Wiping runny noses, kissing scraped knees, reading bedtime stories, folding stacks of laundry, cooking, cleaning, driving carpool, scrubbing children, changing diapers, listening... the work of a mother requires boundless energy. As much as we all adore our children and love being moms, we all realize that motherhood is a full time job and once in a while, we need to refresh and refuel our energy tanks.
Melissa LaFreniere, mother of two girls says, "Mom's Night Out is my silent pledge to remember who I am. I am a mother, of course, but I'm also a woman who desperately needs to enjoy life. A few hours with my girlfriends helps me realize I haven't lost...me."
Many moms find it difficult to take time away from the kids to socialize with friends, and many of the traditional Mom’s Night Out (MNO) ideas, from dinners at nice restaurants to spa days, are difficult to work into the family budget. While the traditional ideas are a nice treat, once in a while it’s fun to try something a bit out of the ordinary.
So, what’s a mom to do? Here are five ideas under $5 for a Mom’s Night Out you won’t soon forget!
- Learn something new… for FREE! The Mid-Continent Public Libraries (http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/) offer many wonderful classes ranging from crafts (I learned the German art of Scherenschnitte) to the culinary to gardening and home skills. Recently, my friend Keelie and I took a Mediterranean cooking class at the library. Zoe LaGrece, former chef of Zoe’s Restaurant for 10 years, instructed us in the art of Mediterranean meals while giving practical tips and nutritional information. Zoe was such a fun teacher it was like participating in a cooking show in person. We taste-tested the food, left with great recipes and learned something new.
- Host a Mom’s Night IN… for $5 per mom! Invite your friends to come to your home for a My Favorite Things Party. Instruct each mom to bring her favorite “must have” product costing $5 or less. The item must then be gift wrapped and anonymous. Serve simple snacks at your party. Once everyone arrives, facilitate a gift exchange. Give each mom a number, and starting with number one, have that mom select a gift to open.The mom who brought the gift will explain why it is her favorite “must have” item. Then, mom number two opens a gift or steals the already opened gift from mom number one. This continues until each mom has a gift. You may set a limit on the number of times a gift may be stolen. The moms learn a lot about one another and have fun swapping stories and tips, and each lady leaves with a treat.
- Be “One of the Guys”… What do the guys do on their night out? Bowling, laser tag, paint ball, rock wall climbing, go-karts. Kansas City boasts many options for each of these outings. While a number of these activities come in at our $5 price point, the pricier ones often come into range with coupons. Check the Entertainment Book and online at the facilities’ websites. Let your hair down, relax and enjoy a night of recreation.
- Enjoy a Night Under the Stars… Summer is the best time for a fun night out in Kansas City. The Heart of America Shakespeare Festival is performing The Merry Wives of Windsor for free June 16-July 5. Looking for music, comedy or drama? Visit www.kcparent.com for a complete list of FREE summer concerts and movies. Pack a picnic or a few snacks and enjoy an evening of culture, or at least pop culture, with your pals.
- Go on a Treasure Hunt… at the Nelson! Recently, my girlfriends were looking for something new. As a fan of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, I decided to write a scavenger hunt of art. A few weeks later, I invited friends to participate in an MNO at the Nelson hunting for treasured art. We formed teams and awarded simple prizes to the winners. After the hunt, we enjoyed dessert at Winstead’s.
So, what did the ladies think of their experience? Lizz Welter, a mom of three preschoolers, said, “I left feeling like I had accomplished something and invested in my friendships.”
And of course, there is the educational benefit. Melissa says, "I can't believe how much I learned during this hunt, or all the items I noticed since I was forced to really look at everything. I would have never seen half of what is there if it weren't for this hunt."
If you would like to host a hunt at the Nelson, click here for complete instructions and your treasure list. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is free and open until 9 p.m. on Friday nights.
Next time you schedule a Mom’s Night Out, try something new. You won’t regret it!
Mom’s Night Out MOM TIPS
My friends and I like to do dinner and try an activity like bowling – something that keeps us moving so we get a little bit of exercise (and we stay awake!). Alicia Hallmon, Independence
On Moms' Night Out my mom friends and I like to go to The Melting Pot, to Dave and Busters or just hang out together at one of our houses. Most importantly we like to get together and have adult conversations, which seem to always be about our kids. Desiree Gabert, Independence
My mom friends and I plan an “outing” once a quarter. The best one we did last year was go to a meal-prep kitchen and make enough meals for the WHOLE month. It’s a fun time together plus we went home with meals that made the coming weeks much easier! Rolanda Jacobs, Shawnee, KS