Sometimes You Just Need to Get Away!

Every year since my daughter was 3 (she is now 13) I'd take a "Mommy Vacation".  At first this was my opportunity to escape parenthood and hang with my high school and/or college friends in some tropical location.  Each of us left the kids and husbands/boyfriends at home and spent days and nights laughing and joking about the old days, school, and our lives.  For about 5 years straight we headed to Barbados.  As time went on our paths changed, our likes and dislikes varied, and some how those group vacations ended.  

For the last four years I've taken my "mommy vacations" alone.  Something I never thought I'd do.  When I was younger my mother would tell me, "if you wait on other people you'll never go anywhere". And she was so right!  Now I don't even ask, I just book my week at my favorite (not so far away) beach location - Cape May, NJ, at my favorite bed and breakfast, Akwaaba Bed and Breakfast, and I go!  Other than my reservation I don't plan any events or activities.  I decide, when I wake up, what I am going to do that day.  Some days I go to the beach, one day I treat myself to a movie, some evenings I head to Sunset Beach and enjoy the sunset, and most evenings I enjoy a delicious dinner, at a restaurant, all by myself. 

I have been going to Cape May and staying at Akwaaba for about 7 years.  Owner and former Essence Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Monique Greenwood, is like an old friend.  This year when I walked in the door she greeted me with a warm "Welcome Home!"  I go there to feel like I am on a respite from the daily grind of parenthood but I feel like I am at home - my home away from home.  

This was my room for the 5 days I stayed this year.  I'll share more about my trip in a later blog but every time I look at this photo it reminds me that Sometimes You Just Need to Get Away!

Where do yo go to get away??