Setting the Mommy reset button

Twice a year, I leave my wonderful son and husband and go to a rented beach house with a group of friends. We scrapbook, we drink wine, we eat great food (oh, so much food) and we take a break from being Moms. For a couple of days we are not defined by our jobs or our marriage status or the number of children we have: We are just women.

And these trips have taught me several things:

1. Being away for a few days is enough time for me to reset myself. And when I return, I am able to be a better mother.
2. I'm also a better wife. I have new things to talk to my husband about and I can focus on him more when I feel refreshed.
3. Dads are as capable as we allow them to be. There are two schools of thought that take place on these weekends: Some ladies will walk their other halves through the morning routines; others will have a hands off, "he can figure it out" attitude. Both have the same result: The children are where they need to be and usually addressed appropriately.
4. Someone always dodges a sickness bullet. I can't think of a single trip where someone didn't get a call about a virus at home. There is always a sense of relief that for once, Mom won't get sick, too.
5. Mom magic. I always glean some little insight from these trips from the women who have children older than my sons. They are passing on their wisdom with every funny story they tell me, and I am soaking it all up.

Don't feel bad for my husband - he frequently goes on motorcycle trips when he wants some time away. He can ride his bike, spend time outside exploring beautiful areas and when he returns after a few days, I feel more appreciated by him.

So, take a few days away for yourself - everybody wins.

When's the last time you took a trip by yourself? Where did you go and how did you feel when you returned to your routine at home?