Question for Divorced Women

That is sweet of you to recognize that need for her. When my daughter would go to her dads for amonth in the summer was really hard. I noticed that mom energy is creative energy. I found myself doing a lot of planting flowers and green plants - I guess I needed to see something grow! I would also tackle craft projects around the house. Turning an old window into a wall hanging or gluing beads all over something. Just crafty, artsy stuff that never would've occured to me when I had her to focus on. I also took the time to cook things she would Never eat - grown up food - and maybe have grown ups over for dinner. But the absolute worst are the holidays. Please be sure that she has somewhere to go when they are with thier dad. My 1st divorced Christmas I dropped my little girl off and I just sat in my car and cried. The next year I was getting my head on straight and I volunteered at a shelter for Thanksgiving and went skiing for Christmas. Everybody kept telling me to do things for myself and that just didn't make sense at first. Eventually I understood that I didn't have to martyr myself and be miserable while she was gone. That only caused guilt for her. SO, I tried to make sure I had fun stories to swap with her when she got back so she would know it was ok to go and have fun and not worry about mommy being all alone.

Best thing I did after divorce was joining an exercise class, cardio kickboxing to be exact. I was always a health nut and would exercise, but that just entailed power walks most days.

Another thing was getting together with my girlfriends, rent some movies, get some wine, a bunch of munchies and chill out on a Saturday. That became like a every other weekend thing because we would have so much fun. I remember one movie we rented that we ended up watching over and over again was "The Sweetest Thing" with Cameron Diaz and Christina Applegate. It was hilarious!

I started reading a lot. Going out to lunch or dinner. Visiting my sister more.

Things like that kept me busy, feeling good and prevented me from getting lonely/depressed on those Sat/Sun my daughter was with her Dad.

LOL, I remember the first thing I did. I painted my living room wall crimson. Sounds depressing, but I actually decorated it a japanese theme, and I loved it. I didn't stop with the living room either, I re-did my entire house, and I didn't spend a lot of money doing it either. I just felt that by completely changing it, it was a fresh new house that was 100% MINE because I did whatever I wanted without consulting anyone.
Other then that I exercised, took up crocething, walked, went to the book store, learned how to cook new things, gave away a lot of my old clothes, went out with my friends, hung out with my family, made it a practice of detailing my car every week (myself), did beginners yoga (wasn't great at it but it was fun trying), went to thrift stores, antique stores, flea markets, swap meets (with our without friends), went for monthly pedicures, traveled by myself...basically whatever I wanted to do! =) Hope this helps!

Hi. I hung out with family and friends. I read a lot and watched movies, even went to movie theaters by myself. I just find things that keep my mind busy. But most important was being with my closest ones, whether they were friends or family during the moments where I found I missed my little girl. It does get better once you get on a routine to stay busy. Then, eventually time will run out!

I have 50/50 physical custody with my ex (no way I could take my son away from his daddy more than that) and I stay PLENTY busy.

I play soccer twice a week on the weeks I don't have my son.
I play hockey once a week on the weeks I don't have my son.

I organize GNO with my various circles of friends.

I completed DivorceCare at my church, which was a lifesaver.
I watch chick flicks either by myself or with a friend.
I take long baths with a good book and a glass of wine.
I go to bed early and enjoy the extra sleep.
I work on my blog or photo book.
Unfortunately, I have to mow. ;)

I stay busy about 95% of the time and on the nights I DON'T do anything it's b/c I planned a night of nothing.

I would say just be there for her. She may not want to do anything at all, I know I don't when I'm depressed and my daughter goes to her dads for the weekend. It gets lonely. My sister sometimes drags me out against my will and I am always greatful she did it because I feel better afterwards.