Another ‘First’ – A BIG Stretch of Time Without Kids

This here divorced mom is sitting here wearing her SuperGirl jammies, with freshly painted toenails and a white skin mask on. Yes, I’m having an evening of self-pampering.  But tonight feels different than other ‘grooming’  nights – it’s the kick-off to my 10-day ‘vacation’ without my three kids.

This is the first time since I had kids, eight years ago, that I’ve had this much time off to myself.  And I’m not sure what to do with myself!

Since getting divorced, I’ve grown accustomed to my ex taking the kids  maybe once/twice a month, and normally they’re back within 24 – 48 hours.  That time off gets eaten up quickly – catching up on sleep, scheduling some much-needed ‘girlfriend time,’ working like a madwoman, then POOF!  I’m right back on full-time mommy duty.

But now – and for the next ten days, I not only have time to ‘catch up’ on my life, I can completely, fully decompress.  And RECHARGE.

A part of me is still in denial this is happening: my brain keepings throwing a list of things at me that I need to do PRONTO.  But then, then I remember – I’m alone for the next 10 days.  NOTHING is an emergency right NOW.

Already I’m doing a few things differently – for no other reason than because I CAN.  For example:

• I haven’t turned on the stove
• I’ve ignored the laundry hamper (I usually do one load every day)
• I took two showers and walked around naked in the middle of the day
• I blasted ABBA on youtube and danced in my office at 2 a.m.

And with that, I’ll bid you adieu – I have precious seconds to savor over the next ten days and time is ticking!