What to do alone for four days?!
December 12, 2016 3:09 PM Subscribe
So my husband has decided to take our four year old on a roadtrip to see some family this Thursday - Sunday leaving me with the house to myself for four days with no one to worry about but myself! SCORE! Except it's been so long since I have had that length of alone time (other than work trips where I am not home) that I'm not totally sure how to take advantage of it. Looking for ideas!
Since having my daughter four years ago, I haven't had the house to myself for more than maybe a day, and definitely not overnight! I'm excited but wondering how to best take advantage of having the house to myself AND being able to go out and do anything I want without having to make sure someone is watching the kiddo or bringing her along.
What ideas do you all have? What would you do in my position? What are the things that are hard to do either at home or out when you have a kiddo under foot?
Here's some facts:
- recently relocated to the Fort Lauderdale area from New England. We are unpacked and I did all my purging before the move so no need to do that.
- Given the recent move, I know basically no one. There's no one around that I would just call to grab drinks.
- I telecommute so will be working Thursday and Friday but have those evenings available, all day Saturday and until about 4 PM Sunday to myself.
- I have a 90 minute massage already booked
- I just got a mani/pedi so no need to do that
- I'm comfortable doing things like eating out alone
- Christmas shopping is done but I do need to do wrapping
- we have a pool and I'm planning on reading in the sunshine for a bit by the pool, assuming good weather, without having to keep an eye on the kid
- I didn't see any movies in the theater I was interested in
- are there shows/movies I should binge watch? I like a range of things - Recently watch The Crown and loved it, also watch "teeny bopper" things like Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries and also things like Harry Potter, Game of thones, etc
- open to doing a bit of driving if there's something great to do but don't want to spend a night in a hotel
How do I take advantage of this - would love to do some things that make me feel relaxed/recharged while also doing somethings I don't often get to do because it's impossible or more difficult with a kid.
Since having my daughter four years ago, I haven't had the house to myself for more than maybe a day, and definitely not overnight! I'm excited but wondering how to best take advantage of having the house to myself AND being able to go out and do anything I want without having to make sure someone is watching the kiddo or bringing her along.
What ideas do you all have? What would you do in my position? What are the things that are hard to do either at home or out when you have a kiddo under foot?
Here's some facts:
- recently relocated to the Fort Lauderdale area from New England. We are unpacked and I did all my purging before the move so no need to do that.
- Given the recent move, I know basically no one. There's no one around that I would just call to grab drinks.
- I telecommute so will be working Thursday and Friday but have those evenings available, all day Saturday and until about 4 PM Sunday to myself.
- I have a 90 minute massage already booked
- I just got a mani/pedi so no need to do that
- I'm comfortable doing things like eating out alone
- Christmas shopping is done but I do need to do wrapping
- we have a pool and I'm planning on reading in the sunshine for a bit by the pool, assuming good weather, without having to keep an eye on the kid
- I didn't see any movies in the theater I was interested in
- are there shows/movies I should binge watch? I like a range of things - Recently watch The Crown and loved it, also watch "teeny bopper" things like Pretty Little Liars and Vampire Diaries and also things like Harry Potter, Game of thones, etc
- open to doing a bit of driving if there's something great to do but don't want to spend a night in a hotel
How do I take advantage of this - would love to do some things that make me feel relaxed/recharged while also doing somethings I don't often get to do because it's impossible or more difficult with a kid.
- It can be really fun to sit at a restaurant with outdoor seating, eat good food, drink enough to get buzzed, and read a good book
- Cook food that you like but that you don't usually make because your husband and daughter don't like it (I have a seafood pasta salad that I only eat in these situations)
posted by Alluring Mouthbreather at 3:17 PM on December 12, 2016 [8 favorites]
- Cook food that you like but that you don't usually make because your husband and daughter don't like it (I have a seafood pasta salad that I only eat in these situations)
posted by Alluring Mouthbreather at 3:17 PM on December 12, 2016 [8 favorites]
Bake a pie or something and take it to a neighbor. You might make a new friend! Even if it's awkward, you will have an amusing story to share later.
