We moms are forever hearing the phrase, “You need to take care of yourself so you can take good care of your kids”. You know what? It’s true. Duh, you’re thinking, I know. But it’s not always easy to take care of ourselves. I breast fed for a long time so I didn’t go away until they were two, and I took a pump along to relieve my breasts. That first weekend away was to a Multiple Births Canada conference, so in a way it was still about them.
I think I’m up to about 6 weekends away now. In four and a half years. Only one of them was with my husband, and our eldest daughter (my step-daughter) was with us. I’m not complaining, just thinking that I should have done it more often and earlier.
I’m thinking this because I’ve just had two amazing weekends to myself. The first was last weekend, a fabulous girls weekend at the cottage. I sat on the dock. All. Day. I read a little, talked and listened a lot. And laughed. It was so invigorating.
This weekend that just passed was another all adult weekend (thanks Mom). Another party, this time I went back to the 90s on Eagle Lake. Another great Hot Tub Time Machine Weekend. The Flux Capacitor took us all back to the heady days of our 20s. And it was fun. Really. Really fun.
I went home to me kids yesterday afternoon and I felt refreshed. A little more patient. I snuggled with them as they went to sleep and didn’t resent it (don’t worry, we’re still working on sleeping alone also).
Me time makes all the difference. And I’m getting better at it. Next up, meditation a yoga. For real this time. No more procrastinating.
How do you revitalize?
I have had 1 business trip away from my Missy Doodle in 2.5 yrs & it was only last May. (That was how she ended up getting weaned!) My Mom watched her for the 3 days I was gone because my hubby works nights & people would frown on a 2.5 yr old alone all night (LOL!).
You say you were at Eagle Lake – we used to go there when I was a teenager to a cottage. I loved the little towns (South River – my great-great grandfather was one of the original settlers there). We always had a day in North Bay where we got to go out for a “fancy dinner” at a restaurant. Aaaah the memories! It is a wonderfully relaxing area…..I think I need to take my Missy up there once she’s a bit older!
I also need to have some more “Me” time & am working on that, I just HATE to miss anything because she’s growing up SO fast!
I’m a mom to two sets of twins now aged 10 and 11 years old. Balance is difficult, don’t think I will ever find the answer on how to do this well. One night getaways with my husband (thanks to family support) are regenerating. It’s amazing how much better I am to myself and others after two days away from home. I love my boys incredibly but time away does help everyone in the end 🙂
being with friends, laughing, getting away, being away from my home, where my life, family and business is to a place where I can only do so much- as it forces me to relax! This is so great for you Erin- you have worked really hard for those twins- you need to give to yourself often and well. Motherhood is a marathon not a sprint!
How fabulous Erin! And necessary – you’re right!
Sean and I have been away 3 times in the 10+ years we’ve been parents. I have been away on 2 girls weekends (3 actually – once with UM at Blue Mountain!)
It was impossible to comfortably leave Cuyler with anyone when he was smaller and I would not leave Eva with anyone when she had all of her medical issues.
I definitely need more time away – my challenge comes from trying to schedule with everyone else…and money.
My girlfriends and I are going to make a valiant effort to leave the kids, dads and stress behind for a weekend to recharge our weary batteries.
Downtime with good friends makes for some serious healing. Hooray for you! I revitalize with a weekly coffee/tea/gab-fest with my girlfriends, and I do a solo 5 or 10k run a couple of times a week. It only works out to three or four hours altogether, but I’d be a total wreck without it.
love, love, love the tone of this!!!! You deserve and need weekends away! I revitalize at night…once he’s asleep – I just chill out…I used to have one night a week with a sitter but this has sort of fallen off the radar lately…must get it back!
You are soooooo right, lady. And I’m so happy you got to have TWO solo weekends IN A ROW!! A little breathing space or time away from the fam damily can really do wonders. I need to do more of that too – I had a solo weekend recently, and as terrific as it was, it was TOO DAMNED SHORT!
Since I don’t get a lot of solo time, I tend to be hugely protective of my evenings, once the children are asleep for the night. But, that’s hardly enough to really revitalize myself. Le sigh.