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Yes, You Should Get Away!

By Lisa Gofberg May 12, 2015
I think every mom has said, "I need a break" at least once since becoming a mom. But how many of us actually do it? Do you give yourself a break? Sure, maybe a dinner out with friends or a solo trip to Target but what about a vacation just for you?

I was curious to see just how many moms actually do take time for themselves so I asked around. The responses varied from the Not Yets to the You Bets!

Not Yet!
- "No, I have never been away from my son overnight."
- "I think if I went away for a weekend, I would spend the whole time missing my family."
- "I think it sounds amazing but dreaming and doing are two different things. I just haven't made it happen yet."

You Bet!
- "Every year. I meet up with my favorite girls and spend a weekend full of spa, sun, yoga and lots of wine."
- "I do. I love it. I wish I did it more."
- "I go to the desert twice a year for a little down time. All. By. Myself."

So as you can see, moms are all over the board when it comes to their views on this. Is it okay to leave the kids overnight? Will you miss them while you are gone? Should you do it? The answer to all of these is YES!

Here's why getaways are important for moms:

1. Moms need a break. And yes, while dinner with friends is a necessity, we need time to recharge. Sleep in. Take a nap in the sun. Do yoga. Read that book you NEVER seem to have time to read. NOT cook. You get the idea.

2. Time for you is good for all. Giving yourself a chance to recharge allows you to come back refreshed and be more invested and present in your other relationships - with your kids, with your spouse with your co-workers, etc.

3. Friendships are key. You need them, yet it's easy to let them fall low on your priority list. We can be raw with our girlfriends - laugh, cry, be silly, be serious - in a way we can't be with our families. Your girlfriends can relate to your daily stresses, commiserate and even talk you through it to help find a solution.

4. Explore the world. It could be a place on your bucket list or you could be a tourist in your own town. It doesn't matter. You deserve to explore, learn and discover. (And let's face it, some destinations are just more fun kid-free.)

5. They will survive. That's right. Your family will survive. Your spouse can handle it. Your kids will enjoy it. Yes, your family would be lost without you if you went on your trip and never came back, but they can manage while you take time for yourself. In fact, you will probably be surprised at how well your house runs without you.

6. Even professionals say you should! Anne Lee, M.S., L.M.F.T., a licensed marriage and family counselor in Westlake Village, Calif., states that time "with girlfriends who are emotionally safe to be with allows the landscape of a woman's True Self to come untucked and be gratefully reveled. She can exhale a deep breath and say 'This is who I am - my whirling dervish but multi-faceted mind, my lumpy but tenacious body, my albatross of emotions I carry for others, and my weary but eager God-given spirit!' And then somebody toasts to All Of Her and passes her the last forkful of dessert!" See? It's just what you need!

7. Show your crazy side. Let loose. Enjoy. And remember, what happens with girlfriends, stays with girlfriends.

We know - your family comes first and it always will. You are the glue that keeps your family going. Us moms are always juggling a lot. Which is exactly why you need to plan your getaway today!