time away without the kids

A client of mine just texted me to share how kind and grateful her sister was to her after having been away with her husband without their kids for four days. 

It’s amazing what can happen when you get time away together with your spouse. It’s so transformative that you may not even recognize who that funny, relaxed, awesome person is in the mirror! 

One of my favorite books is “Gift by the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh.  She speaks about the chaos and joys of running a family and the need to have some time of solitude, time to connect with her creativity, and time to have alone with her husband, looking into his eyes over an unhurried breakfast, just the two of them:

There’s something magical that happens when you carve out that time alone without your children. You’re not only teaching your kids that they can get their needs met by other people but also that they are not the center of your universe. That you will be able to survive and hopefully thrive when they leave the house and that they are expected to leave the house. They benefit so much from having parents who’ve gotten away to relax, connect, laugh, play, and rekindle their love for each other.

When was the last time you made this time? 

Maybe now is the time to schedule it. And remember, while a 2-week vacation can be glorious, it’s not always practical. Weekly date nights and other small chunks of time dedicated to your solitude can go a long way!

To your independence,
Andrea