Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thankful for... Time Away
I love my kids. I am proud of my mothering (most of the time- hey, we all have our "less than" moments).
But sometimes, I need a break.
Jeff and I are immensely grateful to have Christy and to have Jeff's folks here so that we can take a night out from time to time. We don't do it often. But when we do, it's definitely needed. There is no better peace of mind than knowing that my kids are not only being well cared for by someone I completely trust, but that they are having an insanely good time, too.
And sometimes, a single evening out just isn't enough.
After Thanksgiving dinner... when bellies are full and kids are playing football in the yard and grown ups are in a tryptofan coma...
We will drive back home, leaving our children at Grandma's house.
Yes, we will miss them. They will miss us. There might even be tears- on both sides. But the kids need that time with my parents and my brothers. And my husband and I need time for just the two of us.
We'll have Friday to enjoy time at home- Jeff might go hit some Black Friday sales. I'll hopefully get some cleaning done to make room for the Christmas tree that we plan to assemble and decorate over the weekend.
Friday night, Jeff and I have a special date night planned.
Saturday morning, Christy and I will drive over to Cincinnati and make a visit to Jungle Jim's. Then pick up the kids and bring them home. Then we celebrate Thanksgiving with Jeff's family on Sunday afternoon.
I'm thankful for people in my life who can give Jeff and I a little break. I'm thankful to have friends and family who love us and support us and understand that time away makes us better parents.
I'm thankful for time away to make the time together even better.
12 comments:
Speaking as a grandmother here, I can tell you that the people in your life who are enjoying their time with your children are very fortunate to have your appreciation. Have a great time you two.
You're so lucky! And your kids are lucky to have grandparents who look forward to these times. I need to move to another city in order to get my mother to take the kids. We leave within fifteen minutes from her, and I think she thinks the proximity exempts her from grandmother detail!
Good for you! Time away is *so* important. I know it always makes such a huge difference for Allen and I. Enjoy your time with Jeff. :-)
Travis and I are here,too, if you ever need us. :o)
Maybe you can forget to pickup the kids for a week?
great plan!
have a wonderful time, Liz!
You are very fortunate indeed. And those times apart from the kiddos will not only help in the Jeff and Liz marital unit area, but also in the overall happy family unit. I suggest you use your caregivers and these times as often as you get the chance. Because they are so, so important. And one need never feel guilty or selfish about them either. For they are for the gooder good of everything and everyone. Have an awesome time!
When I was pregnant with my first, my supervisor offered me his most important child-rearing advice. He said it was only one thing. Seeing as how he had raised 2 boys that turned into fine gentlemen and that he had a wonderful marriage of nearly 30 years at that time, I thought he probably had some good advice to give.
He said the most important thing you can do as a parent is spend at least one weekend a year away from your kids. It seemed like the weirdest advice at the time, but now I totally get it. Like you, we're blessed to have grandparents nearby who are always willing to lend a hand. Not only do we get date nights, but at least once a year we manage to slip away somewhere, just the two of us. It makes us better parents, as we always return renewed and ready to parent with purpose. Most importantly, it makes us better partners. We get the time we need to reconnect with each other and remember why we fell in love in the first place.
Happy Thanksgiving, enjoy your weekend and have fun at Jungle Jim's! One of my most favorite stores in the world!
Angie thanks for sharing that advice :) Our kids are 4 & 2 so we haven't done the weekend away yet :)
Have a great time Liz :)
You need your "me" time! Have fun!
I almost didn't click on the title to read today's post, out of jealousy! I don't have any time off this week from work, and my parents are driving up for the holiday. But, I am glad that you are truly thankful for what you do have...enjoy it twice for me! ;)
You said a mouthful! We're going to have our time away this Friday night---going to stay at a fancy hotel in downtown LA and go to the symphony!
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