Struggling mentally now my youngest is at school

[SatsumaFan]

Hello, I have two children who are 7 and 4. Been a SAHP since youngest was born. He's just started school full-time in September and I'm feeling a little lost.

I try and go to an exercise class most days, catch up with friends, do the shopping and housework etc but sometimes feel so lonely and look forward to 3pm. Does anyone have any tips to help me adjust please? I'm sure the time of year isn't helping! Oh, I volunteer for the children's centre one morning a week too, and will be looking for a part-time job next year.

Thanks.

Is there anything you'd like to study? More volunteering?

Remember, your children will leave home one day and you'll have to fill both the days AND evenings, so it would be good to find ways to occupy your time for now and in the future.

It's just a transition period for you and you'll come through it. Whatever you do, don't let yourself brood.

Some more volunteering? It'd help build your CV a bit before looking to get back to work

@rupertina thanks for the advice and motivation. Nothing I would like to study, so will just see what sort of a job I end up getting next year and going from there.

@AnotherOriginalUsername I have asked the Children's Centre to give me some more families to work with and they're coming back to me. I'm also going to be listening to readers at my youngest's school after Christmas, and am registered to volunteer at the library on an ad-hoc basis.

I'm sure I'll soon be filling my days with Christmas shopping and organising

I was just away to say up your volunteering hours but you have looked into it so hopefuly you wil get something look at your local council adult education they sometimes run short courses maybe something like that would suit you.

Btw the feeling passes you won't feel lost forever it is just your baby is growing up thing

Are there any big projects you want to get done while you have a bit of extra free time? Painting a room, organising the garage/loft, sorting out your will, the sort of thing that you always think about doing but is hard to squeeze in regular day to day life

Definitely fill your time, but don’t rush into anything you can’t get back out of. The primary school hours are short, and they have so many holidays, you’ll still be needed plenty of the time.

Enjoy this time when you have some time to yourself and they haven’t yet become teenagers. Maybe make a plan as to what you want to do longer term, because they will leave one day and it’s good to be ready for that.

I loved the primary years, teenagers not so much - that’s what’s making me go back to work - never thought I’d feel like this.

Get a puppy 😀 we got a puppy now the kids are at school and she is a true joy. She keeps me busy, active and social. I walk her a few times a day and there is always someone to chat to in the park who also has dogs. My dog is very social so she likes to greet and play with other dogs, so I have a chat with their owners. Best decision we ever made.