Two weeks ago, I was frustrated by everything and I knew I was close to losing it. To top it off, my graduate classes started on Monday, so I had been going back and forth about whether or not I would try to get away, during my last free weekend for a while.
Well, my husband took one look at my mood and booked the hotel room for me so I couldn’t back out and waffle on whether or not I wanted to go.
I packed a quick bag, kissed the tops of my kids’ heads, and pried their little arms from my legs and went out the door. I got in the car and immediately felt weird. Like, when was the last time I got in the driver’s seat without first fussing at the kids to get in their seats? I put on my Beyonce CD (that has been on repeat since it dropped two months ago) and cruised first to the movies.
I saw The Help with my sister. Great movie, great message and I almost felt “normal.” But then I had an allergy attack and walked out of the theater with tomato-red eyes and what felt like the beginning of a sty on my upper eyelid. It was like my body didn’t know what to do with me being so far away from my house!
We then hit up Cheesecake Factory where she proceeded to tell me all about her new boyfriend (aww) and I dove face first into a plate of New Orleans shrimp. (Yum.)
After a couple other stops, I finally made it to the hotel room, where I promptly put my pajamas on, found a good movie on TBS, and watched it ’til I passed out.
It was nice. Great, actually. I was able to:
1) watch a movie with a message, without having to miss parts because someone (read: my kid) had to go to the bathroom, or they were bored or wanted my attention.
2) eat my food without my son begging for a piece and without my daughter complaining about what she will and will not eat.
3) sleep without waking up at 3 a.m. to get a kid a glass of water, or to assure them (for the 40th time) that there are no monsters.
I was just able to be”...me. For 22 hours, I was just”...me. And it felt so good.
I should really plan to have one of these getaways at least once a year. Last time I went away was when I was four months pregnant with my son.
He is now 3.
The mental break is priceless. Priceless. And I’m sure it’s going to make me a better mom during the stressful weeks to come.
How often do you get to escape from it all and just recharge your batteries? Do you make it a priority or does indulgent self-care fall low on the list?
Lamar says
Sounds like a great break. Props to your husband for making it happen.
Gods_Man says
I have tried to schedule these for my bride but I have only successfully gotten her to go once or twice. She feels guilty taking time for herself.
adrienne says
I LOVE this. I’m a SAHM and sometimes it IS hard to get away but I try to always make time for myself. In 90 days I am going AWAY without the kids and the husband and I will have very little communication with them. I’m gonna pray over them and go have a good time lol
Briana Myricks says
How awesome that your hubby came to the rescue. When mine sees me stressed out, he always closes the MacBook (since most of my stress is usually visible on the computer). Today he told me turn off the computer and brought me my favorites (pickle spears and Cactus Cooler, meant more than anyone will ever know). We need breaks from trying to be SuperWoman.
Blue says
I always dream of doing that didn’t know I could actually do it.
Keesha says
First, I want to give BIG PROPS to your husband for “handling that” for you. That was BIG, and very loving of him. In the last 10 years I can say that me and the hubby have gotten away only twice. The key phrase here is “me and my hubby”. We just took a MUCH NEEDED cruise, without the kids last month, and it was WONDERFUL. However…
I LONG LONG LONG to spend some real quality time with my girlfriends, or even alone. I value the “couple time” dearly, but is it wrong to want a vacation/weekend/ or just time ALONE, or with MY friends. I have been blessed to have friends that have been in my life for 20yrs plus, and there’s no question regarding these relationships, we are ALL going through the same feelings of missing each other, and want to schedule SOMETHING QUICK!! Is that wrong? Don’t we need and deserve to whoo-sah?? Some groups of women do a girls night every month….we just want a 4day don’t call me mommy weekend!! Wanna come?? Will we come home to “Baby, we missed you, did you have a good time?” Or a family with rocks in their jaws, house a mess, with laundry everywhere making us want to turn right back around??
Inquiring Mind says
Kudos to your spouse for know when the pressure cooker is boiling over. I would like to know from someone/anyone, I always hear women/wives talk about how they need a break, “me time”, time away, etc. Does this also apply for men/husbands who also have the burdens and pressures from work/stress etc. I would love to take a vacation with my boys (several of them do it all the time) but would this be looked at sideways simply because friendships among guys are viewed different than with women. My wife always talk about how she wants to spend more time with her friends etc, and I’d like to do the same, but she says it’s different for men than women, WHY? If I wanted to take a weekend with the fellas to do something, would it be viewed as “I don’t get to do it, so why do you” or would it be “you work hard, you take care of us, you deserve it. I just feel that when it come to spending time alone, me time, etc, it’s viewed as a one way street. Is it beause we are men and should be able to handle the everyday pressures? Inquiring minds would like to know?
Just Being Me says
I personally LOVE to see brothers fellowship, and have a good time. I encourage a my husband to go have a good time with his boys. Guess what, we don’t even have a gaming system in my house (even though he wants one), because I feel like that’s the only time he’ll go and “kick it” . They get together at one of the boys homes about once a month to play the game, and I love to see him go. My main concern there, is the drinking and driving. So I say my “be responsible” speech, and send him on his way. If he got a system, I think he’d stop doing that.
I think couples should plan (key word being plan) time with friends as well as each other. I think trust has a lot to do with it. If you don’t like his/her boys or girls, then here comes the drama. I trust my man with what ever doggish friend he may choose to be with (even though his boys are aiight..lol)….because I trust HIM….
I got the home front while you’re gone, just please do the same for me. Send me off with a genuine smile and insist that I enjoy myself, and I’ll do the same. Don’t look so unsure and insecure when I leave…the kids won’t kill you…AND…..I’ll be back!
Inquiring Mind says
Kudos to your spouse for know when the pressure cooker is boiling over. I would like to know from someone/anyone, I always hear women/wives talk about how they need a break, “me time”, time away, etc. Does this also apply for men/husbands who also have the burdens and pressures from work/stress etc. I would love to take a vacation with my boys (several of them do it all the time) but would this be looked at sideways simply because friendships among guys are viewed different than with women. My wife always talk about how she wants to spend more time with her friends etc, and I’d like to do the same, but she says it’s different for men than women, WHY? If I wanted to take a weekend with the fellas to do something, would it be viewed as “I don’t get to do it, so why do you” or would it be “you work hard, you take care of us, you deserve it. I just feel that when it come to spending time alone, me time, etc, it’s viewed as a one way street. Is it beause we are men and should be able to handle the everyday pressures? Inquiring minds would like to know?