What do you do all day?

[Rhio92]

My OH has just gone back to work (long story - in short, I was in the mother and baby unit with depression and anxiety and he took time off to look after me), he works long days and is out 6am-8pm. This is his first day back. I'm so overwhelmed. My son is out until tomorrow afternoon, so I don't have him to look after. I've got everything done that I needed to do this morning. It's now 12.25 and I'm lost.
What can I do? It's too hot to leave the house, DD and I hate the heat. I'm getting really scared and anxious, I don't know how I'm going to cope until 8pm, let alone every day

 

[MindUtopia]

Just wanted to send you Me personally, I have to get out of the house every day that I'm home now and often when my daughter was small as well. I would just go in to town in the mid-morning, go for a walk, go to the library (they have a Rhyme Time group there), sit and have a coffee, take another walk, eat some lunch in the park, just anything to get out during the day. I feel really bored and stir crazy being stuck at home with my daughter. When she was small, we could manage it a bit more and did have some days at home. Honestly, a lot of time was spent feeding her and just sitting and watching tv or reading a book or magazine while she slept, or we'd take a walk around the village, or I'd play with her on her mat, sing songs, read a book (I got a full length book, like Alice in Wonderland, and read some every day so that I wouldn't get bored reading the same children's books over and over, at that age, she didn't care about the pictures anyway), and I sometimes took naps when she napped. But getting out really, really helped my state of mind and kept me feeling okay. Early on, I really appreciated joining a few classes that I had to pay for in advance (like a baby massage class that was once a week for 6 weeks). It meant I had to go every week because I'd already paid for it. It forced me to get dressed and get out of the house even when I didn't feel like I could manage it. Actually, it made me feel so much better once I was there.

 

[LovemyBubx]

It is hard being on your own for so long I'm also usually on my own until late evening.

Could you start watching a box set or a series? I watch something every day that I look forward to that passes the time for a bit.

I would also recommend going out even just a half hour walk, I've noticed my DS really loves looking at trees/sky in his pram & enjoy women peeping in giving him compliments reminds me how lucky I am on the tougher days.

Is there a children's centre by you? They always have a baby group at least once a week its a nice place to go just to have a chat with other mums.

I really love my music I carry DS in a sling when he's sleeping & get some housework done with my music going (using earphones)

Do you have a routine with your DS? I find with my 5 year old time goes really fast in the evening. Me & her have dinner, she reads me her book from school, she has a bath, I read her a story.

Then I clean up a bit then its DS turn for a bath, bottle & try to get him to sleep in the crib (he hates it in there!)

By then its about half 8 we have dinner at 5 - 5.30. But some days times vary depending on DS & his bottle so just work around that.

 

[Tattoo]

I try to get out every day, even if it's just into the garden for a bit! I find it breaks up the day and my toddler behaves so much better! The hot weather isn't helping though.
Today I took my girls out for lunch. Baby fed before we left and fell asleep in the car. Popped her carseat on its wheels and had a nice meal with my big one!

 

[lau86]

new babies are really boring aren't they. Do you like anything crafty like baking, knitting?

 

[kellyc1987]

DH also works long hours here too.. I like to try and get out everyday, I can't stand being in all day, I'm lucky to have a close family who live near by, so even if it's popping to my nans or mums for a cup of tea I try to do that. Or meeting up with a friend who had her DS the day before mine and going for a coffee.

This week I've done/am doing:
Monday: Clothes shopping with mum (DH had DS)

Tuesday: Day at nans with mum in the garden

Wednesday: Housework, cleaned Windows, shopped for plants for my window box (and will plant them when I get in) and having a bbq with DH for dinner

Thursday: No plans yet but want to completely sort out DS wardrobe and take out the clothes that don't fit, might watch a film in the evening with DH

Friday: Park with DS, a friend and her baby

Saturday: Whole family go to nans

Sunday: No plans yet

 

[Mrsb3]

When I have done all my morning stuff (laundry, breakfast, got me and kids ready, then we pop off out somewhere like toddlers or library, they nap when walking back home so I then do some sit ups, prepare lunch, and evening meal, catch up on emails, ebay, online shopping, when they wake i play with dd,ds, have lunch , clean up the kitchen, bring in the washing, put it away. Hoover, wash floors , go to park/shops then come home have tea as its already prepped from earlier! clean up the kitchen (again) and floors from all the food that gets thrown (yuk) run baths, story time, then bed. My children are 12 and 24 months!

 

[bumblebeexo]

I try and have things on every day. This has been my week so far..

Monday - toddler group
Tuesday - two friends and their children came over for the morning
Wednesday - went out for a long walk with the kids
Thursday - my eldest has her Gym Tots class this afternoon and then going to my parents house for dinner
Tomorrow - meeting a friend for lunch in a cafe that has a play area
Weekend will probably be swimming and going to my parents for Sunday dinner.

If it's a nice day we go for a walk, either I put them both in the double buggy and go for a long walk or we go to the park/beach. I sometimes take them swimming, my local pool has a lovely toddler pool and both my kids love the water. After summer my eldest starts nursery in the mornings, so I'll be starting to take DD2 to swimming classes and other baby classes then.

 

[bumblebeexo]

When DD2 naps I try and get some housework done, I usually put on a tv programme for DD1 whilst I get things done or I'll get her to 'help' me with her own little brush/cloth etc. Sometimes I'll fill the sink with water and she plays for ages in it so I have enough time to get the basics done!

 

[Tigerlily01]

Can you go someplace public that has air conditioning? When your baby is young it's much easier to go to places that YOU find interesting (library, bookstore, mall, museum, zoo, park, coffee house, meet with friends, etc), since they don't really need to be entertained. When they get older you have to cater more to what they will find interesting, but now you can go pretty much anywhere. I always did better if I got out of the house, even though it was a pain. Even if it's just errands, it breaks up the day. Maybe also find a long-term project to work on for when you have nothing else to do at home and the baby is content? What would you do if you didn't have kids and had some free time? Do that. Just bring the baby with you.

 

[Beanonorder]

I enjoy watching TV shows. My hobby is scrapbooking so if I didn't have a toddler to contend with I'd spend more time doing that! Once she starts kindergarten I hope to have more time for it. I enjoy surfing the net a day also I love baking. I nap when I get the chance. With dd I used to play computer games. Either Age of Empires or Civilisation.
An early evening walk is nice, once it cools down a bit.
I'd definitely find a hobby and spend time on that. Even something as simple as putting together a baby book.