{"id":22315,"date":"2018-09-10T15:45:41","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T20:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/?p=22315"},"modified":"2018-09-10T15:45:41","modified_gmt":"2018-09-10T20:45:41","slug":"momcations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/articles\/topics\/parenting\/essentials\/mothers\/momcations\/","title":{"rendered":"Yes, Momcations are a Thing"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

I Need a Momcation!<\/p>\n

My job could be described as a combination of teacher, chef, event planner, chauffeur, housekeeper, entertainer, nurse\u2014and the catch-all: additional duties as assigned. Oh yeah, and my boss wakes me up every morning by 6 a.m.<\/p>\n

What am I? You guessed it, I\u2019m a mom. And I love it.<\/p>\n

Though stewarding two little hearts is a tremendous privilege, the hours of my job are grueling (hello, newborn stage!). The role requires mental endurance (Have you attempted fifth-grade math homework lately?), loads of patience (two words: potty training), and to give all that\u2019s in me. Every day. It\u2019s one-hundred percent worth it, but it\u2019s nonstop.<\/p>\n

Does it have to be nonstop, though? Recently Good Morning America spoke<\/a> to moms who answered that question with a firm \u201cno.\u201d These mothers are advocates for \u201cmomcations,\u201d kid-free trips either alone or with girlfriends. This is an idea I can get behind.<\/p>\n

While my overnight jaunts away from my daughters have mostly been for work (Oh yes, I actually do have another boss), I can vouch for how energizing a change of pace can be. Even if the food I\u2019m eating is from a generic banquet buffet at a conference, sitting through an entire meal without being asked to clean up a spill or cut someone\u2019s chicken feels luxurious. Knowing I\u2019m not in charge of making any decisions related to my girls while I\u2019m gone can be quite freeing, too. I choose to breathe easier, trusting that their dad, grandma, or someone from our village is handling all things kid-related while I\u2019m gone.<\/p>\n

If my business trips take that much pressure off of me, I can only imagine what a momcation could do for my mind, body, and soul! Thankfully, my husband and I do take turns spending evenings with our girls so that one of us can enjoy dinner out with friends. When it\u2019s my turn to go out, I come home (usually by 10 p.m. because remember, my first boss of the day is an early bird) smiling, feeling confident and content. I bet I\u2019d feel those emotions plus rested if I were to extend my nights out into an overnight momcation. I\u2019d also be very excited to see my girls at the end of the trip. Distance, time, and the ability to shut off the \u201cmom wheels\u201d that turn constantly in our heads have a way of reminding us why and how much we love those little people who exhaust us.<\/p>\n

Momcations don\u2019t have to be extravagant, 10-day Mediterranean cruises. Mom tribes can head to a local Airbnb or even camp for a weekend, if that\u2019s their thing. The point is to intentionally step away from the normal routine and give ourselves permission to breathe\u2014to simply exist.<\/p>\n

Rest is biblical. God rested, and He asks us to do the same. Now, I don\u2019t think He\u2019s asking us to take a weekly momcation, so let\u2019s not get ahead of ourselves! But Scripture does tell us in Psalm 46:10 to \u201cBe still, and know that I am God.\u201d Not much about regular #momlife can be described as \u201cstill,\u201d so we have to purposely pursue rest. A momcation is one (of many) means to that end.<\/p>\n

As the saying goes, you can\u2019t pour from an empty cup. Taking time to explore, rest, play, and nurture relationships outside of the ones in our home is important if we want to be our best selves for our family.<\/p>\n

\n

Copyright \u00a9 2018 by FamilyLife. All rights reserved.<\/em><\/p>\n

You may also enjoy A Sabbath for Mommy<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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