A good friend is coming over for a few hours in a few days. She says she wants to visit with me and then she is keeping my kids and sending me out on my own. (I have a baby and a toddler and I am NEVER alone.) She thought I could have lunch with my husband, but now he has meetings and may not be able to make it. I thought of going clothes shopping since trying on clothes is nearly impossible with a toddler, but I don't want to spend a lot of money. So I'm looking for ideas - what would you do with a few precious free hours?
Thanks so much for all of your answers. When I read "pedicure," I smacked myself in the head and thought, "I can't believe I didn't think of that!" Some of you mentioned book stores, and I remembered I had credit at a used book store for books I had turned in. I hadn't been back because it wasn't a good place for my daughter. I decided I would go to the book store, take my book to a coffee shop and read while I had a snack-y lunch, and then have a pedicure. Heaven! Then, then night before, my husband said, "So, are you still coming to lunch tomorrow?" I was glad we were able to have lunch, but it broke my heart to cancel that pedicure! I did run by the bookstore after lunch and pick up a few books. Thanks for all of your suggestions! (Lots of people suggested movies, but I thought that going to a movie plus drive time would be 3 hours, minimum, and I was worried that might be longer with my kids than my friend had bargained for!)
This may not apply to you, but today while the older kids were at school and my son was napping, I took 30 minutes to sneak out of the house to sit in the kiddie pool in my yard (without being splashed!!) and read a magazine.
HEAVEN!! ;)
Stop for a quiet Alone lunch w/ a GOOD glass o'wine and then a mani-pedi!!!!
You have a Very Dear Friend, could you loan her out?? :-) LOL
ENJOY
*Take sneakers and a book to the park (first walk then read)
*Go to the library to take my time to pick out a new book to read
*Clothes shopping (doesn't have to be expensive, hit the sales rack)
*A nice lunch by myself. Get it to go and take it to the park if you don't like to eat by yourself in a restaurant.
*Matinee movie
*Odds and ends shopping at a cute little store
*get a pedicure
*go to the gym then treat yourself to a smoothie or ice cream
*buy yourself an inexpensive bauble ($5 max limit). something fun or pretty to look at when you're at home reminding yourself of your fun day out
*Christmas shop early?
I'm getting excited just typing this. Have fun! :)
Ooooohh...that's a good question! I'd probably go for a manicure and pedicure OR a massage :) That's SO nice of your friend to do that for you!! Take full advantage and don't feel bad...splurge a little on yourself -- you deserve it!!
Options running through my mind would be:
I would go to the library and read
Go for a walk then to a park to read with a huge sandwich and a pepsi
Make a lunch date with a friend since hubby is working
Go see a movie and get my own bag of popcorn and favorite treat
Make sure it is something relaxing and fun and you will feel soooo good coming home to your little ones. Give your friend a big hug upon arrival...what a thoughtful friend!! Best wishes and enjoy your day. I want to hear what you ended up doing!!!!
Damn, wish I could meet you out for lunch!
ANY kind of shopping can be a great joy alone when you're used to dragging little kids around with you! I'd STILL go shop a little, as weird as it may feel to you, find a quiet spot at the bar, have a glass of wine, order a little snack, or your face coffee shop with a BOOK!
:)
I would go to the bookstore and browse in peace. Then I would grab a book I've wanted to read for a looong time, grab a beverage of choice, and enjoy the quiet. I like the going to the movies idea, too.
I'm jealous:)
i agree with jo. sleep sleep sleep.
Go to a movie? I love going to a matinee, of a movie that isn't animated, sitting alone in the dark with my popcorn and not having to answer any questions about what is happening on the screen. Yep, that' s what I would do.
I don't know how you feel about going by yourself, but I would go see an adult movie with a big bag of popcorn that is ALL MINE!!!!
Anything YOU want for once!!! Lol.
Think back on things you have told yourself over the past few weeks.
"man I wish I could do that, but who would watch the kids?"
I always say, I wish I could go and get a pedicure, or see a movie, or exercise by myself.
Grab a coffee, and go read a book at the park alone.
Go see a friend, go to a spa, you can get great cheap spa packages.
Tons of things you could do, just have to figure out if you want to do something fun, relaxing, or what.
Dont stress and just do!
Have fun!!
My favorite thing to do was to get a lunch and take a good book to a park and sit in the shade and eat and read with no one bothering me. I still do it now lol and my kids are grown.
Movie and a pedicure and bring a good magazine with you while you get your feets rubbed.
get hair done,
nails done,
lunch with friend,
sleep,
if weather is nice, get some sun while reading a good book
shop (get something new for yourself, does not have to be expensive)
see a movie,
either go to book store or library.
Whatever you decide to do, just enjoy it!
Right now I would sleep.
I would pack a yummy picnic lunch, drive to a local park, sit under a shady tree and read a book.
Clothes shopping would be my first choice as well - I tend to buy everything on line and try it on when it arrives at home since I have a baby and a toddler as well. :-)
Other choices - manicure and pedicure although that can be pricey too. Would love to get my hair highlighted for the summer - again costly.
I have not seen a movie in 3 years so I would probably go do that even if I was on my own. Something that I really wanted to see that I knew hubby would not be interested in.
I also love swimming and since I always have the kids when we go to the pool I never get to swim on my own. I would love to go and lounge by the pool, read a book and swim when I got to hot.
Ahhh....good question to start the daydreaming! Whatever you chose to do, have fun!
Holy cow... Where do I begin???
I'd go to the gun range, go bowling, go to the batting cages, see a movie, go for a drive and see some place new to me, get a manicure or a massage... My list could go on for miles.
I'd tell my husband to meet me for lunch!! I'd remind him of the precious little time you spend as a couple. My spouse and I never pass up time alone and our kids are teenagers! We go to the dump. We have lunch. We laugh. We clean out the garage. The list goes on!!
That said, if my Mr. couldn't meet me for lunch, I'd get my house picked up the way I like it. I'd clean out closets and do chores that are impossible to do with kids around.
Then -- if I ran out of ideas, I'd have a cup of tea and watch TV.
LBC
I still suggest clothes shopping. You don't HAVE to buy anything...just try on a bunch of stuff and see how the latest styles look on you.
I love to read and I spend any chance I can get browsing the shelves in the library or bookstore.
Or if you don't like to read, check out a few magazines at the library (free unless you have a fine) and go get a cup of coffee ($5) and a donut (1000 calories) somewhere (peace and quiet? priceless!).
a massage?
a pedicure?
an hour in a hotel room with husband on his lunch break?
Im just naming the stuff id do
I would go somewhere quiet and just relax!
I would get a haircut, a massage and get my nails done! Enjoy!
