Saturday, February 2, 2013

Conference Time!

I'm typing this post from my cozy, warm, QUIET hotel room at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. I am fortunate enough to be able to attend the National Reading Recovery/Literacy Conference, which is held every year in Columbus. I love a good literacy conference (I'm a HUGE literacy nerd. HUGE.), and this is one of the best. I'll be here until Tuesday afternoon, and I couldn't be happier.

What I'm about to say could be controversial on the interwebs, but I'm saying it anyway. Here goes......I actually ENJOY a little time away from my kids. Yes, yes...I know, not everyone shares this point of view. I've heard and read of many a mama who hates having to spend even one night away from her kids. I've seen several comments on forums where women proudly comment on the fact that they've never spent a night away from their children. And I'm not judging...I think that's great, if that's what they choose as part of their momming identity (and yes, momming is totally a real verb). It's just not part of MY momming identity.

For me, spending time away from the kids to decompress, relax without anyone asking for fruit snacks or demanding more Mickey mouse or whining when I say no, we cannot go outside in the 15 degree weather, is about my mental health. My brain enjoys the quiet, the adult conversations, the being-able-to-crawl-into-a-bed-without-crumbs-in-it. It invigorates me, recharges me, makes me a better mom. I appreciate my kids more after a little break. Okay, that's an understatement. I appreciate them a lot after a little break.

Oh, please don't misunderstand. I'll miss them the whole time. I'll drive Marty crazy with an insane number of texts asking how they are, what they're doing, and could he please send me some cute pics? He will text me to let me know all about the hysterical things Anderson says and how Amelia is doing the Mickey Mouse hot dog dance, and I'll feel a little pang of longing every single time. We traveled an insane road to have those two crazies, and I don't take a minute for granted. Not one minute. I'll miss them with my whole heart and I'll be so freaking happy to see them Tuesday night--but for now, for tonight, and every day until Tuesday, I'll enjoy this empty king-size bed and the quiet and the learning about the career I love. And I'll return home well-rested, intellectually fed, and ready for some quality time with my loves.

I'm blogging from my iPad, so forgive the lack of pictures. You can always follow me on Instagram--my username is on the top right of the blog. I would also love to hear your thoughts and comments anytime!





2 comments:

  1. Feel no shame! I too think that in order to be the best mommy I can be I need to be the best ME I can be. Sometimes that means spending time without my kid and even without my husband. I am always encouraging new mommy friends to "feed" all three parts of their life: individual, spouse, and mommy. If you overindulge one area, then the others suffer.

    Enjoy your time away filling your mind intellectually and with adult conversations! You'll be better for it, and so will your kids!

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  2. Oh gosh, if I just had a conference to go to!! Recharge, my friend, and enjoy!

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