Lately I have found myself with unexpected down time during ds#2's nap and in the evenings. I absolutely hate sitting down and vegging in front of the Tv. So I am looking for suggestions on hobbies or other ways to keep busy.
I like to read and I write novels and a blog. But I get antsy if I sit long. During the day, I hike or go outside with ds#2 because he is so active and would live outside if he could.
Downtime? What's that? It's like saying "my diamond shoes are too tight, and my wallet is too full of 50 dollar bills."
Hate to say it, but one day you will miss this ‘vegging’ time.
As Diane B. suggested, get some hand weights, #5, #10, and #15 are great to start. Get a workout routine going. Arms/ chest one day. Legs back the next. Weight training is so important to women, and will slow down aging and weight gain. Years from now you will thank yourself if you learn how to weight train properly and make it a habit. Your kids will be thankful too!
There are a ton of weight training and other workout videos on tv via You Tube. You could really learn a lot and get inspired.
You Tube could also get you started on a ton of new hobbies.
Besides that I would clean house, catch up with friends, visit Mamapedia ;-), read or meal prep.
geez, i wish i had time i needed to fill! i always seem to be way too short of downtime.
i have a running list of projects that need my attenion during that elusive 'when i have time' time. scrubbing the baseboards, taking the books all the way off our bookshelves and cleaning it shelves (and books) really well, cleaning my walk-in closet tip to toe, bedside table drawer, junk drawer, clean saddles and bridles. that's on top of more pressing stuff like lift weights, pre-cook and freeze some healthy dinners to have ready to roll, make frozen doggie treats and work on the pile of mending that i plan to finish ever winter and never do.
khairete
S.
I glanced back at a few of your prior posts to get some ideas, and I'll add some of my own.
Get an exercise or yoga DVD, a mat and some hand weights. Work out or do some stretching or both - weight training now helps ward off osteoporosis in the long run, and builds muscle and helps prevent back injuries now (important if you are lifting kids into car seats and so on).
Organize the craft supplies and art supplies (or toys or books) on a shelf of one of those plastic drawer units, and label the shelves/drawers with photos (download from internet) so kids who aren't readers can put things away or at least know where to look.
Set up a bin or basket for random kid stuff left on the floor - a stray shoe, a lunchbox, stray legos or hot wheels or stuffed animals. If you're really into responsibility, tape an envelope on the outside and make cardboard strips with small chores on them (empty bathroom wastebasket, take out recycling to garage, put water in the dog's dish, wipe the bathroom counter... - anything they can reach and do without making a bigger mess) - you can use 2 colors for 2 kids and use pictures instead of words. To reclaim a lost item, the child does a chore from the strips. Some people use large tongue depressor sticks from the craft store for this.
Sort through outgrown clothes and find a good charity to pick them up. Same for toys and games in good shape but outgrown or duplicates.
I realize it's sitting down, but find books in the library of party or "Mom, I'm bored" ideas. We did birthday parties with games from a bunch of great party and camp books from the 50s and 60s. It was so much cheaper and more fun than the big venue birthday parties (bounce houses, etc.) and the kids loved the uniqueness. We used plastic Easter eggs (they'll be on sale in 2 weeks!) and created scavenger hunts outside, putting little treats in the eggs. Great way to burn off energy. For older kids, we wrote little clues to follow - great way to reinforce reading skills without forcing it. You could do it for a birthday or just for any day.
Put away some toys and puzzles for rainy day/sick day activities. Kids forget they have them, and then SURPRISE! There's new stuff! Make a "waiting room" box of small fun things for doctor's office visits (especially if it's your doctor and there are no toys) or restaurants while waiting for the meal to come. We kept ours in the car and it was never used except in restaurants. We got some of those wooden toys with golf tee pieces - tic tac toe, similar games, and nothing with parts that couldn't be replaced.
We always did crafts from what my nature-hunting child found - pinecones were rolled in peanut butter and birdseed, and hung outside as feeders. We painted bird houses and flower pots and rocks (wash them, let them dry, turn them into paperweights for Grandma or refrigerator magnets). You might find it fun to do something for yourself. There are some fun things to do with plastic and terra cotta flower pots to grow potatoes, create a small veggie patio garden, herb gardens, butterfly-attracting plants, and so on.
I went back to college when my kids were toddler/preschool age. One or two nights a week, it took forever, this was pre internet so I physically went to class and left the kids home with hubby. I REALLY enjoyed it even though it took forever! Even if you have your degree you might want to build on it or study something new.
If you aren't into the traditional "domestic arts" (gardening, cooking/baking, sewing/crafting, etc.) what about taking on a home improvement project? Paint the living room, build a fire pit or learn how to re tile the bathroom? Home Depot has workshops.
I have a few friends who are published authors and they both belong to different writing groups. Some are more professionally geared (marketing/promotion) and some more just for creative support. It's not hard to find these groups online and you might form some real connections either personally or professionally.
Volunteering of course, either at school or for any organization you have a passion for.
Get a part time job, a few evenings and/or weekends.
I don't really like the gym but I love going to yoga. I like Jazzercise too but haven't been able to work it into my schedule since I've been working full time. I know some ladies who took up tennis, golf, swimming, started running marathons, joined hiking groups, etc.
I love photography and that led to me helping with the school yearbook as well as providing photos for any number of school and family functions over the years.
Really, just spend time following your natural interests!
Mamazita that is so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
I find there is always a 'project' I've been putting off and it feels really good to get it done, and out of the way. Or something I have always meant to tackle, but didn't want to (fear, or some other thing holding me back).
This year, it was cooking. I got recommendations here on cookbooks, and ideas and started.
It's been (to sound corny) empowering.
Sometimes taking up something you've been avoiding (going through your closet, sorting through that clutter, learning a new skill...) is really good.
Maybe you want to do strength training. For me, that was the last few years with friends.
Gardening (small) with your kiddos outside ... just pick one or two things that you enjoy.
I like having a challenge, and then something I find relaxing. I like having something social in there too.
I looked through your previous posts to try to get an idea of things you like to do. You posted less than a year ago asking how to work exercise into your day. Maybe now is a good time to do that. You don't have to do anything complicated, and there are free youtube videos for everything. Start simple - search youtube for "10 minute yoga video" (or whatever length of time you have and type of exercise you like best).
Cook and freeze meals for future use.
Put an exercise bike or treadmill in front of a tv so you won't be vegging while you watch.
Recently there have been a few posts from moms saying stuff like "Time flew by and now he's graduating from high school and I want to make a photo encyclopedia of his life".
Maybe start now on launching a system of organizing "mementos" for each child - photos, drawings, etc.
Ways to keep busy at home during nap time?:
-read
-clean
-do exercise videos...that's what I did
-write your Christmas list
-start a blog
-organize
-take your baby monitor and step outside onto the patio or balcony
-paint crafts
-read books or magazines
-write letters
-look online for baby groups
-paint on canvas
-make crafts
-make some phone calls
-knit
-make Christmas gifts
-join a Mommy and Me group
Marie Kondo-ize your house.
