I got a dog—a child who never grows up!

But seriously, I became really passionate about training my dog for various activities. Some are individual (agility, disc) and others are on a team (flyball) but all involve classes and competitions where other empty nesters socialize for 8 hours and run their dogs for 5 minutes on a Saturday. Some of my best friends are now fellow dog people.

Crafts are great but I think volunteerism is best for socializing. You can try different causes or you can join something like a church or rotary club that takes on projects.

Also, having your own life is really important (good for you for seeing that) but your kid is only 10. You have a lot of parenting left to do. If you aren't already volunteering in her activities you probably will need to soon.

Anonymous wrote:Yawn. Knitting? GMAFB

Replace the w for an r. Yarn is a word that invites you to get productive.

Yawn. Knitting? GMAFB

I just started knitting and work with a Spanish tutor. It feels really good to do something for myself!

Try knitting, if you have patience.
This hobby helps me staying away from binge eating when stress knocks on the door.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people start back to fitness if they had dropped off. I also returned to a pre kid hobby and expanded it by adding equipment and taking classes.

But there are plenty of opportunities to be involved. Like volunteering at school and with their sport and attending school and sporting events and being active in PTA and Booster clubs.

Why are multiple people so cagey about their "pre-kid hobby"? What is it? OP is looking for specific ideas.

Sorry. Not trying to be cagey. My prekid hobby was working with glass. I made panels, lamps and whatever else one makes with glass. When I went back to it I added warm glass work (kiln fusing) and mosaic work. In the DMV there are lots of options to learn if you want in person. And there’s you tube. My only caution is that it’s expensive and takes up a lot of space.

I also sew and crochet. I do some drawing but that’s pretty much for making patterns and ideas for glass work. I also do some drawing in connection with making patterns for sewing. I scrapbook (both online and paper) and do some beadwork.

Soon I am going to cook as a hobby. I have been gathering pans and utensils recommended by people who love to cook and are good at it. Empty nesting for me leaves me with so much time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people start back to fitness if they had dropped off. I also returned to a pre kid hobby and expanded it by adding equipment and taking classes.

But there are plenty of opportunities to be involved. Like volunteering at school and with their sport and attending school and sporting events and being active in PTA and Booster clubs.

Why are multiple people so cagey about their "pre-kid hobby"? What is it? OP is looking for specific ideas.

They might be outed

Anonymous wrote:Lots of people start back to fitness if they had dropped off. I also returned to a pre kid hobby and expanded it by adding equipment and taking classes.

But there are plenty of opportunities to be involved. Like volunteering at school and with their sport and attending school and sporting events and being active in PTA and Booster clubs.

Why are multiple people so cagey about their "pre-kid hobby"? What is it? OP is looking for specific ideas.