Moms need holidays too!!
by Sally Cameron, midwife, mother of 2 and co-owner of earthbabies . I am passionate, creative, trying to be Green unschooling single mom. It’s a journey
I became a single mom at the beginning of the year when I left my husband after a failed, destructive marriage. Raising 2 small kids alone is a huge challenge and can really leave you feeling more than a little worn out. My ex husband works on the oil rigs and so would be away for weeks at a time. I got used to being and doing everything myself but I would still defer things to him like building the flat pack furniture, mowing the lawn, fixing anything that broke, hanging pictures, the car. These were all deemed his area of responsibility
When I left and it was just the kids and I, the shock of having to look after them alone 24/7 was overwhelming. Before I was a stay at home mom, now all of a sudden I was responsible for making money for the kids and managing stuff I had never done before. I was immobilized with fear but little by little I am expanding my repertoire.
It has been a long emotional journey dealing with all the feelings around a broken marriage, helping the kids manage their feelings and then the very very long hours I work at night when the kids are asleep so I can grow my little on line business Earth Babies. All this has left me rather exhausted ,irritable and drained
I had never been away from my kids for more than a night in 5 years. I desperately needed not 
to be a mom for a little while and toyed with the idea of going to Cape Town for a long weekend. My business partner and dear true friend Barbara convinced me to go for a bit longer. So, on 3rd November I left my kids with Barbara and went to Cape Town for a week. I am sure that there are those that will judge me for leaving them to have fun but I feel like a much better mom after having the break. I know that having the break has made me a much better mom. I had time to restore myself a little , have more patience with them and can really enjoy them now rather than being irritable a lot of the time. I blogged about my holiday and looking at that picture always make me smile. I was happy to deep inside me there, it restored me.
I think we all need a break at times, when last did you have one?
Moms’ absolutely need holidays and fun – I think it is a rather bullch*t outlook that when you become a mom you are meant to be happy always putting yourself second (or last) or using the childfree time to do something constructive. I think there is so little real time as a mom to relax that every mom should take it when they can – means you can love the little rotters again lol
My week of 1 less while my daughter was with her gran was wonderful, I missed her (alot) but just that partial break from responsibility and needing to entertain both kids was fun (and I think it was good for my son too).
Gotta agree! If it wasnt for Granny, I’d go insane! Sometimes, I just leave my son with my mom for a night in order to have alone time. You are always able to face the next night rejuvenated!
so glad you took the time out to have fun-so important.most of us want it, but dont always make the effort to organise it.It totally makes you a better mom-even missing them feels good.Iv’e had little bits of time away from them with my husband, and so appreciate it.well done
Jip- fully agree- we need to reboot!!