See if there are any Meetups in your area that sound intriguing.
Spend a some quality in bed, order delivery, and read or watch feel-good movies. If you have not yet seen Westworld, remedy this immediately.
Living room solo dance party!
Buy a craft kit and spend an afternoon making something neat. Or get an adult coloring book and some pretty markers and have an art day.
Seconding outdoor dinner at a nice restaurant with a book.
Go on a long, leisurely shopping trip, and buy something for yourself.
posted by ananci at 3:29 PM on December 12, 2016
See if there are any Meetups in your area that sound intriguing.
Spend a some quality in bed, order delivery, and read or watch feel-good movies. If you have not yet seen Westworld, remedy this immediately.
Living room solo dance party!
Buy a craft kit and spend an afternoon making something neat. Or get an adult coloring book and some pretty markers and have an art day.
Seconding outdoor dinner at a nice restaurant with a book.
Go on a long, leisurely shopping trip, and buy something for yourself.
posted by ananci at 3:29 PM on December 12, 2016
SLEEP
posted by potrzebie at 3:29 PM on December 12, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by potrzebie at 3:29 PM on December 12, 2016 [12 favorites]
Honestly, I clean thing because my wife isn't there to either distract me or get in the way.
I like to clean by randomly going from room to room. This annoys the shit out of her because I'll move a mess instead of making it go away.
It's nice to just be able to do my thing without having to worry about getting in someone's way.
posted by theichibun at 3:39 PM on December 12, 2016 [4 favorites]
I like to clean by randomly going from room to room. This annoys the shit out of her because I'll move a mess instead of making it go away.
It's nice to just be able to do my thing without having to worry about getting in someone's way.
posted by theichibun at 3:39 PM on December 12, 2016 [4 favorites]
Walk around naked
Play loud music at the times that your daughter is normally asleep
Eat breakfast for dinner or a pint of ice cream and/or otherwise do things you wouldn't do in front of your daughter because it's a bad example
Jaywalk for the same reason.
I agree with potrzebie that you should sleep, but definitely do it at random times when you wouldn't otherwise be able to, like nap when your daughter would be awake, or sleep in late on the weekend when she would normally have awakened you.
Watch a movie that you don't want to admit you like.
Watch porn without fear of corrupting your daughter.
posted by janey47 at 3:45 PM on December 12, 2016 [10 favorites]
Play loud music at the times that your daughter is normally asleep
Eat breakfast for dinner or a pint of ice cream and/or otherwise do things you wouldn't do in front of your daughter because it's a bad example
Jaywalk for the same reason.
I agree with potrzebie that you should sleep, but definitely do it at random times when you wouldn't otherwise be able to, like nap when your daughter would be awake, or sleep in late on the weekend when she would normally have awakened you.
Watch a movie that you don't want to admit you like.
Watch porn without fear of corrupting your daughter.
posted by janey47 at 3:45 PM on December 12, 2016 [10 favorites]
Take a tour and learn more about your new stomping grounds? Look around on Yelp and see if anything looks interesting.
posted by BoscosMom at 3:50 PM on December 12, 2016
posted by BoscosMom at 3:50 PM on December 12, 2016
If it were me, I would:
a) improve my wardrobe. Even though you purged (which is what I would do - I would clean out my closet), maybe this is a good time to thing about something like a capsule wardrobe or something.
b) deal with photos. have some printed, do some albums
c) cook/bake. I enjoy this and would be nice to have some things in the freezer for later.
d) sew (I would work on a quilt I have planned).
Who am I kidding, I would drink wine and watch TV and have a luxurious brunch.
posted by vunder at 3:52 PM on December 12, 2016 [13 favorites]
a) improve my wardrobe. Even though you purged (which is what I would do - I would clean out my closet), maybe this is a good time to thing about something like a capsule wardrobe or something.
b) deal with photos. have some printed, do some albums
c) cook/bake. I enjoy this and would be nice to have some things in the freezer for later.
d) sew (I would work on a quilt I have planned).
