What do people do all day?

[sherrardk]

Since the things have started school I have tried to find things to do (bit of cooking (slowly dragging it out), shopping (slowly), house stuff (dull)) but I am find it seriously difficult to find things to do all day. Getting a job would be impractical (school holidays, getting the kids to and from school, illness, etc) and I don't want to venture too far from home in case I need to pick one of them up from school in case of illness (they seem to catch all sorts when they first start school). How do those of you who are at home all day fill the time?

[237SJ]

You could join a gym. Or take up a sport - horse riding, kayaking etc. Failing that, go for a run or brisk walk which is free, benefits your health, gets you out in the fresh air and you can fit it into your routine.

[Infomaniac]

It depends on your interests. You could do an OU course on almost any subject, or look at the syllabuses of your local educational establishments to see what is on offer. You could also volunteer for charity work in your local area.

[factor-fiction]

I'm 'between jobs' at the moment, doing only occasional days. I usually walk now where I would normally drive - so a trip to the market takes 2 hours instead of 1 and I do several small shopping trips rather than our big weekly shop, but I enjoy the long walks and take different routes so get to see streets I haven't seen before

[erin-x]

Oh how are they doing?? I wondering about them a few days ago actually. How is his speech coming along?

What about volunteer work? Or a wee college course or something? x

[sherrardk]

I know I really need to get a grip and need to give myself a kick up the arse!

[Infomaniac]

Don't be too hard on yourself. It takes a while sometimes to find out exactly what you want to do and the best way to do it, especially as you have children as your first priority.

[mazie]

Hi sher. I always map my day out and mostly it's baking, chutney making, gardening, crosswords..here of course. Cleaning, washing, window cleaning. Coffee with friends. Getting stuff ready for Christmas with the kids and grandkids. Seeing my Mum at the home, so I don't really have time for much more. Well apart from a little reading before bed. Oh, and making lunch and dinner. God, it's so boring really

[sherrardk]

Hi Erin, thing 1 is not towing the line and has only had one sticker for being good since she started school :( , not that she is bothered. Thing 2 has a teaching assistant each morning and does speech therapy every day. His use of words is improving but his pronounciaton is very poor. He is happy to go to school provided his TA is there when he arrives, he tows the line and is plastered in stickers every day. Thank you for asking after them, x

[MrIncredible]

My wife's in the same boat, but by the time she's watched lorraine, this morning and loose women its nearly time to get the kids from school! (she would kill me if she saw this!) we got four kids and by the time she's made the beds done some washing (we got three washing baskets and there nearly always full even though our washing machine/tumble dryer seems to always on!) hoovered/shopping..etc she says her day is taken up with chores.

Have you thought about joining a gym or going swimming, great way to spend a few hours and get fit at the same time, (my gym/swim is always full of young mums one of the many reasons i go!)

[mazie]

FIT.... As Mums, we all way about 8st wet through

[Mick-Talbot]

Get a Betfair account.

[vulcan]

Can you draw or paint? I do a lot of oil painting and it's amazing how quickly the time goes. Often I intend to paint for a couple of hours and when I check the clock four hours have passed.

[erin-x]

I'm glad he's getting that extra support. It'll just make him that wee bit more confident as well :-)

Stickers!! We go through a ton load at work! Lol! I'm sure she'll get them in her own time :-) x

[sherrardk]

Hi all, until 5 1/2 years ago I worked full time. When we moved here I had the eldest three to look after (the eldest at the time was 7), then I had the things so things have been pretty full on ever since. Now that they have all gone to school the days are just so long. Even after doing all the chores and getting tea sorted it's only about 11 am (and that's with doing things as impossibly slowly as possible). Need to get my thinking cap on and get myself sorted out.

[mazie]

What sort of Job would you want sher?

[sherrardk]

Vulcan - can't paint for toffee

Erin - thought she had got one today as she had a sticker in her hair (she is naturally scruffy), turned out to be off her apple that I had given her for snack.

[sherrardk]

Hi Mazie, not sure really, but himself works long hours so can't rely on him to help out (he is self employed). Really need to find some sort of home work, but I know that's badly paid and dull! I feel a bit guilty not doing anything as I have got qualifications and it seems a waste.

[237SJ]

The thing with occupying yourself with chores is you are `doing` rather than `living`. It`s easy to occupy yourself with chores and keep busy but sometimes it`s nice to do something more satisfying.

[sherrardk]

237SJ - you have ht the nail on the head there, I could probably find mindless crap to do all day but it's not exactly interesting or fulfilling (but I am strangely looking forward to sorting out the Lego Death Star - its looking a bit sorry for itself).

[seadogg]

Dogs are a great time waster and what non dog owners may not know is that you make loads of friends among fellow dog walkers. Sometime we get into trouble at home for being late after a tea and chat session.