momAgenda Blog
Win-It Wednesday: What's Your Favorite Escape?
August 25, 2010 10:42 AM
The last 2 weeks of the summer, before school starts, have consistently been 2 of the hardest weeks of the year for me. The kids are no longer doing camp or any other scheduled activities, plus lots of their friends are out of town so play dates are more challenging to find. You might think it's the perfect time of year to spend lots of quality time with them. The problem is this is by far our busiest time of year at momAgenda, so that's not really an option.
So you could say I am stressed out this week. Fortunately, though, I have a favorite escape. Several times a week I lace up my running shoes, crank up my iPod so it's really loud, and hit the road for an hour-or-so long escape from reality. It is one of the few things I do that allows me to really and truly forget about everything that is going on in my life that is stressing me out: my guilt over my kids, issues at work, or whatever might be on my mind. I just close my eyes and lose myself in my run.
We all need and deserve a few guilt-free hours per week just for ourselves, no matter how many kids we have or how hard we work. Otherwise we can get burnt out which is not good for us or our kids.
My question for you this week is, what's your escape? How do you put your everyday stresses aside and get some "me" time?
Submit your answer in a blog comment, on our Facebook fan page, or on Twitter (use hashtag #momAgenda). Winner will be announced tonight, and will receive a momAgenda Home Office edition in Zebra.
Good luck everyone!
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Comments (31)
A good book and a glass of wine while curled up on the couch with my precious dogs.
Posted by: Sarah - August 25, 2010 11:15 AM
I use my drive to and from work as my "me" time. I am able to crank up the radio and listen to whatever I want (hubby and I differ in musical tastes). I also use this time to not think about anything that I have to do for someone else. I just let my mind relax and think about myself!
Posted by: Amanda Bosque - August 25, 2010 11:16 AM
I am still working on the balance of me time. I am currently going to law school, teaching college and the step mom to three children (all with emotional issues) which require multiple therapy appointments. I would not give it up for anything. I usually try to escape one every few weeks and get a mani/pedi. That is my one true escape to where there is no one needing my immediate attention.
Posted by: Cyndi - August 25, 2010 11:17 AM
My favorite escape is sitting on the beach and doing ....nothing just listening to the waves and clearing my head. This makes me a better mom and wife when im in a calm place
Posted by: johanna - August 25, 2010 11:17 AM
Currently I use my lunch break at work to read. Reading is something that got pushed aside after having 3 kids in 2 years. Life was just too busy for me to do it. But I recently got a Kindle and have also pulled out all my old favorites from the basement. Reading is my escape.
Posted by: Sarah - August 25, 2010 11:26 AM
Running. It helps me clear my mind and feel refreshed!
Posted by: lindsay c - August 25, 2010 11:36 AM
After I put my little one to bed in the evening, I spend time reading or catching up on tv with a glass of wine in hand.
Posted by: Nicole - August 25, 2010 11:39 AM
This week it is reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Addicting!
Posted by: Leslie - August 25, 2010 11:41 AM
My everyday (non vacation) escape is at about 8pm after the baby is down and all the picking up has been done.. I can just SIT on the couch and relax for an hour or so, possibly watch some mindless tv:) OR the hour I get at the gym every couple of days, only time i'm truly ALONE:)
Posted by: Volree Wade - August 25, 2010 11:41 AM
My favorite escape is my time with my best girlfriends. We all have kids and work full time outside of our homes in addition to balancing the full time responsibilities of managing a household. When we can get together to reconnect over brunch or an early dinner, all is truly good in the world. The time together strengthens our bonds and always provides much needed perspective. Couldn't live without my girlfriends!!
Posted by: Tricia - August 25, 2010 11:44 AM
GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!!!!
Posted by: Gay - August 25, 2010 11:47 AM
Sitting on the porch watching the deer in the evening, while reading a book after putting all 4 kids to bed.
Posted by: michelle - August 25, 2010 11:52 AM
my favorite escape after knowing everyone is home safe + sound is reading blogs! there are some very talented and funny people out there! great way to end a long day.
Posted by: kribss - August 25, 2010 11:52 AM
A glass of wine and a recorded episode of The Young and the Restless.
Posted by: Cena - August 25, 2010 11:58 AM
Working out. I always feel refreshed after a good work out.