Who am I kidding, I would drink wine and watch TV and have a luxurious brunch.
posted by vunder at 3:52 PM on December 12, 2016 [13 favorites]
I would sew. Get out the sewing machine and cover the dining room with fabric and pins. Obviously, this may not be something you're interested in, but is there something that makes a giant mess for a few days without having to clear it up to make space for other people.
posted by kjs4 at 3:53 PM on December 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by kjs4 at 3:53 PM on December 12, 2016 [2 favorites]
Ooh, what a delicious question. I dream of the day my husband decides to do this with our kiddo.
In the same situation, I would:
-- Take a long meandering walk, with or without a destination, without needing to keep one eye on the clock.
-- Check out all those interesting-looking shops and boutiques I pass every day on my commute when I never have time and which I dare not bring a child into.
-- Drop into all the little museums and other cultural hotspots in my city that have piled up on my leisure to-do list. Or find an interesting lecture or go see the orchestra or something like that because it's always fun to feel like an erudite, sophisticated gal about town for an afternoon.
-- Go shopping for clothes and accessories (I despise shopping but my post-child wardrobe is abysmal and to be able to shop without feeling internal pressure to get home ASAP would be a huge help).
-- Stay up LATE binge-watching TV shows and movies into the wee hours and sleep in the next day because OMG, no child vaulting out of bed at o'dark-thirty.
-- Once I got up, drink a whole pot of coffee while reading novels.
-- Stock up on the snacks and treats I try not to bring into the house too much because otherwise daughter would eat nothing else.
-- Take myself out to brunch and order takeout every night.
-- And who am I kidding, I would totally find some sort of cleaning/decluttering/organizing/rearranging to do because that's kinda my hobby, and to be able to blaze straight through a project without being interrupted 50 times is the stuff of fantasies.
Enjoy! I'm super jealous!
posted by anderjen at 4:21 PM on December 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
In the same situation, I would:
-- Take a long meandering walk, with or without a destination, without needing to keep one eye on the clock.
-- Check out all those interesting-looking shops and boutiques I pass every day on my commute when I never have time and which I dare not bring a child into.
-- Drop into all the little museums and other cultural hotspots in my city that have piled up on my leisure to-do list. Or find an interesting lecture or go see the orchestra or something like that because it's always fun to feel like an erudite, sophisticated gal about town for an afternoon.
-- Go shopping for clothes and accessories (I despise shopping but my post-child wardrobe is abysmal and to be able to shop without feeling internal pressure to get home ASAP would be a huge help).
-- Stay up LATE binge-watching TV shows and movies into the wee hours and sleep in the next day because OMG, no child vaulting out of bed at o'dark-thirty.
-- Once I got up, drink a whole pot of coffee while reading novels.
-- Stock up on the snacks and treats I try not to bring into the house too much because otherwise daughter would eat nothing else.
-- Take myself out to brunch and order takeout every night.
-- And who am I kidding, I would totally find some sort of cleaning/decluttering/organizing/rearranging to do because that's kinda my hobby, and to be able to blaze straight through a project without being interrupted 50 times is the stuff of fantasies.
Enjoy! I'm super jealous!
posted by anderjen at 4:21 PM on December 12, 2016 [7 favorites]
Why not try to make some new local friends? Pop by the neighbour's and drop off a note to invite them by in a couple days' time, make a cheese plate and a pitcher of punch or sangria, and get to know the neighbors!
posted by pseudostrabismus at 4:46 PM on December 12, 2016
posted by pseudostrabismus at 4:46 PM on December 12, 2016
I'm in a similar situation; I find my rare alone time is best when I don't obsess about maximizing it, and instead do whatever I feel like doing that moment. The rest of my life is so scheduled, I find it's a luxury in itself not to be on a schedule during downtime.
posted by nuclear_soup at 5:09 PM on December 12, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by nuclear_soup at 5:09 PM on December 12, 2016 [9 favorites]
Go find your local library! See what kind of programming they offer. Chat up the staff, ask for recommendations for cafe, restaurant and entertainment. Check out their storytimes, for your daughter. It's a great way to meet local mom's.
