be on hand for lifts etc. I’m looking forward to when they can drive and already planning for them to share my current car and I’ll get a new one.

Thanks all, this is really helpful to know this is just the next stage and they're in their way to independence!! Just feels a bit strange!

Mine are 14/16 and Yr10 and Yr12 at college. They’ll engage in a family day out or meal and have fun but default if we are just doing normal stuff is rooms with door shut or downstairs gaming.
plus sports / taxi service 😆
i think they secretly like family time more than they let on