Missing My Kids Isn’t Enough to Keep Me From Going Out

home insemination Kit

Updated: Dec. 1, 2016

Originally Published: Sep. 25, 2016

Let’s be real: when I take a break from my kids, I miss them like crazy. I’ve lost sleep over it, had anxiety attacks, and even felt nauseous at the thought of leaving them behind. Friends have told me to relax, cut the cord, and that it’s not normal to feel this way just because I’m off for a weekend. Maybe they’re right. But you know what? I still go.

The first time I left my eldest, Max, for the weekend, he was just 10 months old. I might’ve been a tad dramatic, asking my husband to take him out first so I wouldn’t feel guilty. Sitting in my car, I was on the verge of losing my lunch. But once I got there, my weekend turned out to be a blast! We shopped until we couldn’t feel our feet, indulged in McDonald’s fries while getting pedicures, and laughed until we cried over good old college memories while devouring double scoops of ice cream.

Fast forward to when my youngest, Lucy, was 6 months old. I was on another weekend getaway with my bestie when we ended up at a crowded outdoor restaurant. We shared a table with two lively ladies in their 60s who had been best friends for decades. They shared how they rarely got to leave home for fun when their kids were young, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for my time away. It was a reminder that life doesn’t stop just because you have kids.

Here’s why I keep heading out despite the guilt:

1. I deserve it. Yes, I miss my kids, but I miss my friend too. Those weekends away are precious, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
2. It’s worth it. The effort it takes to plan a getaway is huge, but it pays off. Sure, I come home to a mess, but I also come back refreshed and recharged.
3. It benefits the family. When I return, my kids appreciate me more, and it’s essential for them to bond with their dad or whoever’s looking after them. Plus, it shows them that I have a life outside of being their mom.
4. My husband supports it. He notices a change in me after I’ve had my time away. I’m much more fun when I’ve had a break!
5. I want a little independence. I don’t want to be the mom who’s tethered to her kids 24/7. They need to learn to get along without me, and I need to experience life outside of the mom bubble.

I still get that familiar anxiety when I leave, but now it’s more about the thrill of shopping without kids or savoring meals without sharing. It’s a mini-vacation from the chaos of motherhood, and when I finally walk through that door, ready to embrace my kids, I mean every hug and kiss because I’ve had the chance to remember why I love this wild ride of family life.

For more insights on parenting and family life, check out other posts like this one and visit Make A Mom’s site for expert advice on boosting fertility. You can also check out March of Dimes for great resources on pregnancy and home insemination.

Summary:

Leaving my kids for a weekend may be tough, but it’s essential for my well-being and the health of my family. Balancing my needs with motherhood helps me recharge and strengthens our family unit. Embracing time away allows me to return as a happier, more present mom.