Dear Maggie,
My mom just invited me to go away with her and my sister for a long weekend to celebrate my mom’s 70th birthday. Mom is paying and the thought of three days away is so appealing … but I’ve never left my kids (ages 4 and 5 ½). Should I go? My husband says yes, so he’s not the problem … I think maybe I am.
Dear I Think,
I don’t know about you but I’ve thought more about running away as an adult than I did as a child! The good news? You’re already prepared! Your baggage is already packed! Unfortunately, it’s full of guilt and mom jeans.
Darling, we’ll be charged extra by that sweet speck of a man at the luggage counter *wink * if you don’t get your stuff together. And mom jeans? Honestly. We are a tribe and I can’t let you do this any longer.
Super sigh. It’s hard to rediscover yourself after wandering aimlessly about the mom highway for so many years. I think I might have waved to you once in slow, methodical passing. The truth? That heavy force you’re fighting isn’t from Yoda, it’s GUILT. It’s time to let it go and trust in Maggie. Dump that GUILT bag out, shred the mom jeans and rip off the rear view mirror. Leave a bag of goldfish crackers and some sugar free, non GMO, fructose free juice for the kids (or just go with water) and skip out the door. They’ll be fine.
Take the trip.
Upon your return find a soap box, get up on it and teach all of your Mommy friends how important it is to keep the “me” in Mommy. Also, remind them to leave room in their baggage for the souvenirs they’ll bring home. Peace, positivity, renewed energy, happy smiles, memories and some vaulted secrets. *wink*
xoxo
Maggie
P.S. Feel free to send me a souvenir. No, like a real one. I collect those squished pennies. (I feel like you’re judging me.)
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About Maggie: I'm a mom of three, master of none and all of my insights come from experience and personal opinion, so feel free to take what you like and leave what you don't 'cause truthfully, I don't know any more than you do.
