So we are big proponents of escaping for a day or two (or four) on a mini vacation without the kids. In fact, we just returned from a girls weekend to Miami (details on that another time, oh my..). Is it terrible to say that we barely (if at all) missed our kids? That it allowed us to truly, totally, fully escape emotionally and physically from our day to day lives, stress, craziness? That we kind of, sort of cringed when we dropped our kids off at school this morning wondering if any of the other moms were looking at us cross-eyed for getting out of dodge without our little darlings?
We’ve each made it a priority to run away from it all, even for 24 hours, with our husbands or our girlfriends pretty regularly, and have learned to shed the guilt associated with it. We’ve finally given ourselves permission to run away, because now we know how beneficial it is. It’s an incredible feeling to come back to your life re-charged, re-energized and really appreciating the day to day lives we have. And we hope that other moms will embrace this for themselves, too.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Good for you ladies! I did have one of those 24 hr escapes a couple of months ago. I went to Orlando, Fl for my best friend’s 40th b-day bash. My husband stayed home with our baby girl.
Even though it wasn’t as relaxing as I would’ve wanted to (we partied until VERY LATE), it was nice to have a change of scenery and not have to worry about feeding times, schedules, car seats, strollers, diaper bags etc.
Next time i do one of those escapes I’ll make sure I sleep!
I think this has saved my life and our marriage. Every year my husband and I each go on a girls/guys trip, my husband usually squeaks out 2 trips (his are always cheaper). I have 4 girlfriends who we plan a getaway with and it is a time to be away from it all, sleep in, shop and re confirm how normal we are because we all share the same kid moments of insanity. We always go for 2 nights and I think this year we are uping it to three. One year we even went away Mother’s Day weekend and that was the best Mother’s Day I have had yet:) My husband and I finally did out first trip in 5 years without kids and WOW I cannot believe we hadn’t gone earlier. We were gone for 10 days and didn’t even miss our kids till about day 6 and then we were still fine. The kids were great too. It was like a big adventure for them to be doing new stuff with other family. We will be getting away more often, I cannot believe how much happier it made everyone:) I highly suggest it and I also am learning to shed the guilt:):):)
I’m 32 and a working mother of 4 (2-8 yr olds). At one time i have reached the maximum level of stress with all the screaming and yelling and the mess. I went on a 8 holiday overseas without my husband and kids. Guess what, i didn’t miss them at all. And when i came home, life was much better.
I’m 32 and a working mother of 4 (2-8 yr olds). At one time i have reached the maximum level of stress with all the screaming and yelling and the mess. I went on a holiday overseas for 8 days without my husband and kids. Guess what, i didn’t miss them at all. And when i came home, life was much better.
I am single woman pushing 40 with no kids-yes it is sweet! As I watch most of my friends with their young kids, I am very impressed with their abilities to be great parents. Both the moms and the dads are doing the best they can. Why is it so hard for them to take a little break together or separate? I can understand if there is no family or friends who can take the kiddo’s. But in most cases it seems to me that the moms just cant let go. Please go on a weekend get away! I remember who you use to be as a individual- do you? You all work so hard taking care of others, now go take care of yourselves! Everyone benefits including the kids. Let them have some experiences with out your influence.