Children make our lives so much more full and wonderful, but I firmly believe that all parents can benefit from some time away from their kids every now and then. (And the kids can benefit, too). Anyone who has taken a short vacation without kids will tell you...a few days of zero responsibilities does a body good! Even though you miss your kids terribly, it gives you a chance to reclaim the part of your identity that isn't wrapped up in being a parent. Time to laugh, time to sleep in, time to eat dinner whenever you want, time to read books...the list goes on.
I realize that not everyone has the opportunity to take a vacation without their kids. Whether or not it's because of finances or lack of childcare...it's just not realistic for all of us to jet off to Hawaii for a week. But there are ways that we all can get that feeling of freedom and rejuvination without even leaving town.
You could switch off with your spouse...let him have a whole day of golf/sports with the guys one weekend and the next weekend spend an entire day with your girlfriends at the spa, watching movies, or shopping. Whatever you enjoy...just spend a whole day doing it.
Or if you can pull it off, spend just one night at a local hotel either with your spouse or by yourself. I have done this and it's heavenly and even though you may be only 5 minutes from home, it really feels like you are getting away.
So how to you get away and rejuvinate yourself?