Anonymous
Post 09/22/2020 09:23     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Love all my kids, and I know I'm fortunate to be able to stay home with them during the distance learning. But six months into this pandemic, without a night out, without a babysitter, any outside help, and I am fantasizing SO hard for a weekend to myself where I can nap, read, go on a hike, or do whatever the hell I want. A break from the never-ending cooking, cleaning, parenting, navigating the school mess. This cooler weather is also making me just want to hibernate.

And I'm feeling pretty jealous of the couples who don't have young children at home. I feel like yelling at them, LIVE IT UP! Soak it all in! Oh what I would do with all that free time?

What would YOU do with all that free time??


Hundreds of million parents feel the same but they manage without whining and complaining.


Cool. Your martyr medal is in the mail. There is nothing wrong with spending time away from your children. You don't win anything by "managing" your life.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2020 08:20     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My friend goes to a hotel nearby once a month for the weekend. Sometimes one night, sometimes two. Sometimes she gets spa treatments, sometimes she invites friends to meet her for brunch, she'll go see a movie, go to a museum, etc.

She said that one weekend a month gives her the fortitude to get through everything else.


Pro tip - always do two nights. Always. You need an entire day in between to not have to do anything. One night goes by way too quickly. I found that out the first time I did this and my husband insisted I do two nights. He was totally right.



Yes 1 day goes by too quickly, always need that 2nd day at least.
Anonymous
Post 09/22/2020 07:51     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:My friend goes to a hotel nearby once a month for the weekend. Sometimes one night, sometimes two. Sometimes she gets spa treatments, sometimes she invites friends to meet her for brunch, she'll go see a movie, go to a museum, etc.

She said that one weekend a month gives her the fortitude to get through everything else.


Pro tip - always do two nights. Always. You need an entire day in between to not have to do anything. One night goes by way too quickly. I found that out the first time I did this and my husband insisted I do two nights. He was totally right.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 22:19     Subject: Re:Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:I am a single parent so my first kid-free time off was when he was 9 and went to summer camp for 5 days. I loved it so much that I sent him for the next five years. If I had a spouse, I'd go to a hotel for a weekend by myself.


Be careful though when you are out and enjoying this new freedom. I remember once when I finally got out of the house after staying at home for an extended period of time, every weirdo male glanced over my way when I was out and about. I must have had a smile plastered on my face because of my new found freedom. Just a warning!!
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 22:04     Subject: Re:Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

I am a single parent so my first kid-free time off was when he was 9 and went to summer camp for 5 days. I loved it so much that I sent him for the next five years. If I had a spouse, I'd go to a hotel for a weekend by myself.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 21:07     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Love all my kids, and I know I'm fortunate to be able to stay home with them during the distance learning. But six months into this pandemic, without a night out, without a babysitter, any outside help, and I am fantasizing SO hard for a weekend to myself where I can nap, read, go on a hike, or do whatever the hell I want. A break from the never-ending cooking, cleaning, parenting, navigating the school mess. This cooler weather is also making me just want to hibernate.

And I'm feeling pretty jealous of the couples who don't have young children at home. I feel like yelling at them, LIVE IT UP! Soak it all in! Oh what I would do with all that free time?

What would YOU do with all that free time??


Hundreds of million parents feel the same but they manage without whining and complaining.


And some do something about it rather than being martyrs.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 13:53     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Love all my kids, and I know I'm fortunate to be able to stay home with them during the distance learning. But six months into this pandemic, without a night out, without a babysitter, any outside help, and I am fantasizing SO hard for a weekend to myself where I can nap, read, go on a hike, or do whatever the hell I want. A break from the never-ending cooking, cleaning, parenting, navigating the school mess. This cooler weather is also making me just want to hibernate.

And I'm feeling pretty jealous of the couples who don't have young children at home. I feel like yelling at them, LIVE IT UP! Soak it all in! Oh what I would do with all that free time?

What would YOU do with all that free time??


Hundreds of million parents feel the same but they manage without whining and complaining.


But then this entire forum would be so boring
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 12:30     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:Love all my kids, and I know I'm fortunate to be able to stay home with them during the distance learning. But six months into this pandemic, without a night out, without a babysitter, any outside help, and I am fantasizing SO hard for a weekend to myself where I can nap, read, go on a hike, or do whatever the hell I want. A break from the never-ending cooking, cleaning, parenting, navigating the school mess. This cooler weather is also making me just want to hibernate.

And I'm feeling pretty jealous of the couples who don't have young children at home. I feel like yelling at them, LIVE IT UP! Soak it all in! Oh what I would do with all that free time?

What would YOU do with all that free time??


Hundreds of million parents feel the same but they manage without whining and complaining.
Anonymous
Post 09/21/2020 09:55     Subject: Fantasizing about a kid-free weekend

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Why can't you do this? Get a hotel room for a night and leave the kids with your partner. My husband and I have both already done this and I'm planning another night in a month or so.


Ok, please tell me more. Do you venture out to do things go places? Do you stay in your room? I haven't stayed in a hotel room since the pandemic.


When I did it earlier in the year I stayed at a house in rural Virginia and did some hiking but a lot of staying in and reading/binge watching. Our full plan, if you are interested....we rented a house about 2 hours away for a week. I took the kids by myself for 2 nights, then my husband came up and we all stayed together for 2 nights, and then he took the kids home and I stayed for 2 nights. So both my husband and I got 2 nights alone-- him at home, and me at the rental house.

This time I'm planning to find a good hotel deal somewhere downtown on a Saturday night. I'll probably walk around the mall, maybe go in a museum since they are starting to open, eat lunch alone outside if the weather is nice, but otherwise stay in, order room service or delivery for dinner and breakfast, and again just chill, read, and watch TV.



Thanks for the ideas - my wheels are turning!!! I'd love to stroll through a museum by myself or sit at an outside table at a cafe. Or order room service and watch movies!


DO IT!! You will feel so much better after even one night. And there are plenty of things you can do safely (outdoors, indoors w/mask and distanced).