GIRLS WEEKEND: EVERY MAMA NEEDS IT
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This past weekend I chose to step out of mom zone, take a weekend for me and my girls and jet off to Scottsdale, AZ. I always promised myself to stay true to myself once I became a mom. Although Q (and future kids) will always be priority number one, I make a big effort to keep my marriage and personal friendships not far behind that. For most moms (and dads for that matter), just because we became parents doesn't mean we have forgotten what sparks our interests. I've found that still focusing on my relationships and my needs has made me a better mom for Q.
This is why making it a priority to have a girls weekend once a year is invaluable. A time to be 100% myself, step out of mommy mode for a bit and just let loose without any responsibility. Any time spent with my girls is always so refreshing, and especially refreshing after a weekend away together to destress and come back rejuvenated for my family. So what does a girls weekend in my eyes look like and how do you make it happen?
Step 1: Make it a Priority
If it's not something truly important to you, going away just for the sake of it will be less valuable than you could have expected and your mind and heart will just be back at home. Don't get me wrong, just because it's important to me doesn't mean I'm not thinking of my boys back home. In fact, I probably Facetime'd Q 3-4 times a day. However, before I became a girlfriend, then wife and then a mom I would take an annual girls trip and I didn't want that to change just because I was a wife and mom. So I choose to make it a priority in my life to get away at least one weekend out of the year with my girls.
Step 2: Have your Support System Ready
Whether that support system is just daddy or parents and in-laws, having great trust and security with my support network makes for a much more relaxed getaway. We are so blessed to have such amazing parents and siblings, who are always willing to help us out when it comes to Qaayam. Having me out of the picture for a few days and sometimes just a few hours allows for Q to be able to create solid bonds with some of the most important people in his lives besides myself and Imran.
Step 3: Make a Schedule
Typically, us girls make a schedule for what our days will look like, with a bit of wiggle room for some free time. I find it also key to make a schedule for Q as well. I'm always nervous something is going to go wrong in Q's schedule and I'm going to bare the brunt when I return, so I draw out what his typical day should look like. This step alleviates any issues, such as sleep patterns or routines being affected, when I return and it also helps maintain a level of consistency for Q. See my sample schedule below.
- 6:30 am Wake up, eat breakfast
- 7:00 Play, art and music activities or outdoor activity
- 9:30 am Snack
- 11:30 am Lunch
- 12:30 pm Nap
- 3:00 pm Wake up, snack
- 3:30 pm Park time or play outside
- 5:30 pm Dinner
- 7:00 pm Bedtime routine
- 7:30 pm Bedtime
Step 4: Location & Time
Usually my trips are no longer than 3-4 days and no further than 3-3.5 hours away. I'm a lover of the heat, and when I say heat, I mean bring on the 35+ degree weather. Typically we choose a place that offers great restaurants, a place to relax (spa or pool area), a pool party (or two) and a bright nightlife. I'll admit, I use to be able to last 3 late nights of partying straight, but nowadays, sometime that hotel bed seems more appealing. Finding a balance between these factors makes for great variety and a well balanced getaway.
Step 5: Focus & Guilt Free
Lastly, I try and let go of any stresses and concerns back home and just focus. Focus on me and focus on my girls. I do get that guilty feeling when I go away, no doubt, but I remind myself, I need it, all mama's need it and moreover we deserve it! So do yourself a favour and leave the guilt at home, cause being a mama doesn't mean you can't still be a girlfriend.
