what to do immediately after dropping off kids

darmitage55 · 2026-05-26T13:12:00+00:00

Walk. Seriously, just get outside and walk. Don't have a destination. It won't fix anything but it breaks the freefall.

First few times I dropped mine off I just sat in the driveway. That taught me nothing good lives in stillness right after. Move your body before your brain takes over.

Immediate-Story2562 · 2026-05-26T03:58:39+00:00

You go home, blast some music, start cleaning and when you catch yourself feeling sorry for yourself or thinking about her, you drop down and give yourself 20 pushups, no questions asked.
Or go for a run or gym or exercise and if you can, get yourself a dog. Dogs give you unconditional love if you treat them right and look after them.
Whenever you feel down, jump into action. Any movement will do. It will also make you sleep better.

UnknownUsername113 · 2026-05-26T00:58:16+00:00

Find a hobby or a project.

I used to be the same way. I dreaded the day I had to drop them off, especially on long weekends. Ex and I do 50/50 and the best way to do that is a 2/5/5/2 schedule. It means weekends are 5 days for each of us with 2 days during the week. It’s nice for trips but those long weekends without them were tough at first.

I poured myself into work. Now that I’ve sold the family home and bought my own, I have plenty of projects to keep me busy. Not that I ever enjoy being without them, but it is a nice reset and by the time the weekend is over I’m pumped to see them, as are they.

It gets easier.

GoldenHour2929 · 2026-05-25T12:43:15+00:00

If you're in a living situation that allows for it, have you thought about a pet? I have a dog so the house never has that cold, empty feeling and he keeps me going. My kids also love him, so it's something for us to bond over.

rdwrer_711 · 2026-05-25T04:30:32+00:00

I pour myself into hobbies. Running, improv, stand up, salsa and social dancing in general.

I do life at my home gym and clean the house. I work, but then I don't spenduch time at home.

Sunblog-is-cracked · 2026-05-25T03:48:50+00:00

I usually run if it’s not the morning aka school

RevolutionaryLaw8854 · 2026-05-25T03:34:13+00:00

Go to the gym. I’m serious

painfulletdown · 2026-05-24T23:51:22+00:00

I usually clean up after them. (Do dishes, wash their laundry (clothes, towels, sheets), clean up their toys / art supplies / mess.) Catch up on the newest episode of Euphoria or Maul, surf the internet, go on an exercise walk, thrift shop, go grocery shopping, take a nap, etc...

gruntled_manbearpig · 2026-05-24T23:28:23+00:00

Document the time together in a way that will both help you remember the good times and protect you going forward.

Pictures of you having fun, anything notable or interesting the children did & said, their temperament, locations, etc.

Then, if you can, try to get in some exercise -- even just a walk. In general, I find having a planned activity afterward helps.

LifeLivedOutdoors · 2026-05-24T23:12:13+00:00

I went through a period of not knowing what to do for a long time after the split schedule started. I had never had time without my kids before. I felt Lost, despair, no sense of what to do or when or why. For a while I was eating fast food in my truck alone, watching Paul Harrell on YouTube. His passing had another layer of sadness because of this. I eventually moved to going to the gym. Setting goals for weight loss, increasing my engagement in hobbies. Planning activities for the next time I saw the kids. All kinds of things. I do wish you the best.

Motor-Hat-3061 · 2026-05-25T17:59:14+00:00

I just sit there, moaning at the sky.

Title	what to do immediately after dropping off kids
Author	Checkyopoop
Upvotes	4
Comments	18
Date	May 24, 2026 11:05 PM UTC (2 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/Divorce_Men
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/Divorce_Men/comments/1tmr7f0/what_to_do_immediately_after_dropping_off_kids/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/Divorce_Men/what-to-do-immediately-after-dropping-off-kids.1581171 https://theredarchive.com/post/1581171

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