Please answer honestly

MyBabeMaddie wrote: If you were a 48 year old single mother with a long term boyfriend and had 3 kids whose ages were 22, 20, 18 what would you say your average weekend plans would consist of?

Calimama replied: You can't tell how a person spends their time, their hobbies, or what they do on the weekends based on someone's age and number of kids IMO.

Teesa®© replied: With my children being out of the house, I would definitely be spending more time with MY family as opposed to HIS family .

I might finally get around to fixing/mending all the clothes in my Fix It Box

I could devote more time to volunteering.

I would also definitely be finding "ME".

I'd be able to go to the bars with DH. Heck, we could go on dates!!!

I'd be reading way more books and watching way more movies.

I think the first thing I'd do as soon as both children were gone would be to get my very first mani/pedi... and maybe treat myself to a professional massage

Boys r us replied: Who knows..the options are endless...after all, my kids would be grown and I would just be getting back into the saddle of a bit of freedom! Probably doing some traveling. That said, I'd be spending a lot of time with my kids too..my family is and will always be top priority and I feel pretty confident saying that I'm raising kids who know how important family is..so I hope they'll want to spend a lot of time together!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: well my mother (when she was casually dating this guy...but mostly single) would party with me. Course, she lived 2 doors down and had no friends.

By party, I mean that sometimes we had wine (or other booze), mostly just hung out over coffee and chit chatted, and sometimes we had more than wine.

A&A'smommy replied: depends on the person and what their life consisted of BEFORE children were grown and gone.

gr33n3y3z replied: All I can say is I wouldnt act like I was 18 if that helps lol
But then again I wouldnt be home with a lap blanket either
I would prolly travel with the kids and their family

luvmykids replied:
I think thats a good summary

mckayleesmom replied: I would expect her to do whatever she wants to do...as long as it was something safe and legal....She raised her kids and she is an adult.

stella6979 replied:
I agree. After my kids are grown and gone, I'm sure I'll party it up a bit.

mom21kid2dogs replied:
No clue. When I turned 47 I didn't get a manual. I'll let you know next month if I get one on my 48th birthday!

Cece00 replied: I'd be doing whatever I'd want to do!! I put in my time raising my kiddos & I'd be a free woman!

jcc64 replied: Why do you ask, btw? I'm 43 with kids in the house, but I'm also a person still entitled to have a good time. Are you suggesting that after a certain point, it's inappropriate to have fun?????

MyBabeMaddie replied:
I guess I'm just jealous. My mom has gone out like 5 out of the last 6 nights.... She will never ever babysit for me anymore, and Madison is definitely in the terrible two's. I just needed a break and am at a loss for babysitters.

jcc64 replied: I get you. Can't you just come out and tell her you need a little break? I think you need to remember that your mom's under no obligation to forego her own life at this point. Sometimes I feel a little resentful that my mom's not available b/c she's busy living her life, but I have to remember that she is much more than just my mom, and she's entitled to enjoy this stage of her life. She put in the long hours, the blood, sweat, and tears, and now it's her turn to live it up. I understand that, but if I really need her, I ask and she's there. I just wouldn't expect her to assume the burden of MY responsibilities on a regular basis, kwim?

grapfruit replied: Well if you're MY mom, you'd be drunk by lunchtime every night you're not working. And if you ARE working that day you'd have a few drinks after you got off and then come home and normally have some more.

mckayleesmom replied: Can't you hire a babysitter? Maybe a high school girl in the neighborhood. Call the red cross...sometimes they have a list of babysitters that have taken the babysitters training course and cpr.

grapfruit replied:
The YMCA usually has a list of "certified" babysitters that have went through their course.

luvmykids replied:
I understand that feeling, my dad always reminded me that everything in life is a season...good or bad, even though it feels like it will never change, it will. I know you're young and it's tough but this stage of your life won't last forever

lisar replied: Well I guess it would depend on if I had grandkids or not. If not then I would be trying to get some ME time. And do things that I wanna do.

Crystalina replied:
Maybe just hanging out at the house, going shopping or going out one night.

stella6979 replied: We are so fortunate to have Jeff's Parents that's for sure. They take Avery once a month for the night just so we can have some "us" time. We never ask and never expect it, they just call and tell us they're coming to get her. I know you said your Mom doesn't want to babysit, but what if you asked her for maybe a scheduled day each month where you could just go out for a couple of hours? I do agree with jcc that your Mom is under no obligation as our kids are our responsibilty but it does kind of sadden me to think that a Grandparent wouldn't want to take a little time out of their lives to help out when they can.

mom21kid2dogs replied: My parents, age 67 & 71, are more busy than me! They are retired and loving every second of it. In fact, they're in Vegas this week gambling away my inheritance! If I wanted to book them on a weekend I'd have to start now for next year. They made it very clear to us that although they adore their grandchildren but after raising 6 kids the deal of babysitting is only at their convinience. Weekdays are way easier to book for them than weekends. No big for me, though. They live two hours away so they weren't really an option for me anyway.

I remember the days when I felt very tied in with a toddler. It really helped to change up the routine & scenery. Do something you don't routinely do. Go to an indoor water park or pool (or outdoor if you are lucky enough to somewhere warm), the zoo, a children's museum, take a long walk or bike ride, heck even Burger King's play area can feel like a little break sometimes! Do you have other friends with kids? Could you trade an evening of sitting with one of them?

kit_kats_mom replied: There was actually an article in one of the parenting mags a couple of months ago about this very subject. When I was a kid, we would go to grandmas and bake, hang out all weekend and be coddled which left my mom a lot of free time. With 50 being the new 30 (or whatever, I can't keep track), most grandparents are busy now with yoga, classes, socializing etc and they just aren't as available as our grandparents were. I find it a little sad that my kids aren't getting all of the time with their grandparents that I had but I know that whatever time they do spend with the GP's is quality time.

I hear you on not getting a break though. With both sets of grandparents living far away, we don't get out much either.

Actually, my kids are 3 & 5 and my mom and aunt are coming down in 3 weeks to stay at our house while DH and I take an overnight vacay. That is only the second time it's happened.

Calimama replied:
I hear you. With DH gone I feel to guilty dropping her off at the sitter. When Miabella is really cranky I've found taking her to this huge baseball field by my house helps. She can run for miles and has a great time. Plus I think the fresh air is relaxing for her.