The mission: a night out.
The strategy: secure a reliable sitter (which is harder than most people think).
Mission accomplished: my man and I actually enjoyed a lovely evening out together, without children. It was the first time in, well, forever actually.
Good friends, great entertainment and awesome food made for a memorable evening we won’t soon forget. Though, I found myself thinking of the kids on and off all evening. Were they behaving? Did they eat their dinner? Were they missing us? Did they get to bed at a decent hour? I actually (really, really) missed the little boogers. I know—I have to get over the mommy guilt. Time and again I say this and people advise it. Still, I don’t know whether its because I’m with them practically 24/7 or if it’s because I’ve grown accustomed to having to pass on evenings out because of sitter cancellations in the past, but it’s difficult for me to not to think about them when we’re apart. I don’t ever feel out of mommy-mode.
People who’ve known me since I was young will likely be surprised by that. Heck, I used to travel alone, dine along, and go the movies alone, without a care in the world. I was never responsible for or to anyone until our first baby came along. I valued my “me” time. I took full advantage of my freedom. I thought I would always have freedom in this sense. I was in denial when I coaxed my husband into trying to get pregnant the first time. I felt ready for a baby. I told him we could still travel and have fun and it would be no problem with a baby. Well, it wasn’t, but you add two more babies to the mix and things get pricey and children get whiny and antsy and sometimes going out with everyone is more of a hassle than it’s worth. Don’t get me wrong, the zoo trips and circus visits are a blast. Still, you can’t enjoy a nice meal out at a fine-dining establishment while you are juggling sippy cups, chasing a toddler and convincing a picky preschooler to eat her food. It’s just not right. It’s not fair to the other diners and frankly it’s really expensive to feed those 3 extra mouths. *sigh* I digress.
The strategy: secure a reliable sitter (which is harder than most people think).
Mission accomplished: my man and I actually enjoyed a lovely evening out together, without children. It was the first time in, well, forever actually.
Good friends, great entertainment and awesome food made for a memorable evening we won’t soon forget. Though, I found myself thinking of the kids on and off all evening. Were they behaving? Did they eat their dinner? Were they missing us? Did they get to bed at a decent hour? I actually (really, really) missed the little boogers. I know—I have to get over the mommy guilt. Time and again I say this and people advise it. Still, I don’t know whether its because I’m with them practically 24/7 or if it’s because I’ve grown accustomed to having to pass on evenings out because of sitter cancellations in the past, but it’s difficult for me to not to think about them when we’re apart. I don’t ever feel out of mommy-mode.
People who’ve known me since I was young will likely be surprised by that. Heck, I used to travel alone, dine along, and go the movies alone, without a care in the world. I was never responsible for or to anyone until our first baby came along. I valued my “me” time. I took full advantage of my freedom. I thought I would always have freedom in this sense. I was in denial when I coaxed my husband into trying to get pregnant the first time. I felt ready for a baby. I told him we could still travel and have fun and it would be no problem with a baby. Well, it wasn’t, but you add two more babies to the mix and things get pricey and children get whiny and antsy and sometimes going out with everyone is more of a hassle than it’s worth. Don’t get me wrong, the zoo trips and circus visits are a blast. Still, you can’t enjoy a nice meal out at a fine-dining establishment while you are juggling sippy cups, chasing a toddler and convincing a picky preschooler to eat her food. It’s just not right. It’s not fair to the other diners and frankly it’s really expensive to feed those 3 extra mouths. *sigh* I digress.
This weekend was such a great time and allowed me that few hours to rejuvenate and reconnect with my friends and husband. I had forgotten how wonderful dinner and show could be and how it brings peace to the soul. Laughter truly is the best medicine. It cures whatever ails you. For me, as of late, it’s been stress with crazy family schedules, deadlines for various things, mountains of laundry and piles of dishes. Rejuvenated, I feel ready to take on my role at home again with a new zest. Don’t get me wrong, cleaning the bathroom still doesn’t look inviting.
So, if you are reading this, and haven’t done so lately, make sure to make sometime for you. Get out of the house; go out for the evening with your beloved. Have a blast and make it a night to remember because we all (moms especially) know how far and few between those nights can be.
Be good to yourself.
2 comments:
I'm looking forward to doing something like that!
Happy Anniversary again. I'm glad you had a good time. <3
couldnt agree more to everything you wrote! a sitter is so much harder to find then people think, im sorry i am not going to leave my child with someone off of craigs list. and its not the same dragging them all out. its fun to take an adventure every now and again but its more work then anything else. and boy does it start to add up.
good for you two having some couple time!
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