Posted by: Heather M. - August 25, 2010 11:59 AM
If the weather is nice I will just go out and sit by the pool by myself with a book otherwise I will go to a bookstore and just browse the shelves with a cup of coffee...
Posted by: Jenn - August 25, 2010 12:01 PM
I take a bath, after the kids are in bed, with a glass of wine, a magazine or paperback, and peace. I get to relax, read, and shave my legs!!!!! (Who knew shaving my legs would be a luxury?!?!) I feel pretty, a little sexy and relaxed after.
Posted by: Tracy Lambert - August 25, 2010 12:04 PM
A nice, long run. Which I should do more often.
Posted by: Selena - August 25, 2010 12:33 PM
I like to read in the bath before bed because it is the only time I have to myself. I also like to just get in the car and drive to nowhere and chill out. These are out in the middle of nowhere country drives. I also like to curl up and watch Grey's Anatomy.
Posted by: Hope Oswalt - August 25, 2010 1:06 PM
A good book....or my fave shows on tv--do not know what I would do with out my DVR!
Posted by: Jenny Martin - August 25, 2010 1:09 PM
With 3 kids, 2 jobs and a husband (and all of their activites) I have never really found this balance. I am hopeful that now that all three are in school I will be able to schedule "me time" into my life. Most of the time the best I can hope for is a quick chat with another mom at the end of the school day, or waiting in the lobby of ballet class.
Posted by: Janelle - August 25, 2010 2:54 PM
Reading interesting issues in the small stack of magazines that accumulate in my bedroom relaxes me. Also, journaling about whatever I feel I need to express...whether it be challenges during the day, a surprise meeting with an old friend or some other revelation I want to remember. It's like cleansing the soul to have your thoughts put on paper.
Posted by: Alice - August 25, 2010 3:00 PM
Usually...My escape is to "just be" with my friends or doing the hang time at the book store with a pile of magazines. With two kids, one of which is severely handicapped (wheelchair bound, deaf/blind, but CUTE, CUTE, CUTE!), sitting is NEVER on the agenda.
"We" started Kindergarten with my youngest and needless to say, Mommy cried more than wee one!!! My escape TODAY, was to walk out of the classroom knowing tomorrow WILL be better!!!
Thanks for allowing me to share ;)
Trish
Posted by: Trish Naylor - August 25, 2010 3:37 PM
Other than praying, I am an avid scrapbooker and paper-crafter, so if there is time left at the end of the day, or I am needing a get-a-way, I head to my office where all of my "pretties" are well within reach! I would LOVE to win the mom agenda - I am sure it is just what I have been looking for...I just have to wait until some of the expenses of grad school slow down to be able to purchase one :o)
Posted by: Mary Collins - August 25, 2010 5:08 PM
Running! It's my chance to zone out and focus on absolutely nothing!
Posted by: Karla - August 25, 2010 5:30 PM
my 20 minute commute to work after the kids are dropped off. peace and quiet :)
Posted by: heather - August 25, 2010 7:16 PM
I have 4 boys, ages 12, 9, 7, and 3. It's easy to get wrapped up in just trying to get it all done. My relaxation is realizing that I have laughed, been laughed at, and best of all hugged every single day by these precious boys!
Posted by: Dana - August 25, 2010 7:55 PM
I put my piano in my kids' playroom, so I can check out for a while and get wrapped up in my music while the kids play.
Posted by: Lindsey - August 25, 2010 10:04 PM
I'm working to find the balance. With two pre-schoolers, it's a juggling act. Twice a week I get the house to myself after the kids are asleep. I cherish this time - with a good book or a mindless movie. Anything to just escape for a bit!
Posted by: Michelle - August 25, 2010 10:26 PM
I am a single mom witha full time job and 3 very active kids that keep me very busy after work and on weekends. I have recently started a weight loss challenge, so I find that after the kids are asleep I go on a walk. I t feels so good because it gives me time to myself and time to think and relieve some not so needed stress....
Posted by: Jaime - August 29, 2010 8:04 PM
Depending on the season I love to take a dip in the pool sans kidlets in the summer. Fall/Winter I like to make a special trip to Starbucks. We no longer live in a town that has them on every corner, the one nearest to my house is about a thirty minute drive. At other times of the year I enjoy a good book that is not related to nursing school, in combination with a hot bath. :)
Posted by: Shawnna Samples - August 29, 2010 11:23 PM
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