Why "getting away" feels like "escaping"
1 October 09
As I pack my little backpack for this weekend’s trip away, I feel a mixture of guilt and glee at the prospect of leaving the kids (and David!) at home while I go gallivanting to a friend’s house for a little visit.
In the four and half years since I’ve become a mother, I’ve enjoyed three weekends away sans enfants — each time with David, and each time a real blessing. I also had one extra week without the kids, but we used the time to renovate the bathroom, so that hardly counts as a holiday! This trip is going to be a bit different because I’m not taking anyone with me — it’ll just be pure, indulgent recreation!
I’m very comfortable with travelling with kids, and yet the prospect of being completely child-free makes me wonder 1) what discomforts I’ll endure because I won’t have anyone complaining that they’re hungry/bored/cold/tired/hot/need a wee/etc 2) what indulgences I’ll permit myself because I don’t have to set the example/uphold the high standards/be afraid of setting a precedent/etc.
I was telling David that I knew it wouldn’t be long before I’d be pining for my girls, and he said it would be what I made of it. So I think I’ll look forward to the break and not miss the kids (or David).
It’s an exciting adventure — being childless again. I’m going to embrace this opportunity. Who knows when it will happen again?
If I put Calista’s picture up here, I know I can stop by and moon over her whenever I get homesick.
Since becoming a mother, have you been away from your kids for more than a couple nights?
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1 · renee · 1 October 2009, 18:30
I hope David has given you permission to “enjoy yourself”.
2 · Cheryl · 1 October 2009, 23:56
wow..look at Cali’s eyes…they are as blue as the deep ocean. She is so beautiful!
3 · Beth · 2 October 2009, 07:42
Hey Lauren!
Just wanted to drop by and say…I hope you have a fabulously fun weekend and I love the new header on your blog…very cool!
4 · Rosy · 30 September 2010, 10:31
First I want to say I enjoy your blog! Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been a blesesd mama for 10 years and I’ve never been away from my 4 kids (ages 1-10). Things have never worked in favor of me being able to do that. I do miss my kiddos on the rare occation when I do get to be on my own, so I can foresee feeling guilty if I did spend more than just a couple of hours away from them (even then, I feel a sence of urgency to get home).
I would LOVE to be able to just sleep when I want, wake up when I want, shower when I want. Heck, eat when I want, what I want with out little monkeys picking at my food, LOL. I wonder though if once I actually get to do that if it would be as joyful as I expect it to be? I probably will still go to bed at 11:30pm and wake up all kinds of times during the night just because I would not be able to stop thinking of my angels sweetly slumbering at home. Then I would still wake up groggy at 6am, because no matter how much my body aches for rest my brain would be so used to chugging away at that time. Then would I even know what to do with myself by myself anymore?
Still, I do ask God to give me the chance to find out, and soon ;-).