Vacation Time: Why I Take a Girls Trip Every Year

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vacationI just got back from a four day beach vacation with two of my girlfriends and boy was it amazing. We spent the day lazing (is that a real word?) around on the beach, drinking mudslides, and reading. It was quiet. Like, really quiet. And while I missed my husband and daughter so very much, I returned home so much more rested and ready to take on the challenges of mommyhood. If you haven’t considered a getaway, these are the reasons you MUST go!

Time to Recharge:

I don’t know about you, but there isn’t much down time when you are a mom. I find myself needing to actually leave the house if I want to get some downtime. We all know how that ends up. Downtime turns into running errands and getting grocery shopping done without your little ones hanging onto you. Sometimes it even ends up as time at a coffee shop working with your laptop and a latte. When you are away for more than just an hour or two, you actually have time to relax. There are no errands to run, no work to “catch up” on, and no looking at your watch. Even if it’s just for a night, you will feel the difference when you actually take the time to relax.

Time for vacation
Time for vacation

Our Job is Hard:

Sometimes I am amazed at how much work it is to raise a child AND complete all of my daily chores. No, the laundry does NOT do itself. When my hubby is alone for a few hours while I am at work or running errands, he typically just takes care of our daughter and leaves the rest for me when I get home (ARGH). Dishes will be left in the sink, toys remain on the floor, and laundry does not seem to get put away. When I am on a trip, he is forced to load and unload the dishwasher, keep track of toys and laundry, and supervise my daughter. Don’t get me wrong, my hubby is very hands-on, but when he has the full responsibility of taking care of my daughter and the household, he really does appreciate all that I do.

Appreciating What I Have:

I will be the first to admit that there are days when I doubt my competence as a mom and wife. Did I just leave my keys in the refrigerator? Taking a little break from the crazy pace allows me to appreciate all of the great things about my life. When I complained about never sleeping in, my vacation allowed me to remember the morning snuggles I was missing. While splashing around in the warm ocean, my vacation allowed me to reminisce over our summer days at the pool and beach. When I was dining in a fancy restaurant, I smiled thinking about our at-home pizza parties in our sweats and PJ’s. I found myself excited to return home to our messy, hectic, and exhausting life because it’s ours.

Taking some time away is such a great way to put things into perspective. I got the opportunity to get some much needed rest and quiet time and my husband got some quality bonding time with our daughter. Most of all, we were able to recognize the wonderful things about one another and about our life together. If you’re thinking about taking a trip, don’t hesitate!  It may be one of the best things that you can do for yourself and for your family.

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