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Summer is officially over – and if you are a stay-at-home mum (either worried about or looking forward to) your kids going back to school, this month’s article is for you! I have been thinking about some activities mums can do while their kids are in school. Being a stay-at-home mum can be overwhelming.
When your children finally head off to school, either for the first time or after a long summer holiday, you might feel at a loose end. But now is your opportunity for some much-needed “ME” time!
Do you find regular exercise hard to fit in? It might be time to check out your local gym! Book into a regaulr class, and make new friends while you’re at it. If a hard work-out isn’t for you, look out for a yoga or Tai Chi class. These are more gentle forms of exercise to help you relax and get fit.
Have you been missing time with friends that wasn’t centred around the kids? I bet your freinds have too. Why not set up a weekly coffee date in a local cafe with freinds or neighbours. If you’re stuck for who to meet, try the MumsMeetUp site to connect with local mums.
If you have a toddler still at home, maybe with a busy schedule of morning jobs, take a break during nap time to catch up on a box set or a film.
Yes it is important to get some jobs done but you also need to find some time for yourself!
Learning a new skill or taking up a hobby is agreat idea – there’s masses of information on YouTube for free. Lots of people learn new skills that way.
Formal learning (online or in-person) is another great option. You can find details of adult learning courses on the Adult Community Education website SkillsandLearning here, with a huge range of subjectes from maths and creative writing to counselling and barbering.
Online classes can be done at your own pace, and are easy to fit in when you have the time.
In-person classes are a great way to meet people with the same interests as you.
Check your local library – Gillingham has a very active Craft Club that meets every Friday, and most local libraries have similar groups.
Employ My Ability offers vocational training for students with learning disabilities and special educational needs and disabilities. One of their students, Maddie Walters, spent her work experinece with us, and now writes a regular column – Ed
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