This past weekend, I finally took the plunge and enjoyed a much-needed getaway. One of my closest friends is tying the knot soon, and I was thrilled to be a part of the bachelorette party. We found the cutest house fully stocked with everything we needed, and our agenda consisted of wine tastings, dancing, and, you guessed it, more wine tasting. It truly was a weekend made for dreams!
As I sipped my wine and shared laughter with friends, a few people asked if leaving my kids for a weekend was difficult. The short answer? Absolutely not! Long answer? I hadn’t spent a night away from my little one yet. Not for lack of wanting to—I mean, c’mon, someone take him for a night! He’s a complete mama’s boy, nursing until he was nearly a year old and he’d cry when I left for the store (which usually meant I was just grabbing more wine). Now at 16 months old, I realized it had been over two years since I had any real time to myself—two years since I’d been alone for longer than a couple of hours.
And let me tell you, that weekend was nothing short of incredible. I savored hot coffee, laughed until I cried, and connected with friends who knew me before I became a mom, as well as some fantastic new ladies who saw me for more than just “Mom.” I got ready without the usual chaos of kids piling into the bathroom, and for once, I chose an outfit without worrying about what I’d need to dress my children in.
I dined out without cutting chicken tenders or worrying about food arriving before someone had a meltdown. I danced to music that wasn’t just the latest pop hit and even surprised myself by remembering all the lyrics to NSYNC and Backstreet Boys songs from my teenage years.
I engaged in real conversations with adults without constant interruptions or muting my phone to avoid a toddler tantrum. I was able to breathe, enjoy silence, and think clearly. When it was time to head home, I was genuinely excited to see my kids and my amazing partner, who had held down the fort while I was away. I finally had the chance to miss them!
Listen up, mamas: there’s no trophy for being the most exhausted, stressed, or overwhelmed. So, take that vacation! Plan a girls’ weekend or a getaway with your partner. If the opportunity arises for a day, a night, or even just an hour of freedom, seize it! Dismiss the guilt that creeps in as you pull out of the driveway. Your kids will be just fine, and you’ll all benefit from the break.
And if your kids are anything like mine, they’ll run to you with hugs and kisses when you return, excitedly sharing everything they did while you were gone, but within an hour, they’ll be back to their usual antics, giving you all the more reason to dream about your next escape. For more on navigating life as a parent, check out this excellent resource.
In summary, don’t shy away from taking time for yourself, because you deserve it. The kids will thrive, and you’ll return refreshed and ready to tackle motherhood with a new perspective. And if you’re curious about home insemination techniques, you might find helpful insights at this link or check out this authority on the topic.