And if music is important to you, set up a playlist and enjoy listening to everything you love!
posted by LaBellaStella at 5:49 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
And if music is important to you, set up a playlist and enjoy listening to everything you love!
posted by LaBellaStella at 5:49 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
do whatever I feel like doing that moment
This. I can, ultimately (more or less), do everything I want eventually. But doing what I want when I want? Sigh....
Also, go to a movie. At night. In a movie theatre. Preferably an artsy one that does dinner, has sofas, and/or allows booze.
posted by jrobin276 at 5:54 PM on December 12, 2016 [5 favorites]
This. I can, ultimately (more or less), do everything I want eventually. But doing what I want when I want? Sigh....
Also, go to a movie. At night. In a movie theatre. Preferably an artsy one that does dinner, has sofas, and/or allows booze.
posted by jrobin276 at 5:54 PM on December 12, 2016 [5 favorites]
Sleep. Sleep some more. Then sleep again. Wake up, do wake up stuff for a little bit then sleep yet again!
Signed, a sleep-deprived mother!
posted by ramix at 6:05 PM on December 12, 2016
Signed, a sleep-deprived mother!
posted by ramix at 6:05 PM on December 12, 2016
-If it would be fun to have a skype date with a friend who lives far away while you aren't interrupted, do that! Maybe have a glass of wine together over skype. (If this would make you sad/miss your former town, don't listen to this suggestion.)
-I like to go through a magazine or two when I have some downtime--nothing too heavy
-Definitely take advantage of sleeping in and sleeping extra and napping
-Even though Christmas shopping is done, shop for something silly/little that makes you think of your daughter and husband, and let them know you got it while they were away.
-Try a new restaurant that you would like that your husband and daughter wouldn't like
posted by shortyJBot at 6:10 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
-I like to go through a magazine or two when I have some downtime--nothing too heavy
-Definitely take advantage of sleeping in and sleeping extra and napping
-Even though Christmas shopping is done, shop for something silly/little that makes you think of your daughter and husband, and let them know you got it while they were away.
-Try a new restaurant that you would like that your husband and daughter wouldn't like
posted by shortyJBot at 6:10 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
Pretend you're a tourist in your town, and do what they do.
posted by LonnieK at 6:11 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by LonnieK at 6:11 PM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
So today I took the day off work because I had a floating holiday that I had to use by the end of year or not get the time off. Here's what I did:
Made oatmeal for breakfast, made a mess on the stove that I haven't cleaned up yet, lazed about in bed playing video games for a couple hours (Fire Emblem Fates!) Then I loaded up my bicycle and strapped my studded tires on top of my rack and biked to a nearby diner for the lunch buffet that's only available Mondays and Fridays. Since I can't go there while I'm at work it seemed like the thing to do.
Then I poked around the bookstore next door to that for a few minutes. Then I biked to the bike shop and handed the bike over for the nice mechanics to make my brakes stop squealing and also install the studded tires, because I am lazy. After I'd puttered around the shop for a bit looking at things I don't need to buy I found myself at loose ends.
I remembered the small art theater across the street and checked their schedule, and there was a promising movie starting in 15 minutes, so I walked over and bought a ticket and watched a really cool documentary about a Kazakh girl learning to hunt with an eagle.
Then I did a little shopping, then popped into a library branch, where I got some books and spent a few minutes working on the jigsaw puzzle on one of the tables. Then I had supper nearby and then got a call from the bike shop telling me my bike was ready, so I picked it up and rode home, this time with brakes that don't suck and tires suitable for icy patches. Hurrah!
