JFF - What Do You Do When the Kids Aren't Around?

I watch all my shows my husband doesn't like, I started sewing and painting and I like to read. I have a couple friends who have adult kids and sometimes we go shopping and/or run errands together or doctors appointments. I also do some housework and downsizing but not as much as I probably should. lol

When my daughter started school in 2000, I used the time to clean my house from top to bottom with my music blasting.

After I got that done, I volunteered at the school, almost daily. I ended up being asked by the principal to substitute because I was volunteering so much and they needed degreed subs. I subbed for 15 years. I still volunteer.

I also did things for myself such as spa day every now and then, regular lunch dates with friends, got my hair done, lunch with hubby, exercise and I even took a couple of short trips by myself to recharge!

One thing I ALWAYS did was to get myself up and ready daily. I still do this. If I look nice (not talking about walking out of a fashion show dessed up) I feel better about myself. If I am dressed and ready for the day I am more motivated as well. When I talk dress for the day, I mean I get up, shower, do my hair and makeup. My routine is less than an hour in the mornings. I wear nice jeans or a cute dress. The ONLY time I wear any gym wear is when I am at the gym. I never wear it as my daily dress.

You will find yourself in time. Be patient. Use the time to discover new hobbies, read a book, exercise, meet with friends and volunteer. Best wishes to you.

I don't KNOW!!!
My kids are all off to school next week and it will be the first time all three of them are in school all day....and I am home. I work a swing shift, so am feeling an enormous amount of mom guilt.
I think I will spend the first couple of weeks doing deep cleans. You know, going through every drawer, getting rid of stuff we don't use, donating clothes that don't fit, gifting gently used toys, etc. I am going to sign up for the gym (again) and get in there every day, I am going to rent some books from the library, I am going to lunch with my best girlfriend on Mondays, I am going to watch some shows (since I can't watch them at night when I am working), I am going to learn some new crockpot recipes so that my family is still eating well even if I am not home, I will probably take some naps.
My kids are 14, 11, and 5.....it will definitely feel like an empty home when they all thunder off to school.

I require Alone Time on a regular basis to recharge my batteries, so not having anyone in the house for half the day is wonderful when I want to be by myself.

The first day of school here is September 1. I'm going out for breakfast with a friend after our assorted kids have all left for their schools. She works full time but took the morning off.

I have a friend who only works mornings, and we meet up for lunch sometimes to socialize before the kids are done with school for the day.

Fall is my favorite time to put in a few miles on a semi-daily basis so I stay in shape. I like to do 5Ks and other walks/marathons/courses. I have two of those in September.

I usually volunteer but I'm not committed to anything right now.

I work from home and it is more efficient without interruptions, husband included.

It is also time for 'fall cleaning' so I have a to-do list. Like work, it is easier to do when there is no one around. Things might stay clean for a whole two hours!

I tell myself I'm going to be so productive and work on projects that I can't do when they are around - clean out a closet, catch up on laundry, etc.

Then I make a cup of tea, sit on the couch, and read a book LOL.

(I've never been stay-at-home, so it's rare for me - that random day when work has a holiday but the kids don't, or if I just need a mental health day and use one of my vacation days. I'd like to think that I'd be more productive if I was home more often. But who knows!)

I went back to college (finished my BA when my kids were in elementary/middle school) went to the gym, read more, worked in the yard, enjoyed just doing normal errands (like shopping) alone, did home improvement stuff, volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and served on different school committees, co founded a book club, volunteered at the SPCA and eventually started working again part time.

I was sad when they first went back. Then after two days, the youngest came down with a fever. Then a few days later, my oldest got sick, then my middle child. Last week was the first week of being home alone. It was nice. I worked out, got chores done, etc. I am now getting back into my side business. Enjoy!

I work full-time, but I do wish I had the time to clean and organize the house. I'd LOVE to paint the rooms that still need it, and weed the garden. Have time to read some of my book not at night and take a nice walk.

Of course, back when I was a stay at home mom none of that got done :).

I'm self-employed and concurrent with DS going to high school, I finished two major projects. Today, I felt tired. After doing the stuff I need to for the family, I took a nap. I can, I've "earned it", and I just did it. Then, I read about 100 pages of a book. Later on, I'm practicing piano for two hours since I have a lesson coming up (and I haven't practiced for about month.)

I'm not really going to even try to "work" for another week. This is DS's first year of high school, which is now 20x more intense than when I went to high school.

Whatever I feel like at the moment - cook something no one but me likes, read, knit or crochet, sunbathe, nap, masturbate.

i get caught up on my sewing or crochet.. well i try to get caught up. and when ds is in school and dd is entertained i sometimes get a minute to work on those things

ride a horse.
read a book.
steel myself to take on a task i've been avoiding like streamlining and organizing the basement, or tackling the piles on my desk.
go for a hike.
write that essay that's been percolating.
all from back in the day- mine are grown and gone.
:::::sniffle:::::::
khairete
S.

I sew, design costumes, finish work/contracts/alterations and things I do for money.