Crazed In the Kitchen: All By Myself...   

Saturday, March 31, 2012

All By Myself...


A little less than a week ago, I left my husband and kids.

Well, ok, the truth is somewhat less dramatic: A little less than a week ago, I kissed my hubby and boys goodbye and left for a vacation. Without them.

And, as I sit here on day 2 of my Florida vacation, full of pancakes and coffee made by someone else (the best kind!) and coming off two full nights of uninterrupted sleep (the best kind!), I am struck by the fact that I have managed to pull off the ultimate Mommy stunt—a truly relaxing vacation without my kids.

But no child-free vacation is complete without a little (or a lot of) mommy guilt. The lovely beach that lies before me is peppered with kids of all ages, digging happily in the sand, jumping in the waves, and chasing hapless seabirds. My kids would have loved it. The beach, the pools, the adoring grandparents…how could I deprive my darlings of such delight?

Can't. Stop. Reading.
I thought about bringing them, really I did. But my husband and I priced airfare, and it wasn’t pretty. And the logistics weren’t easy, either: I was flying into one city, staying with relatives who didn’t have children, then driving 2 hours to the beach and a lovely but not-so-child-friendly rental condo with my dad and stepmom. They would have loved to see my kids, of course, but I couldn’t help but think that their vacation would become a little less play and a little more work if all of us showed up. We’re not always an easy crew. Some of us don’t sleep well (Rascal), some of us don’t eat well (Stinker), and some of us realllllly wanted some time to herself to read “The Hunger Games” (um, that would be me).

All of that was reason enough to leave the little guys home for some quality time with their (by now sleep-deprived) dad, but my memories of our last family trip by plane were what sealed the deal:

We were flying to Detroit, changing planes in Chicago. I sat with my then-3-year-old, while my husband and 1-year-old sat in the row ahead of us. Throughout the 4-hour flight, it appeared as if I had gotten the better deal. In front of me, Rascal flat-out refused to nap, and squawked off and on for the whole flight. Next to me, Stinker quietly watched Yo Gabba Gabba dvds for an hour, then fell asleep. I patted my husband’s shoulder sympathetically, half-heartedly offered whatever help I could possibly provide from the confines of my seat, then pulled out a magazine and relaxed for a few hours. But the tables turned as we began a bumpy descent: Rascal finally nodded off, and Stinker woke up extremely unhappy. After a couple of minutes of complaining, the worst happened.

icanhascheezburger.com
The kid began barfing. Like, everywhere. I remember, when it began, grabbing an airsickness bag from the seat pocket. I managed to get it open, then found myself waving it around the poor kid’s face, trying to catch the awfulness as it spewed out in every direction. (Apparently, a kid’s first instinct when a paper bag is shoved in his face is to dodge, leading to a substantial widening of the disaster zone.) Before it was all over, he got both of us pretty well covered in puke. Of course, we were landing and couldn’t get out of our seats for 10 minutes, so there we sat. My husband patted me sympathetically, handed me some wipes, and pulled out a magazine. (He denies it, but I SWEAR I saw him smile, just a little.)

I thought things would get better when we landed. We had packed a change of clothes for the kids in our carry-on bags, so I was able to get poor Stinker wiped off and changed before we even got off the plane. I was stuck wearing puke-y clothes, but figured I could live with it for the quick flight to Detroit, where we’d retrieve our checked bag and a clean outfit for me.

Yep, that’s what I thought. Until they cancelled our flight to Detroit and oh-so-helpfully rebooked us on a flight the NEXT DAY. When asked where we could pick up our luggage, the gate agent tapped at her computer then said brightly, “Oh! It made an earlier flight! It will be waiting for you when you arrive tomorrow!” I gritted my teeth and smiled, sort of, while I nonchalantly waved my shirt toward her, giving her a whiff of the magic that covered the only clothes I had. Lucky for us, my dad and stepmom lived nearby and we arrived on their doorstep an hour later, stinky, hungry, tired (hubby and me), and completely hyper (the kids). I borrowed some clothes, started a load of laundry, and raided the liquor cabinet. 

So. You can see why I hesitated to bring my kids on this trip. Plus, as a stay at home mom, I really looked forward to the idea of having no one to take care of for just a few days. Maybe it was selfish.  But I like to think that after a few days of relaxing I was able to come home refreshed, ready to take on the stinky litter box and the toddler with yet another cold. That is, if I can put down “Catching Fire” long enough to see what’s going on around here…

31 comments:

  1. You may have pulled off the greatest Mom-cation EVAH!!!! I'm seriously not worthy and a tad frickin' jealous, but anyway. You deserve it after being scarred for life on the first trip. I've flown with one child a few times, never two...never. I know I'd be on the 6 o'clock news or in the clink for mouthing off to someone.

    In all seriousness, put away the Mom guilt. This is a fact: vacations with kids, especially small ones, are far from relaxing. You always return more stressed than when you left, and the packing, Lord the packing alone. Moms (and Dads) need some time away to miss their kids.

