Time away is so important for a mom! It’s when you recharge, see things more clearly and pamper yourself! This past weekend I was away on a women’s retreat with my church. I drove down and roomed with a good friend for the weekend. It was an amazing time of renewal!
The weekend was filled with yummy food, great conversation, many thought provoking messages, free time to pamper yourself as needed (Sandy and I shopped and got pedicures…what a surprise, right?) and most importantly, time to think without the interruption of “MOOOOMMMMMMY!” being called out every few minutes. One of the moms only gave her husband the emergency number to the facility and turned off her cell phone for the entire weekend! Talk about distraction free!
It’s not that we don’t love being with our families. We do. When you are a mom, you are so busy taking care of everyone else that you can get lost in the mundane chores and routine of the days. It’s healthy to take a step back and get a better perspective of what’s really going on in your life. It’s a wonderful practice to get away and just concern yourself with taking care of you. It is wonderful to share in the hurts and joys of other women as it takes the focus off of yourself and your life for a while (No, life is not all about your little corner of the world and that is easy to forget too, I think). I highly encourage you to gather with a group of your friends, church members, moms group acquaintances and escape if just for a day. Go overnight if you can- it’s a nice change to not have to do the bedtime routine with the kiddos.
If you take the time to clear your mind, feed your soul and pamper your body you will be a happier mommy! Trust me, it’s a wonderful feeling to come home to your family after you’ve been away. There is a new appreciation and fondness, even if only for a few minutes until they are asking, “What’s for dinner?”.
My kids made me a crown that says “Princess Mom”. The theme of our retreat was “Daughters of the King” and I was on the Sleeping Beauty team during the team competitions (We won! Yeah Sleeping Beauty Team- you rock!). Now, how sweet is that? I will treasure that crown for the rest of my life and use it as a reminder to take time, even if it’s just 15 minutes until my next getaway, to be still, reflect and get a clearer perspective on what’s what in my life.
(Please excuse my dirty kids! I was away, remember? lol)
This week I encourage you to plan a time away. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You could go to a local hotel, have a good-old-fashioned sleep over at a girlfriend’s house or be a jet-setter if you really want to go far! Don’t give into the excuse that it’s just too much planning with childcare, meal planning, etc. Your family will survive without you. Your husband may not do it the way that you would but that it is OK! The kids might eat too much fast food, stay up too late or go to bed dirty. It’s OK! (Just don’t ask if you are afraid of the answer!) Get the calendar out now! Call up your friends and make some plans.
Leave me a comment and tell me about your retreat! It’s so healthy to share our experiences with others and I love to hear what you have to say!
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Fun!! Sounds like a great time!
Even though I don’t have kids yet, I still need to just get away with the girls. We have an annual girls weekend and stay in a different place every year! We all live so far away, that is so nice to have that one time of the year to relax and catch up!
I’m so glad you had fun Tammy! You so needed it with your busy life! ;0)
Hey Tammy,
What a great site! I am so glad that I got to visit with you this weekend. The retreat was awesome and I so agree with your sentiments! I’ll be doing a series next week on the retreat at my blog at Inland Empire Magazine. All moms need to get away and rest, the hardest part is getting back into the “swing” of it all…..I’ve got your site bookmarked now!
I don’t have kids, but many of my friends do. There are two special getaways that we plan for girls only.
(1) A night in San Francisco. Living in the Bay Area, its a short drive to the City. Once a year, my girlfriends and I rent a hotel room and spend one night and two full days shopping, sightseeing, drinking cocktails and eating in the City.
(2) Hiking Half Dome. Once a year, a friend lets us use her house near Yosemite. We have between 15-20 girlfriends who meet at her house each year, have a big pasta dinner together, catch up, watch movies, and then wake up early the next morning to hike Half Dome. We get back exhausted, but feeling fit and accomplished. There’s always great stories – who made it to the top, whose going to do it next year. It really a lot of fun.
I’ve been lurking on your blog for about a month now and I love it! I’m a working mom with an 18-month-old, getting ready to start trying for 2nd one. Today’s post is awesome and you are so right, we have to get away and let our husbands do things…even if they are not the way we would! Thanks for the inspiration…you read my mind with your thoughts!
Shefali,
Yes, moms need to learn to let go of the control of running the household and caring for the kids once in a while! Not only will the kid’s appreciate that you return but so will your husband! When mom is happy, the family is happy 
I’m glad to have you comment. Thanks for hanging around
Cute pic! I love the crown!
OMG, Tammy, you are absolutely right on the money! Since I’ve had my son (17 mos. ago) I have been away from home alone exactly once. It was a wonderful experience for all of us. My writer’s group (me and 3 other lovely, creative women) went to an historic inn about an hour away from town (but felt much further away) and we did some great writing exercises, talked, drank delicious wine and ate lots of great food (and also had some celebrity sightings)! We even got some snow, and fantasized about being snowed in for one more day. I came home rejuvenated, refreshed and fulfilled! We’re planning our next retreat in June, this time at the beach. I can’t wait!
Michele, that sounds FABulous! I’m glad you are planning another! June will be here soon
I couldn’t agree more! We moms have to take care of ourselves, inside and out, to be the best moms we can be.
I love your site and would like to link to you on my blog. I am also celebrating my 100th post with a giveaway drawing…I’m giving away sterling silver and turquoise earrings. If anyone wants to check it out and enter, stop by Blue Mango Creations.blogspot.
Amen sister!
I just got home from a cruise away from Mommyhood, and I came home feeling reenergized and rested, with the ability to handle the day to day crazyness with patience. (we’ll see how long it lasts
Amber and Amanda thanks for reaching out! It’s so great to hear about moms taking care of themselves!
I’m so happy to see so many comments. I think the topic has struck a cord of truth! Live it Mamas! Get some serious R&R! You deserve it!