Great Escape: Getting Away From It All

The under-rested mom is a dangerous animal.  To tame her inner beast, sometimes it helps this mother to plan activities just for herself — to look forward to some solace amidst the monotony of daily objectives that seem to repeat like the movie Groundhog Day.

Patch asked area moms what escapes they like to make to break from the usual family-centered focus. Below is a list of the top five answers.

Top Five Mom's Escapes

1.  Mother/Daughter Beach Trip
Plan a one, or two night stay down the ocean, hon, to let the ocean breeze remove the remnants of the kid's arguments, whining and complaining.  Who better to slip away with than your own mother? After all, you understand her more -- now that you're a mom too.

2. Night of Beauty
Have the hubby take the kids to dinner and a movie while you unwind at home in your favorite PJs.  Mary Chaney, Overlea native, says, "Time alone at home was always a good one for me when the kids were little.  I could have an "evening of beauty" at home.  Nice "uninterrupted" soaking in the tub, actually shave my legs, maybe color my hair, do my eyebrows, maybe read a grown up book -- all the stuff that I was always to busy to do or rushed through."

3. Starbucks Saturday
Slip away on a Saturday and take your time at Starbucks with a couple steaming cups of coffee, free WiFi, nice music, and best of all -- no kids. Maureen Coyne Shumway, of Parkville, remarks," Sometimes just being without kids and a holding hot cup of coffee is a good way to get away."

4. Day Spa  
Massages and facials are sure to beat the case of the burn-outs.  Amanda Chaney, of Parkville, thinks spa trips are a great way for moms to get away and pamper themselves for a change.   

5. Girls Weekend
My own, personal favorite way to make a quick slip is the ever-popular girlfriend's trip.  This could be almost anywhere; in-state, out-of-state, it really doesn't matter to me as long as there is good food and drink (that I don't have to make), and a nice hotel room.  A PJ party with facials and a few cocktails, okay, maybe a place where live music plays too, are easy toppings on this sweet treat of a reprieve from motherhood overload.

Try planning one of these favorite ways to briefly escape the day-in, day-out of it all.  You'll find just the anticipation of a planned "me time" will allow you to breathe easier and make you feel less like growling at your kids.