Recently I went away on a much anticipated weekend break.
I had been looking forward to it for months. As every parent knows, time without kids can be an exciting and tantalising prospect.
Thanks to my wonderful parents, I get the night off here and there. However, I reserve the big ask of offloading all three for consecutive nights for special occasions.
And a special occasion this was. It was my birthday weekend and my engines were flagging. I struggle to think why the last few months have seemed like hard slog, but they really have.
The big day arrived and I was off, with half the house packed and a smile the size of… a really big smile. If I were capable of clicking my heels I would have.
My getaway was everything I could have hoped for. There were sleep ins and lazy hours in the jacuzzi. There were long walks on the beach and I even read a book. A real one made of paper!
I didn’t have to think about entertaining anyone else, prepare any meals or provide toileting assistance. (It’s always a bonus when your traveling companion is house trained.)
So my wonderful weekend away did not disappoint.
However, the holiday hangover was a major downer. My expectation was to return to my brood, refreshed and reenergised. I thought I would be filled with renewed vigour, ready to fulfil the role of mother, nurturer and provider with gusto and grace.
I absolutely was not.
Within mere minutes of being reunited with my cherubs, and their whinging and nagging, I found myself yearning for the jacuzzi and the tranquillity of a childfree zone.
That’s not to say I didn’t miss the kids or wasn’t happy to see them. I just wasn’t feeling as recharged as I had hoped. It was like I had never left.
I’m not sure what the answer is, and I’m definitely not saying I’m quitting weekends away (sorry grandparents, you don’t get off that easily!)
Maybe it’s like when your phone battery gets old and worn out it starts to run flat much quicker. When you are so completely drained you obviously need more than just a 3 day recharge. Some sort of deep cycle charge is needed.
That’s it! Next time it needs to be a week away. Or maybe even a fortnight. A cruise I think…
Brace yourself, grandparents, the children are coming!
