Anonymous wrote:I would reduce the frequency of the cleaners and clean yourself. And find a project to work on - gardening, crafting, learning something new, reading, etc. You need to set more goals for yourself. It can be simple like making more elaborate meals or trying a new workout. I’m in the same boat as you (recently laid off) but I feel so busy still because I’ve given a lot of thought to what I want to do outside of work that now I’m so glad I have the time to pursue these things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was recently laid off and decided I would give staying home with the kids a try. It has only been 2 weeks but I am finding that I am really bored and miss regular adult interaction, so trying to figure out how to structure my days a bit better.

So far, my typical day is as follows with my kids being out the door by 8:30am:

- straighten up the house (30-60 mins depending on what needs to be done - laundry, load dishwasher, organize)
- go for a walk or do a workout video (30-60 mins)
-shower and get dressed (30 mins)
- prep and cook dinner (1 hour)

All of the above gets me to lunch time and then I have a few more hours until pick up. A couple days a week I have errands to run like groceries, returns, dry cleaning, but that takes 1-2 hours max isn’t every day. We have a weekly cleaning crew so they typically do a deeper clean.

What else are people doing regularly to fill the time between 8:30-2:45pm essentially?

Don't you have friends and family? Are your co-workers your only friends?

If you have time, here are the things you can do -
- Declutter your house and embrace a minimalist lifestyle
- Declutter and organize your garage, fridge, freezer, pantry, dressers and closets, basement, attic.
- Get rid of clothes, paperwork that you do not need
- Try and purge at least 30% of stuff from your house
- Make a Will and get your financial papers in order
- Clean and store away your winter gear
- Get your cars serviced and cleaned
- Host people. Make a list of people that you know, group them according to their personalities or interests etc, then start planning formal and informal get togethers. I am sure you need to reciprocate to people who have hosted you.
- Take a look at the syllabus of what your kids are studying in school. Find them a team of educators, tutors, coaches for their education and EC activities and start putting these activities on calendar. You have been given a chunk of time so please use it to educate your children.
- Schedule all the family members their annual medical checkups for dental, eyes, derm, PCP, specialists - while you still have medical insurance.
- Start teaching adulting skills to your children. Cook, clean, do laundry, hang a picture.
- Start teaching workplace skills to your children.
- Start teaching academic skills to your children.
- Watch documentaries and expand your brain.

Finally, improve your professional credentials so you can find another job.

Anonymous wrote:I was recently laid off and decided I would give staying home with the kids a try. It has only been 2 weeks but I am finding that I am really bored and miss regular adult interaction, so trying to figure out how to structure my days a bit better.

So far, my typical day is as follows with my kids being out the door by 8:30am:

- straighten up the house (30-60 mins depending on what needs to be done - laundry, load dishwasher, organize)
- go for a walk or do a workout video (30-60 mins)
-shower and get dressed (30 mins)
- prep and cook dinner (1 hour)

All of the above gets me to lunch time and then I have a few more hours until pick up. A couple days a week I have errands to run like groceries, returns, dry cleaning, but that takes 1-2 hours max isn’t every day. We have a weekly cleaning crew so they typically do a deeper clean.

What else are people doing regularly to fill the time between 8:30-2:45pm essentially?[/quote]

Don't you have friends and family? Are your co-workers your only friends?

If you have time, here are the things you can do -
- Declutter your house and embrace a minimalist lifestyle
- Declutter and organize your garage, fridge, freezer, pantry, dressers and closets, basement, attic.
- Get rid of clothes, paperwork that you do not need
- Try and purge at least 30% of stuff from your house
- Make a Will and get your financial papers in order
- Clean and store away your winter gear
- Get your cars serviced and cleaned
- Host people. Make a list of people that you know, group them according to their personalities or interests etc, then start planning formal and informal get togethers. I am sure you need to reciprocate to people who have hosted you.
- Take a look at the syllabus of what your kids are studying in school. Find them a team of educators, tutors, coaches for their education and EC activities and start putting these activities on calendar. You have been given a chunk of time so please use it to educate your children.
- Schedule all the family members their annual medical checkups for dental, eyes, derm, PCP, specialists - while you still have medical insurance.
- Start teaching adulting skills to your children. Cook, clean, do laundry, hang a picture.
- Start teaching workplace skills to your children.
- Start teaching academic skills to your children.
- Watch documentaries and expand your brain.

Finally, improve your professional credentials so you can find another job.