I am a single-mother and I have 2 children. My ideal weekend is all about relaxing from work and from school. I don't like to plan things on weekends. Once in a while we have plans but most of the time, we relax and do what we like.
I look around and many other families are so busy during the weekend. They go to museums, festivals, activities, etc.
As a child, during weekends, I'd play with friends. Once in a while, we'd visit museums or do special activities and I find it was special because it was not part of the regular routine.
This question is for teens, parents and single-parents.
What is a 'normal family' lifestyle to you?
I'd like to know your view on this. Thanks!
2006-09-03 05:28:44 · 17 answers · asked by Shaana 5 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
I think your life-style is normal, I do the exact same thing....but I know of a few families that are buzy all week long, with work and school, after-school activities etc.....how do they do it? I´m even too tired to think sometimes...no, seriously, much better to relax and do some fun things every now and then! More special that way, and memorable hopefully!
2006-09-03 05:38:47 · answer #1 · answered by SWE-girl 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a single widowed mom with 3 kids under the age of 8. We do something different every weekend. Sometimes we visit family near-by. Sometimes we stay home, work around the house, rent a movie, have friends over. Sometimes we go to a baseball game (go Tigers!) or a festival or an amusement park. As long as my kids are happy and I am happy, that is all that really matters. We will never have what is considered a "normal family lifestyle". My kids will always be wondering why their daddy died and looking to me to make it all better. We just go with what feels right for us and I really don't care about what other people think. If we are having a "down day"and want or need to stay home, well, the rest of the world is just going to have to go on its merry way.
I personally think there is a lot to be said for down-time. It is key to a child's healthy development and keeping a parent sane, lol. I think over-scheduling is over rated. I do keep my kids active but I have limits, especially during school. One activity per kid, that's it. And only if they want to.
Do what is right for you and your kids. As long as you are all happy and healthy, I think that's all "everyone else" (whoever "they" are) really cares about.
Give yourself a pat on the back, it sounds like you are doing great job!
2006-09-03 12:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by feather girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a mom of three I do the same thing. We hang around the house all weekend with no plans. If the children ask to do something they have to give me a weeks notice, please no last minute decisions!. e.i. like a trip to the zoo, museum, or wherever. I hate hustle and bustle on weekends! We do it all week long and all of us here, are happy to just lounge around with nowhere to go. All week we are expected to abide by a routine e.i. be at work at a certain time, be at the bus stop or after school activities, eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at a specific time, go to bed at a certain time. We are perfectly happy with doing nothing on weekends. Even our meals are not on schedule, we eat whenever and whatever we want on weekends. We have lived this way for 12 years and no complaints! This is "normal" for us.
2006-09-03 13:43:43 · answer #3 · answered by colleen3273 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are the same way pretty much. I am married- our whole week consists of school, housework, being busy. Weekends are times when we can just relax at home and not have the pressure of having to do stuff. I like to have at least one ifn ot two cluttered days a week. We will occasionally go geocaching or take a day trip or something, but for us it is not parto f the regular routine either. I dont think you have to plan every minute of every day. We need to have time of relaxation and refreshing- if hteat is refreshing to you then don't worry about having to "do stuff"
2006-09-03 12:51:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow , great "Q" . I am not sure if I know what is NORMAL FAMILY LIFE anymore. What is normal or usual for me is to spend as much time as possible with friends and or family doing simple things like cookouts, swim party's ect. In these times however so many things have changed... like how we keep in touch , what a family UNIT is , how much time we really have to spend w/ friends & family , and our ideas on raising our children . Todays world is so different from the one I grew up in that it scares me.
My parents always knew were I was and what I was up to... well almost all the time ! I knew what my kids were up to and like my parents I wanted to know what their interests were , and I was also there to disipline them when nessary . A lot of parents are either single like you and have to rely on others ie. for day care ,school or sometimes other child care. Some are still close to their children , but from the condition of this country many don't care or even care . That is so sad . I am greatful when I find one like you who appears to be concerned . I guess there is still HOPE for us after all . Yes honey you sound normal to me !!!
2006-09-03 12:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by Geedebb 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'm married, have a kid, and go to school full time. museams and what not are NOT a part of my normal routine. letting the kid play with friends afterschool is all i have time for in a day. i think we go out as a family to activities like fairs or whatever like once a month, or every two months. weekends should be about relaxing, not about all the places u can cram into a day. hope it helps!
2006-09-03 12:32:57 · answer #6 · answered by sobia1 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was a single mother too. I was the one who took my children to the museums, parks, fishing, festivals, games, theatre, plays....I wanted them to have a full and enriched life. I had time to be a vegetable and relax after they grew up. This is their time. Keep their minds open and active. Let them experience all the things in life so they have great memories.
2006-09-03 12:32:43 · answer #7 · answered by Trollhair 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You sound pretty normal to me. I was a single mom on a budget, so I didn't have a lot of extra money for activities, but we have some pretty good memories of picnics in the park, community activities that we enjoyed. If everyone in your home is content and happy, what else matters?
2006-09-03 14:08:07 · answer #8 · answered by Renae 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Screw the social "norm"! What matters is that you and your kids are happy. Nomalacy is what you make it. What your kids will remember most is that you were always there for them, that you love them, and you always put them first. Once in a while treats to the museum, movies, or whatever are nice but what about a family picnic in the back yard or an indoor camping trip in the living room? Chances are, those will be far more special in their hearts.
2006-09-03 12:38:12 · answer #9 · answered by serena_dee 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A normal family lifestyle is doing things that everybody wants to do. Ask what the kids would like to do. Whatever makes you all content is the answer.
2006-09-03 12:35:30 · answer #10 · answered by JistheRealDeal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