I was thinking recently about Friday nights, and realised that how I used to spend them compared to how I spend them now, is a pretty good indication of how my life has changed over the last 18 years.

Before I had my children my Friday feeling was always very positive. There was something thrilling about the end of the working week, and the anticipation of knowing you could have a lie in, then spend the next two days doing fun and interesting things. Friday nights held a wide range of possibilities - a casual night down the pub with friends; full hair & make up and a big night in town; working behind the bar myself; or if I was really tired (and/or skint) a purposefully chosen quiet night in.

Once I had my children though Friday nights just merged into the rest of the week and weren’t really any different to any other night. Staying at home meant that the ‘weekend’ had been lost to me and was no longer special.  Yes, my husband was home so I wasn’t on my own, but we were still home based and with the children. And added to this, we were usually too tired and too poor to go out.

So what does Friday night mean now? As the children have reached pre-school and school age, and I now go out to work (opposed to working at home) on a Friday, I have noticed a few subtle changes. Having been out of the house all day it is nice to come home and do the tea, telly, bath & bedtime routine before I collapse on sofa at 7.30pm, trying desperately to stay awake until the news at 10!

I congratulate myself on the fact we have managed to get through another impossibly hectic week in one piece, having (if I’m lucky) achieved around half the things on my to-do list!

And despite it not being my turn for a lie-in the next morning, and the possibility that I may have to get up at silly o’clock with the boys, I am just grateful that I don’t have to do the breakfast/reading book/ packed lunch/teeth brushed/getting dressed/finding a parking space and delivering 2 children to 2 different locations before 9.15am ‘time challenge’ which shapes my weekday mornings!  

And of course another major highlight is that wine o’clock normally starts that little bit earlier on Fridays!!!!

Still get a Friday feeling? What does you Friday night feel like for you and how does it differ to your ‘pre-mummy’ Fridays – do share!

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