Last week a real dust-up occurred on Lisa Belkin’s Motherlode blog at the NY Times. Belkin invited writer Lisa T. McElroy, a mother of two and law professor, to guest blog on her “mom vacation.” In case you missed the post, McElroy, spent a week in Arizona, sans hubby and kids, on a solo vacation.
Disclosure: I’ve been to Puerto Rico (twice), Cuba, and Montauk, Long Island without my kids and husband. Next fall, I’m off to Tuscany with three gal pals. Don’t feel bad for Big P. He once left me with the kids for two weeks and went to England. (He said he was going to a funeral. Raise your hand if you’ve ever been to a two week funeral. Two hands if the funeral was in Europe. Okay, let’s not get me started.)
Have you been on a mom (or dad) only vacation? Is going away for a weekend okay, but a week or longer – just plain irresponsible and selfish? Would you consider doing this in the future? Are solo vacations anti-family, a sign of a self-absorbed privileged society or a much needed respite?
Its hard to answer not knowing all the circumstances, however I hope the relationships are still intact, therefore six of one, half a dozen of another.
I don’t think a solo vacation necessarily means a “relationship is not intact” – we can love our family and not be always joined at the hip. Thanks for your comment.
My husband has driven cross country and goes home to Detroit with his best friend from HS almost annually. I actually look forward to his vacation away from us. He comes back refreshed and recharged. The kids and I indulge in junk food and all sorts of things that Dad doesn’t really like. I think its a win win for all.
I like to take my time away in small doses. (5 hour brunches here and there)
I have to admit feeling a bit “recharged” myself when I’m away from my family. I do find that after 5 or more days, I start missing them terribly though. I have this image of you and your kids chowing down on “junk food” while Dad is away – LOL.