Relaxing Ways to Spend a Kid-Free Day

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This afternoon, my kids are packing up and heading on a camping trip with some friends and I will have 48 glorious hours, child-free. While I love my children with everything I have and appreciate that I have a job that affords me the freedom to be home with them all summer long, let’s face it – we need to miss each other once in awhile.

So now as I sit here, trying to figure out exactly what I’m going to do with the gloriously quiet hours (most of which are while my husband is at work…even MORE quiet!), I figure I’ll share my ideas! While I might not get through this entire list, this should give me a good start and some backup plans for the next time the kids go away for a few days.

Catch up on your favorite shows. This is one of the things I’m looking forward to most. I don’t have to share the TV! Now which of the dozens of shows I’ve been wanting to start on Netflix should I watch first…

kidfreecollageEnjoy a date night. Head out to a restaurant. Take in a movie. Go out dancing. Now’s your chance to kick up your heels and enjoy an evening out without worrying about finding a sitter!

Cook “grown up” meals. Make your menu for your kid-free days just a little more sophisticated. Even if you choose to eat at home or simply don’t have the budget for restaurants, at least you can take chicken nuggets and PB&J off the menu for a couple of days – unless you’re into that.

Make time for a friend. Now is a great time to plan a get-together with a friend or two and simply have a great chat and enjoy each other’s company.

Turn up your favorite music. Listen to all your favorite tunes from high school and college without worrying about the kids hearing questionable lyrics or complaining about having to listen to that “old stuff”.

Purge the kids’ rooms. I know. Cleaning isn’t the most relaxing thing in the world, but it can go a lot faster and you can get rid of the things that the kids would put up a fuss over, without any interference.

Soak in the tub. While this sounds awfully simplistic, a long soak in a bubble bath is a great way to kick off your downtime – and no one is going to walk in on you and ruin it!

Enjoy a glass of wine. Or three. I’m not judging. This is a perfect time to enjoy some grown-up indulgences!

Chat on the phone. Grab the phone and settle in for a nice, long chat to catch up with a loved one. Having a phone conversation in a quiet house is one of the things I miss most about life before kids!

Take a nap. On the couch. In your underwear. Just because YOU CAN. I don’t think I need to elaborate any further on this one.

Get some shopping done. Whether you just go to the grocery store without the “help” of the kids or hit the mall for some serious retail therapy, shopping alone can be simply relaxing.

Reconnect with your spouse. Quiet time. Uninterrupted conversation. An empty house. These are the things that can quickly bring a little spark back to your relationship!

I fully intend on treating the next two days like a quiet vacation at home. What would you do with a couple of days to yourself?

 

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