As a SM have you ever...

Taken SKs without DH around?
If Yes/No - Do you have kids of your own/with DH?

BM wants me to take SD extra days (DH works 6 days/week and he takes SD the ENTIRE day he is off) - but I don't have kids of my own and honestly, other than going out EVERYDAY and spending $$ I am not sure what I can do to entertain her the entire day... BTW - shes 6.

I know we are going to do some back to school shopping and probably get books, markers, crayons, clothes, etc. But that may cover like 1 or 2 days.. I am talking.. taking her for an extra full week...

Im a little nervous if I can do this... TIA

Re: As a SM have you ever...

I only take SS out for a short amount of time during regularly scheduled visitation - like if DH has to run an errand that is boring for a kid or SS and I feel like spending some quality time together, we head out and do something ourselves. Usually simple stuff, back home in less than an hour, like getting ice cream, going to the bookstore, smelling the perfumes at Sephora (yes, my SS has truly been influenced by me!!!). Sometimes SS and I just hang out at home and watch tv if DH needs to go do something and neither of us feel like going along (we like the food network).

ETA: DH and I don't have kids yet.

Message edited 8/4/2009 9:54:12 AM.

Re: As a SM have you ever...

BM would sooner die than have me alone with her kids...

Re: As a SM have you ever...

maybe you can rent movies and/or play some games...go to the beach, go bike riding, rollerblading, etc. those are some things you can do that won't really break the bank.

Re: As a SM have you ever...

I pick her up by myself sometimes; and I take her out places without DH all the time. Usually whenever I go shopping she wants to come along. Or if I'm getting together with my friends and their kids then I bring her too, even though they all have babies and she's much older. I think it's really important to have some time to bond that's separate from the "family time" we have when Kevin is there.

ETA: You don't have to go out and spend $$ all week to entertain a 6 y/o. There's plenty of stuff to do, especially this time of year with the weather so nice. Watch movies, read books, do craft projects, bake something, plan play dates at the park. You'd be amazed at how quickly a week goes by!!

Message edited 8/4/2009 1:31:43 PM.

Re: As a SM have you ever...

Back when my SD was visiting regularly
(ages1yr-8yrs) I frequently had her alone, sometimes because my DH had to work on a Saturday or on a week when she was with us for winter/summer vacation and DH couldnt take off...Other times just because she would want to tag along with me with whatever I was doing....

Since I had been in her life from so early on, when she was with me it was just a natural thing so it was never an issue....Let her take the lead and I'm sure you will be just fine , you'd be suprised just how busy a 6 year old can make you

ETA- From age 1-7, I did not have any biological children of my own ....

Message edited 8/4/2009 4:39:32 PM.

Re: As a SM have you ever...

I have taken step sons while DH was working, went away overnight for bachelor party, etc. I didn't have a child of my own until two years ago, but I've been in their lives for 6 years.

You can do it! Enjoy the bonding time! I think all of the pp's suggestions on things to do are great!

Good luck!

Re: As a SM have you ever...

My stepson is 10 and I do spend some time with him alone since we get him for 2 weeks in the summer and DH can usually only take one week off. Other times we will go shopping for DH's birthday and Christmas presents, or he will hang with me when DH has errands or drs appts etc. Even when all 3 of us are home together I will play a game or watch a movie with him. DH and I don't have any other kids.

Re: As a SM have you ever...

The only time I have taken SD by myself is if DH has to work during his scheduled weekend. The most it has been was for an entire weekend, Friday night to Sunday evening. It wasn't bad at all. I forget what we did but we made it a girls weekend.

I know it's intimidating to think of a whole week on your own with SD but in my experience, my SD is so much better for me and we have so much more fun when DH isn't around. She's not a brat, she totally listens to me and it's just easier. I have always enjoyed our time together without DH.

Like PP said, there's so much to do this time of year too that won't break the bank. I'm not sure where you live but here are some suggestions:
-Oakdale Arboretum (great place to walk around and it has a really cute cafe to grab something to eat)
-Matinee movie
-Governor's Island has bikes you can rent for like $6 and you can ride around all day
-Montauk lighthouse
-Beach (since she's still kind of young, if you are Town of Babylon, Venetian Shores and Tanner Park both have splash parks that are fun for the kids)
-Rent row boats at Belmont State Park

Re: As a SM have you ever...

I have many times when DH was working, he has to go out of town at times, I did it before we had a child together as well. We now have a 7 m/o and SS is with us for the entire month of August, I am a SAHM so I'll be home with him everyday while DH is working, I'm also taking him to my parents camp next week without DH.

The time really will go quickly, you don't have to be "ON" 24/7, if you need a little down time it's OK to through a movie in once in awhile