I spent this weekend pretending I wasn't a mommy. I didn't outwardly deny my mommy status, but I did quite a few things that reminded me just what this blog was meant to be about: who I was before, and how I've changed post-"mommy."
I stayed up late on Friday. I had donuts for breakfast AND lunch. My husband and I had some..."alone time" (wink, wink) in the middle of the day. I TOOK A NAP. I took a shower (without an audience!!!), brushed my hair (and didn't put it in a ponytail!!!), wore a skirt (I forgot other clothes besides jeans existed!!!), and even put on makeup. I had dinner at a restaurant without having to ask for booster seats, a kid menu, or extra napkins. And then I went to an awesome concert with my big sister.
We stayed out too late, but I got to sleep in! I woke up in time for a cup of coffee, my usual blog crawling, and then I headed off to a writing club (where I pretended that I actually know how to write and stuff). I pretended I was completely used to hanging out in an organic coffee shop, even though my "mommy self" thinks coffee comes from the drip at home or a drive-through. After two hours of some awesome writing exercises and meeting a bunch of other writers (can I call myself that?), I headed off to ANOTHER organic coffee shop for a book club.
I met more people today than I've probably met since I was in college. And I even spoke without getting red in the face or stuttering (although by the end my stomach hurt so bad from nerves that I thought I was going to be sick!). It was, overall, an amazing weekend. I'm proud of myself for letting go of my mommyhood for a little while. I needed this break; I needed to embrace the woman I am without relying on my identity as a mother.
At the end of the day, though...I did really, really miss my kids. I almost cried when I came home and saw them; it was like they'd been gone for a year though it was only two days. We took a long walk, pretended to be explorers hunting dragons in the jungle, and played catch in the front yard. It felt good to put my mommy skin back on.
Nothing like a little time away to remind you how good you have it.
This is me, breathing a giant sigh of contentment.
6 comments:
Good for you! I was wondering as I read your post how it would end and guessed exactly right! I have yet to spend a night away from my now three year old daughter but know it is time to venture forth, I just need to plan a good weekend break, so you are inspiring me to get planning!
Glad you had a wonderful time.
Oh my God, that much social activity would send my introvert self into fits of nerves! But good for you! It's nice to eat in a civilized place and talk about things other than tantrums and poop, isn't it? I also got to take off my mommy skin this weekend for a while. Divine.
Wow! What an incredible list of activities! It's so good to recognize and get to know the woman without the mothering from time to time, and the mothering always feels so good to step back into :) Refreshed and revitalized!
(and Yay for participating in Creativity Boot Camp! So glad to see you'll be joining us!)
That sounds so nice and refreshing. The donuts and the time to write. It's nice to get away sometimes and I think you and your kids are better for it. You've inspired me to carve out some me time.
It sounds like you had an amazing time! I am so glad you had fun at the writing meeting.
@Amanda: yes, but I missed you at book club :(
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