What is the longest time you, as a mother, have gone without taking some time for yourself?

Question

I hear all these people saying they are going away, or taking time for themselves this weekend, and I am starting to get jealous! I havent gone anywhere by myself for time, or holiday, or even with hubby, in 7 years so far.. (and counting!). Are there more moms out there who dont take holidays? (Where are they all?!? lol) Or is taking time away from the fam the 'norm'?

I am very happy doing it, it was what I bargained for, and I also dont use babysitters, and homeschool! So we are very busy, but I do enjoy waking up earlier than everyone else to get some time alone to do some housework. I NEVER thought I would say this, but even housework, being monotonous, is enjoyable, since it's all a labor of love, and I'm alone while I do it!

I really cant choose a best answer for this question, everyone deserves it!
But the shower comment really made me laugh!!

Kudos to all!

Answer 1

I have no idea where they are. I am a single mom of 2 and my kids never go to see him. I have no family support. If my daughter goes for a sleepover, I still have the baby. When I was pregnant and my daughter went to school I had time. the other day this guy said that i should come over for a movie, I laughed. Yeah right! My idea of a holiday is leaving the kids in the van and runnign in for milk. The only time I have had no kids with me is when I run into a store quick. My older one has been to staff meetings and job interviews with me even.

Answer 2

does a shower count? i get those sometimes.... :-)

Once or twice a month my husband will take the kids starting around 7 and I'll leave for the evening to have some time to myself or with the neighborhood moms, and once a month or so we'll get a babysitter and go out as a couple for the evening. If I didn't do that I'd go completely out of my mind. (If you're not even doing that, you should seriously consider it -- it will work wonders for your parenting!).

if you mean overnight, the only times i've left have been for funerals and family medical emergencies, except that once a year my husband and i go away for two nights for our anniversary and leave the kids with the grandparents. (also a very worthwhile tradition!) i think most moms don't get away overnight on a regular basis, but 7 years is a pretty long time, maybe you should treat yourself. :-)

Answer 3

My mom has been a mother for 15 years.


She was a professor of Biology in a university, she's had two masteral degrees (Biology and Environmental Studies), she had four kids, the youngest died, and my dad didn't have a stable job.

She had hereditary heart disease, high blood pressure, complications with her kidneys, and developed anneurism (sp) which caused her sudden death last year. She was in the second year of her doctorate degree in Microbiology.


She was such a superwoman to me.


She always made us feel very special, us three girls, and she always had time to cook food for us, check her blu books, make sure we did our assignments, figure out where to get the money to pay this month's bills and whatever.

I've heard her tell a lot of times that she needed a break, but she never really got it.


And just before she died, she told me that if she had a choice, she would quit her job and take care of us at home.


And now, looking back, I didn't know how much sacrifice she had to make just to feed us...


And now I realize, how important mothers are... and we don't really care how our mothers look or how they smell and where they're going for vacation, what's really important is they're there, being mothers.


No vacation in the world can top that.

Answer 4

Oh, you poor thing, I know how you feel. You almost feel like you are in prison, right? Even though being a mom is the most wonderful privelage it sometimes makes me feel trapped and I just want to get in the car and drive far far away!

No we haven't taken a vacation in 4 yrs and it really is starting to take a toll on us. I get away a few times a month where I go to the supermarket alone (haha, I know pathetic - the supermarket - whoopee!!).

I guess I just think I will have those opportunities when the right time comes. We just have to wait I guess, but in the meantime why don't you get yourself a pedicure or massage every month or so or just go out to dinner with your girlfriends (if you have any, I know motherhood sort of squashes your social life, lol).

Good luck and I feel for ya!

Answer 5

Maybe I'm selfish but I go to netball once a week. That is my "me time" other then that I don't leave them overnight, go away from them or anything at all. When I go out on a Tuesday my husband is at home with my 2 boys (aged 3 1/2 and 22 months) I am out for about 3 hours and the boys are in bed about an hour after i leave so they hardly have time to miss me. I think the mums that go away from their children so often only really want to be part time parents/

Answer 6

well, my son sleeps with me. My husband travels and is only home on weekends. I take the kids to the Dr. Pay the Bills, take care of the dog, clean the house, etc....I don't believe in taking vacations without the kids. They are people too and I figure I got into this whole mom thing to be there for my kids and to enrich their lives. If you go on a trip alone, doesn't that tell your kids that they aren't good enough to go with you? I think it does.

Anyway, to answer your question: Every few months or so my eldest daughter (22) and I go to a movie. Other than that, my personal time is when I watch my soap operas while cleaning the house or chat with the other mom's at my son's fencing academy. So yes, there are moms who are full-time, and i think if you are going to be a parent you need to be willing to make that sacrifice!

oh yeah: it's been about 22 years (when my daughter was born) for me. Like I said I don't believe in leaving the kids behind for selfish purposes

Answer 7

We never go on holiday without the kids, and I can't imagine doing so - if we did that, that would be our holiday time and the kids wouldn't get to go away on holiday at all.

I do take time for myself, though. After the kids have gone to bed, mostly, sometimes at the weekend if they're both doing activities. If I want to read a book and watch TV instead of catching up on housework, I do so. A bit of dust and some dirty dishes won't kill us.

Answer 8

Since becoming a mother 16 years ago, I have never taken any "holiday" away from my children.
The times I take for myself are short. About an hour at a time. I personally like to feed the ducks at the local pond. I spend an hour down there surrounded by them squawking and fighting over my treats, gives me a laugh and I get to relax.
I try to take this time about once a month. If I can sqeeze it in more often, I do.

Answer 9

Time away from the child. What a novel concept. In the first 20 years of my son's life I think I never was gone. My time away was when he got old enough to spend time with his friends or had a date. What I want to know is did anyone else close the door on the bathroom? I never felt like that was time away; because the door had to left open or someone would be knocking on it. ha!

Answer 10

I go to moms nights out that I plan at a local restaurant about every 6-8 weeks. That is really my only me time-holidays, vacations with my husband-oh I wish!! If you cannot go away-at least go to dinner with the girls. It is not much-but I come back feeling more refreshed from that couple hours away! Good luck-I know how you feel-it is tough sometimes!