    I'm still waiting to read Hunger Games...maybe by 2014:)

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    1. The packing! I totally forgot about that. Packing for this trip was so easy! No diapers, no toys, no 15 pairs of Yo Gabba Gabba underpants (at least they're small...). It really was relaxing, and I'd honestly forgotten how vacations could be. I've flown with both kids by myself, and I take the chance to brag about that to whomever will listen. It wasn't pretty. I put them in overnight diapers for the plane ride, so, you know. One less thing to deal with. ;)

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  2. Oh I think going on a trip alone sounds heavenly. Don't feel guilty - sometimes it's what us moms need to get refreshed.
    And our kids are 5 and under and we have yet to go on a vacation. I'm scared to try it because I know it would not be pretty and would not be fun yet for me and my husband.

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    1. I definitely feel refreshed! And yeah, we've cut back on the travel to visit family lately. Let them come to us for now!

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  3. Last year I joined my husband on a business trip and had 4 child free days, and I'm not ashamed to say it, I didn't feel any guilt!!! Good for you! Hope you are having a wonderful time. I'm sure when you get back you will be quite happy to see your family, I know I was, but I did enjoy my moment of me time!!! Have fun!

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    1. Four days of child-free vacation WITH YOUR HUBBY?? That sounds amazing--we have managed one night and two short days in Vegas about 3 years ago. That's it. Someday...

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  4. Good move! I hope you have a wonderful, guilt-free, restful time.
    I remember as a child flying from England to California. I threw up somewhere over the Atlantic. Long flight. I still can't figure out why the other passengers didn't like me...
    ; )

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    1. Hee hee. I have been told repeatedly by my dad that the barf incident was karmic payback for a flight we took when I was very small--and did the same thing to him. Oops! The joys of parenting...

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  5. You go gal.. Pulling off the best kid free vacation. I've yet to try out such a stunt. Hb will surely bail on me with the 3 kids.

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    1. Having 3 makes it much harder. And we did work out a trade--he went skiing for a few days with a friend last month. Of course, THAT'S when ear infection #3 hit my toddler!

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  6. Girl I wish I could do that, I often say out loud I need a vacation, but never go by myself, you are my hero!!!

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    1. Traveling with the kids is great because you get to watch them experience new things, but it is anything but relaxing! This trip was heaven.

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  7. Everyone needs a little break from time to time, and a Momcation is a great idea! I've never been fortunate enough to have that Mom-only time, but prior to baby #2 arriving, my husband and I were able to get away a few times for much needed couple time. I hope that you have a fantastic vacation and enjoy your books!

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  8. Ha! Flying on a plane with kids can be such an adventure. Having total momenvy over you luxuriating on the beach. Isn't The Hunger Games amazing?

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    1. The beach was awesome, and the Hunger Games is so good I can't put it down!

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  9. I hate the mom guilt I feel when I have a relaxing time with out them.

    But I keep reminding myself that I am a better more patient mom when I return so the vacation is really a gift to them as well.

    How was the Hunger Games? I am hopping to get at that this summer. :)

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    1. I love the idea that my vacation was a gift to my kids. And my husband. Though I'm not sure he'll buy it...

      As for the Hunger Games, it's great. I resisted it for a while, but now I'm hooked.

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  10. Glad you were able to take a break. And yes we all have the mommy guilt.. but Moms are usually so self-less that they deserve a time out from mothering :)

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  11. I love love love your story! I will be flying with my 1yr old next month...fingers crossed there is no puke involved!

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  12. i saw a scary mommy tweet not too long ago where she said something along the lines of barfing being the low-point of parenting. i was among a few others who suggested that perhaps it might be lice instead. she agreed.

    this piece is great because, as i think about travelling 22 hours east with my three bambini, i am reminded that (knock wood) we have NEVER had a barfing-while-travelling event. and this is something to be grateful for.

    thank you for your sweet perspective--and i certainly hope you've finished the hunger games by now : )

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    1. I would take barfing over lice any and every time. My scalp is itching just THINKING about lice. And sadly, the episode I described was not the first barfing-while-travelling event that poor Matthew has experienced. And, I suspect, it won't be the last. I hope you have a great (barf-free) trip!

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  14. There's absolutely nothing wrong with carving out some time for yourself, but I guess it's normal to feel some guilt. We moms are guilty of feeling guilty when we have our own fun :). I envy you... I wish I can do the same... You certainly deserve a break from all your mommy duties. And then you go back to your family with a rejuvenated spirit- and a gorgeous tan! :)

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    1. Thank you! You're right about everything--except the tan. ;) I have two colors, bright white or pink!

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  15. What an absolute treat! Just enjoy it. The guilt will of course be there, but that's ok. Cheers! I hope you're having some lovely drink with an umbrella in it too;)

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    1. Thank you! I think the guilt helps me appreciate my family more when I get home.

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  16. I support you. Do what you think is the right thing to do. Be happy.

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