Child free for two weeks

[MsColouring]

Also posted in chat. Wasn't sure where the best place for this it doesn't feel right posting in lone parents as I'm not one any more but am I step parent.

My children went off to their dad's for two weeks yesterday. I doubt I will be able to speak to them much over the next two weeks as their dad has a habit of trying to block phone contact (he denies this of course). I have been close to tears constantly since Thursday evening - I am missing them loads.

I am a full time teacher so very sad that I miss some of the school holiday time with them but equally I do use some of their time away to catch up with work. I live with my partner so not alone.

So wondering who else is out there feeling like this. What are your coping strategies? Do you enjoy it or do you hate it?

I try to cope by taking one day at a time. Try and give myself tasks for each day (there are loads of jobs around the house that need to be done as well as school work!) Me and DP try and give ourselves some time together. I try and meet up with child free friends (meeting with friends with children tends to depress me). Two weeks feels like a very long time!

Fantastic, I don't think the op did get lectured. It's just another way of looking at it. I cant tell you the amount of times people post for advice here but get the complete opposite (not that I think that's what's happened here) but this is MN! Everyone gets lectured

On another note, I never have child free time what with dsc and my own dc, I'd love some keep busy OP and plan days out with family/friends....oh to go shopping and not have a toddler with me!

I find booking a holiday or mini break helps - it's hard looking at their empty rooms and keeping to your usual routine without them.
Pamper yourself and do all those things you can't do when they are around.
Wheresthelight - I don't think you sounded nasty - just showing a different perspective.

I don't think Whereisthelight meant any hostility with her post. I get what she means. She's just basically saying where as MsColouring is saying she is finding it hard and missing the children, where was just pointing out that it's probably exactly as dad feels when Ms has the children. No harm was meant as harm - more of an observation from her own experience.

I can also see Ms point and understand what she's asking. She's not saying Dad doesn't feel the same as she does or that she finds it more difficult than him to be separated from the children from time to time. She's simply asking for any tips on keeping herself busy while the two weeks pass so she can take her mind off them not being there. I think she fully acknowledges dad needs the time with them as much as she does.

MS: Can you book a mini break with friends anywhere - or maybe organise to go for a meal with friends/dp. A cinema trip followed by a meal?

But this thread isn't about the dad.

I think that once you have a new partner, you don't necessarily see yourself as a lone parent, so posting in the lone parents board wouldn't necessarily seem the right place either for someone in the OP's position. And unlike lone parents she has the opportunity to make the most of her child free time with her DP, something that many step parents relate to, whether they have their own children or not.

Didn't know the board she posts on was that important, just saw a thread asking for support etc. she even says she's not sure which board to post on. Does it actually matter? The woman wants cheering up, not taking down a peg or two. Compassion and kindness towards people especially if they are upset, is important... She misses her children and wants encouragement to pass the time while they are away. Why start saying 'how do you think non resident parents feel?' Just didn't think it was very constructive or sympathetic

Wheresthelight's comments didn't bother me at all but I think it's because I've heard it all before. I am 4 and a half years down the line from separation and I think you toughen up. Perhaps if I had been 6 months from separation and posting in lone parents I might have upset.