What can you do when you're child-free?

This week we are child-free. Elf is staying with his grandparents. We have been able to do the following since we have been child-free:

Laid in bed until 9.30 YES 9.30 on Easter Monday
Gone to the toilet on our own, without having to wipe someone else's bottom or play "Talk funny Mummy" (which involves me talking in a range of accents, well mostly American, and Elf laughing at me)
Watched our own choice of telly which isn't, funnily enough, Humf or The Backyardigans
Had a long adult lunch of three courses uninterrupted on Easter Sunday
Turned our noses up at other tables in said restaurant with children attached (only joking)
Shopped in peace at our own pace after said three course lunch
Tried on clothes during said shopping trip
Argued with each other. Why? Because we could!
Worked a full day instead of part-time (to make up for leaving work early last week as Elf had tonsillitis) I don't have to leave bang on time to avoid the huge penalties for picking Elf up late from nursery
Not had to wait outside the house in my joggers for OH to come home so I can race to my Pilates class (does the stress involved in waiting til the 11th hour negate the relaxation achieved once there?)
Laid in bed until the last minute before I have to get up before work (bliss)
Cooked dinner, eaten it by 6.15pm and watched Hollyoaks (it's still awful)
Tidied my wardrobe and put away my Winter warmers
Booked catch-up suppers later in the week with friends separately but ON THE SAME NIGHT
Planned to go to a work friend's 40th birthday party TOGETHER without having to pay a babysitter.

As my and OH's parents all live four hours away, we rarely have any time to go out without having to pay for a babysitter. Our parents take Elf away for a week's holiday once or twice a year, leaving us with a week free to do the above. The girls at work were amazed that I said I wouldn't miss Elf. Why would I? He's having fun with Grandma and Grandpa. I do wonder what he is up to each day. In fact I think I'll just give Grandma a quick call now...

Comments

He's back and I didn't miss him - shock!

His shoes lay strewn near the front door. ACDC riffs belt out from the amp in the front room. My head throbs. Peace reigned for five days. Five long, lazy days. Now that peace is shattered. The boy is back. But - prepare yourself for the shock - I didn't miss him! The school parents' Facebook chat page buzzed while they were away at their Year 5 residential. I started a thread asking if any other parents had received their postcard. We were asked to pack a stamped addressed card. I had but some other parents didn't, making them feel totally rejected! One mum forgot and felt awful. It was on this thread that it appeared I was the only parent who didn't miss their little bundle of joy! Other mums described tears at bedtime the night before. Tears when they were pulling away on the coach. And this was boys, actually, not girls. I jokingly said I was certainly going to win the Worst Parent Award for this half-term. One mum replied that I'd raised an independent boy ra...

Ms Humdrum reviews: The Taken escape room from Escape London

YES we found Bob! Escape rooms seem to be the new thing. You pay to be locked into a room, with your goal being to escape! But it’s a little more than that. Teamwork aids the solving of puzzles and challenges, with clues around you, be it icons or codes. There is not always just one room; often a second room is there for the finding. Based around a theme, this immersive style of game has really taken off, with even my mum completing one! I was imagining a quiz based on general or specific knowledge, but no, it’s not necessary to have any prior information. Anyone can take part. Last week, on a family day out, I “Escaped” with my mum, cousin and her daughter. The rules were explained to us before we entered and we were told that while there was a camera, there was no audio. If we required help (yes you can ask for help!), we needed to dance in front of the camera and help would come via the TV screen in the room. Our theme was “Taken” - our good friend Bob had gone missing and we we...

Would I Lie To You board family game review

Would I Lie To You? "The game of believable lies and unbelievable lies ", linked into the TV show of the same name. Purchased: December 2017 in Waterstones, for around £20 In a nutshell: These TV show-affiliated games usually show themselves up (Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Top Gear) but this game is fun and easy to play (if a little modified) as a family. You don't really need specialist knowledge to play, just the ability to lie! Every year for Christmas, I like to buy a board game to play, even though no games better either Ludo (in which my dad is the reigning cheater-champion, and argues to high heaven over the rules about doubling up or how to place your counters in "Home") or Rummikub (which we can now play with two packs of cards lest we forget the game). This year, Would I Lie To You caught my eye in Waterstones (other emporiums - emporia? - for book lovers are [locally] unavailable). It's a game, it says, for 2-8 players; however we dec...

A Humdrum Mum

Search This Blog