When I got married, and then again when I had a child, one of the best pieces of advice I received was to get away from your family occasionally. I know this might not be good for some people, but it's been wonderful for me.
I take small weekend trips without Appa. I have awesome girls' weekends with my best friend (or sisters) where we gorge ourselves on book chatting and licorice. I come home with a stronger relationships and an absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder appreciation for my favorite man.
And now that I am a mom, I still take time away from that life to refocus on me for a bit. Usually this comes in the form of a hotel stay 20 minutes away with other mamas. We stay up late giggling and crying about life. We support each other. We revel in the break from diapers and potties and sippy cups....even if our conversations are dominated by them.
And when I come home, it's not with a pang of regret that I'm going back to responsibility; it's with a joyful heart that I am SO lucky to have my family AND my friends. I love on my baby like I haven't seen him for a month.
These mini me-breaks allow me to focus. I'm at my best as a wife and mother when I am balanced. Balance, for me, sometimes comes with a reset button that only "me time" can provide.
So when people ask me for advice on motherhood or marriage, my go-to advice is simply this: "Get the hell outta there sometimes." It makes all the time you are there so much better!
And, for the record, I firmly believe my son might have grown in the 18 hours I was away from him this weekend.
Oh my goodness, I thought X grew too! He looked and sounded different. What?!?! We weren't gone that long.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what you say in this post is so true. It really is important to get away and take time for yourself. I was SO HAPPY when I got home. I was a better wife and mother and it's because I was able to have a little break and refresh. I'm so glad you were part of my break. I love ya!
Absence makes the heart grow fonder right? Even though we were only gone for a short time, it really does make you appreciate what you have. I was SO excited to see the kiddos on Sunday, but found myself laughing randomly when I thought about something that was said over Sat. So happy to have a great friend like you!
ReplyDeletei was so happy to hear "mummy, mummy" when i got home on sunday. taking short breaks keeps me sane and does make my heart miss my boys. it's wonderful to come back home :)! and of course, i can't wait to do it again!
ReplyDeleteSo true!! Gabe and I are having a great day today and I KNOW it's because of this weekend. We missed each other and are both appreciating other more today.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I have you and this group who really put a priority on this friendship and who I feel sooo comfortable with even if they were born in the 80's :)
JEA-LOUS. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think you are so right Cori. Wish I had been there with you ladies. I was with you in spirit (like CCL)!
ReplyDelete