TL;DR: come up with a reason you need to get out of the house, then follow your whims. It's probably better to do this without a car if you can manage it.
posted by asperity at 6:30 PM on December 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Made oatmeal for breakfast, made a mess on the stove that I haven't cleaned up yet, lazed about in bed playing video games for a couple hours (Fire Emblem Fates!) Then I loaded up my bicycle and strapped my studded tires on top of my rack and biked to a nearby diner for the lunch buffet that's only available Mondays and Fridays. Since I can't go there while I'm at work it seemed like the thing to do.
Then I poked around the bookstore next door to that for a few minutes. Then I biked to the bike shop and handed the bike over for the nice mechanics to make my brakes stop squealing and also install the studded tires, because I am lazy. After I'd puttered around the shop for a bit looking at things I don't need to buy I found myself at loose ends.
I remembered the small art theater across the street and checked their schedule, and there was a promising movie starting in 15 minutes, so I walked over and bought a ticket and watched a really cool documentary about a Kazakh girl learning to hunt with an eagle.
Then I did a little shopping, then popped into a library branch, where I got some books and spent a few minutes working on the jigsaw puzzle on one of the tables. Then I had supper nearby and then got a call from the bike shop telling me my bike was ready, so I picked it up and rode home, this time with brakes that don't suck and tires suitable for icy patches. Hurrah!
TL;DR: come up with a reason you need to get out of the house, then follow your whims. It's probably better to do this without a car if you can manage it.
posted by asperity at 6:30 PM on December 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Oh man. Four days!
I would:
Read in the bath for like two hours.
Put on my slinkiest nightie and have some "me" time in bed - maybe it would involve porn, maybe chocolate and a novel, maybe junk food and TV, definitely involve sleeping in.
Play my most violent and scary first person shooter on my console. If you don't game movies you can't watch around your kidlet fills the same niche.
Go out for brunch at a fancy pants cafe that does not have a kids menu.
Oh, eat like, complicated dinner from your kid's Do Not Want list.
Shave my legs, dye my hair some sort of outrageous colour and do my eyebrows.
Skype my bestie on the other side of the country for a bit.
I would, I confess, clean the bejesus out of the house on the first night.
posted by Jilder at 7:24 PM on December 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
I would:
Read in the bath for like two hours.
Put on my slinkiest nightie and have some "me" time in bed - maybe it would involve porn, maybe chocolate and a novel, maybe junk food and TV, definitely involve sleeping in.
Play my most violent and scary first person shooter on my console. If you don't game movies you can't watch around your kidlet fills the same niche.
Go out for brunch at a fancy pants cafe that does not have a kids menu.
Oh, eat like, complicated dinner from your kid's Do Not Want list.
Shave my legs, dye my hair some sort of outrageous colour and do my eyebrows.
Skype my bestie on the other side of the country for a bit.
I would, I confess, clean the bejesus out of the house on the first night.
posted by Jilder at 7:24 PM on December 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Soooooo much naked time!
Set aside 2 hours for the middle of one day (say 12:30-2pm) for a long, soothing, milky pastel-colored bath with Japanese bath salts (or some fancy salts from Whole Foods) with a stick of incense (also available at Whole Foods) and candles while you leisurely splash around, shave, deep condition your hair, mask, rub your fingers beneath your toes, steam your yoni, smudge, drink herbal tonics, liqueurs- whatever selfcare practices really relax you and make you feel like a powerful goddess, paired with whatever playlist vibes you the most, and some of your favorite chocolates -- all while still light outside
I know it's all so so bougie and cliche. I know. But. It. Is. Decadent. AF.
