I finally broke free this past weekend! One of my closest friends is tying the knot soon, and as a bridesmaid, I was thrilled to join in on the bachelorette party extravaganza. We stayed in a charming, fully stocked house, with our itinerary packed with wine tasting, dancing, and—surprise, surprise—more wine tasting. Honestly, it was the kind of weekend you dream about.
Between sipping wine and sharing laughter, a few friends asked me if it was tough to pack up and leave my kids for the weekend.
Short answer? Nope.
Long answer? I hadn’t left my youngest overnight yet. Not for lack of trying (someone please take him for a night!) but because he’s a total mama’s boy. He nursed until almost a year old and would cry when I stepped out for groceries (which is code for wine runs). Now that he’s 16 months old, I realized it had been over two years since I had any time to myself longer than a brief grocery trip or a dinner out with friends.
Two. Whole. Years.
And let me tell you, this getaway was unforgettable in all the right ways. I savored hot coffee, laughed until tears streamed down my face, and spent time with friends who knew me before motherhood. I even met some fantastic ladies who saw me as more than just a mom. I got ready without the chaos of kids trying to grab my outfit or worrying about someone getting burned in our cramped bathroom (seriously, why does everyone have to crowd in there?).
I dressed up for a dinner that didn’t involve cutting chicken nuggets or playing tic-tac-toe while praying that our food would arrive before a meltdown. I danced to music that wasn’t Taylor Swift and was pleasantly surprised to remember all the lyrics to those classic NSYNC and Backstreet Boys songs from my teenage years.
I had uninterrupted conversations with adults, free from constant interruptions or threats of time-outs. I got to breathe, sit in silence, and actually think. When it was time to head home, I was excited to see my kids and my wonderful husband (who was the real MVP for holding down the fort while I had my fun) because I finally had a chance to miss them.
Listen up, mamas: there’s no prize for being the most exhausted, the most frazzled, or the most likely to lose your mind (if there were, I would have won it by now). Take that trip. Go on the girls’ weekend. Plan an evening out with your partner. If you get the chance to escape for a day, a night, or even an hour, run—don’t walk—out that door. Forget about the mommy guilt that tries to creep in as you drive away. Your kids will be just fine, you’ll all survive, and everyone will come out better for it.
Just remember, if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll greet you with enthusiastic hugs and a flood of stories about what they did while you were away, only to return to their usual antics within the hour. This just gives you even more reason to start planning your next great escape!
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Summary
Taking a break from motherhood is essential for every mom, and a weekend getaway can recharge your spirit. Embrace the opportunity without guilt, and remember that your kids will be thrilled to see you when you return.