My 4 Favorite Kid-Free Activities
At this point, I've been a mom for 4+ years. I'm by no means a vet, but I'm pretty well versed in going about life with a miniature sidekick along for the ride. And as great as that can be, the truth is we all need a break from our kids from time to time. Motherhood in and of itself is such a selfless endeavor, always putting the mind, body and spirit of another ahead of your own wants, needs and desires. As rewarding as it is, its completely exhausting. If you're not regularly filling your cup with some kind of self care, it eventually runs empty, and the last thing anyone can afford is burnout. When I need a quick "mommy break" (does that unicorn really even exist?) and need to do something sans kids, these are my go to methods for refilling my cup.
Grocery Shopping
I never knew how much I loved grocery shopping until the 1st time I did it kid-free. Going through the aisles without anyone asking for everything or picking up all the things with a cartoon on it is...well it's a few steps shy of being heaven on Earth, quite frankly.
Driving at Night
I remember the 1st time I drove at night without anyone in the car after becoming a mom. I was horrified at how dark it gets at night, but I was so excited simply because it meant that I was doing something completely for me that I hadn't done in a long time.
Watch Marvel Movies
Listen...there are some things that are absolutely sacred to me. Some things I'd just about give up my left hand (overdramatic much?) for; one of those things is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Rule #1: All Marvel movies are to be experienced in the theater, preferably in IMAX 3D if bank accounts can sustain such abuse.
Rule #2: Neither my husband nor I can see a new Marvel movie without the other. Neither one of us wants those problems.
Rule #3: NO KIDS ALLOWED. Just taking Jordan to the drive in movie was enough for me to know that potty breaks, 14 million questions about why something is happening on screen, him telling me that they shouldn't be using bad words, and the potential fear from the loud sounds is not what I want in my life while I'm trying to watch Black Panther chase Bucky down a freeway! Some moms have spa days; I have Marvel movies. And speaking of Black Panther, I'm already booking my babysitter for February 16th. This is NOT a game.
Sleeping Past 5a & Still Completing My To Do List
This is reserved for Jordan's overnight trips to my in-laws. I remember a time when 7am was the butt crack of dawn. Now, if I don't get up by 5:10am at the absolute latest, I'm light years behind. My husband and I have 1 day per week where we each get to sleep in, which, for me, means waking up at 7a to work and not leaving my bed until 8:30a. It's actually heaven. I can't tell you how excited I am to go to bed the night before my sleep in day. It's in the top 5 happiest moments of my week.
It doesn't take much to fill that cup, mama. In the process of teaching, disciplining, loving, comforting, growing, and encouraging, don't forget to give some of that love to yourself. You'll be a greater mom for it.