posted by Queen of Spreadable Fats at 7:47 PM on December 12, 2016 [6 favorites]
Set aside 2 hours for the middle of one day (say 12:30-2pm) for a long, soothing, milky pastel-colored bath with Japanese bath salts (or some fancy salts from Whole Foods) with a stick of incense (also available at Whole Foods) and candles while you leisurely splash around, shave, deep condition your hair, mask, rub your fingers beneath your toes, steam your yoni, smudge, drink herbal tonics, liqueurs- whatever selfcare practices really relax you and make you feel like a powerful goddess, paired with whatever playlist vibes you the most, and some of your favorite chocolates -- all while still light outside
I know it's all so so bougie and cliche. I know. But. It. Is. Decadent. AF.
posted by Queen of Spreadable Fats at 7:47 PM on December 12, 2016 [6 favorites]
OMG are all the mothers of small people envying you or what. :)
I would sew/bake - do the kind of hobbies I used to do all the time! and never can! or sign up for an art class! And I would eat out alone at all kinds of restaurants. With a book. And check out nice shops and take time to browse as long as I wanted. And I would lie around and relax, I would specifically plan to spend a couple of hours on the couch reading so that I wouldn't feel guilty about "wasting" my time. I would not do stuff like wrapping, that feels like a chore....save that for after bedtime when the kid is back!
I would also do a bunch of cleaning the first night because how nice would it be to have a house that is clean and STAYS clean longer than 10 minutes?
posted by john_snow at 10:22 AM on December 13, 2016
I would sew/bake - do the kind of hobbies I used to do all the time! and never can! or sign up for an art class! And I would eat out alone at all kinds of restaurants. With a book. And check out nice shops and take time to browse as long as I wanted. And I would lie around and relax, I would specifically plan to spend a couple of hours on the couch reading so that I wouldn't feel guilty about "wasting" my time. I would not do stuff like wrapping, that feels like a chore....save that for after bedtime when the kid is back!
I would also do a bunch of cleaning the first night because how nice would it be to have a house that is clean and STAYS clean longer than 10 minutes?
posted by john_snow at 10:22 AM on December 13, 2016
Contrary to the folks saying don't schedule, I find that I WANT a schedule of things to do and to accomplish. Otherwise, I lay on the couch and watch TV and eat junk food. Not that there's anything wrong with that if that's what you want to choose, but I only do it because I get Decision Overload and can't figure out what else to do, so it's the easiest option and I do it ALL THE TIME.
Instead, I make lists of things to accomplish - sewing, cleaning, one-off projects that I've been meaning to get to - and another list of things to enjoy either inside or out of the house. And I try to put it into at least a skeleton of a schedule so I get myself up and out with plenty of time to enjoy.
posted by CathyG at 12:42 PM on December 13, 2016
Instead, I make lists of things to accomplish - sewing, cleaning, one-off projects that I've been meaning to get to - and another list of things to enjoy either inside or out of the house. And I try to put it into at least a skeleton of a schedule so I get myself up and out with plenty of time to enjoy.
posted by CathyG at 12:42 PM on December 13, 2016
I would give yourself time to explore your needs. I don't mean in a kinky way (although, that's cool), but in a way where you think about what you want. I'd sit in a comfy chair and think of what I want to do. And then, when I am 100% sure I know what I want to do, I would do it.
I am a people-pleaser, and although I do not have children, I spend a lot of time caring for others in my work, family and church communities. Sometimes I take time off from to work to do the above, because I need time to reconnect to my own needs and desires. I need time to remind myself that my wants matter too.
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:25 PM on December 13, 2016
I am a people-pleaser, and although I do not have children, I spend a lot of time caring for others in my work, family and church communities. Sometimes I take time off from to work to do the above, because I need time to reconnect to my own needs and desires. I need time to remind myself that my wants matter too.
posted by OrangeDisk at 9:25 PM on December 13, 2016
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A couple of my friends have incorporated mini working trains on tracks around the house/christmas tree, so if that sounds fun maybe you could set that up as a surprise for when your husband and kiddo return. Enjoy your peace!
posted by Drosera at 3:16 PM on December 12, 2016 [2 favorites]