When it comes to shared custody, you may think you’ll look forward to your time off from parent duty. After all, some time to yourself without the kids may sound pretty relaxing. But in many cases, parents find that they aren’t quite sure what to do when their kids go with the other parent. The house seems a little too quiet and you feel like you’re forgetting something. So here’s some tips for the best ways to occupy yourself during time away from the kids.
Time Away from Your Kids: Best Ways to Stay Occupied
Start Exercising
One of the best ways to occupy yourself during time away from your kids is to exercise. Since it’s just you, it’s a great time to begin focusing on yourself and your health. Find ways that you enjoy exercising, whether it’s working out or joining a fitness class. In addition to being more fit, this can be a great way to meet new people. It can also give you something to focus on and goals to obtain, in order to fight feelings of boredom or loneliness.
Find a New Hobby
With more time on your hands, it can be a great opportunity to find a new hobby. Maybe there’s something you’ve always had an interest in but much time to try it. Or maybe you’ll need to start looking for things you may want to do. For instance, you may want to swim, run, or hike. Maybe you want to take an adult-only vacation or do some traveling.If you don’t want to be that active, you may try reading, painting, or learning to play an instrument. Like being active, a new hobby can also be a good way to meet new friends that share in your new interest.
Hit the Dating Scene
Another good thing to do in your time away from your kids is to get back into the dating scene. After going through a divorce, dating again can seem a little scary. It’s important to give yourself time to heal and adjust, so don’t rush back into things. However, you do want to slowly ease back into dating whenever you feel the time is right. And the time away from your children can give you the opportunity to do it. That way you aren’t having to leave them or bring your date around to meet them. It’s a good time to date without involving your kids in that part of your life.
In short, time away from your children can be a hard adjustment. But you want them to have a good relationship with their other parent. So it’s an adjustment you will have to make. Therefore, you want to make the best of it and find ways to better your new life.
