This is the time of year when I typically want to run away from my family. We very rarely get away. The last “real” vacation that I had was over three years ago, and I can’t tell you the last time that my husband and I vacationed together.

Yes, there are times that you need to be away from your kids. You need to regenerate emotionally and physically. Past blogs have talked about sending kids to respite, but it’s perfectly OK or mom (or dad) to leave for respite too.

About this time last year I began to plan my get away. I found a bed and breakfast near Madison, WI that was willing to give me a discounted rate because I was coming during the week, and November in Wisconsin during the week is not a popular time. I left on a Wednesday morning and did my own thing, then met up with my Lay Academy group on Friday afternoon.

It was wonderful. I didn’t have a lot of money, but it didn’t matter. I roamed around Madison, which I had been to for specific purposes before, but never just to see the city. I stopped in little shops, toured the capital, grabbed some popcorn to snack on and just roamed. Then I found a yarn shop. I was in heaven. It also had a little café in the back, and loads of books. I sat among all the skeins of yarn, sipping a chai tea, and reading knitting books.

On my last “free” day, I went to a local winery and sampled some wine. Good thing to do at noon. I bought a couple of bottles of wine, along with some cheese and crackers, and took them to the hotel to share with my friends that night.

So, what is the point of this story? You don’t need to plan a huge costly vacation in order to refill yourself.

I have even hosted moms in my house for their get aways. I live out in the country so it’s nice and quiet. I’m within a few miles of a day spa, which I usually treat the moms to. We are close enough to Milwaukee and Chicago, that anyone who wants to do some shopping can do that. We’ve gone to the county fair, done the Jelly Belly factory tour, and many other “Wisconsin tourist” things. Mostly the moms just enjoy not having to deal with kids.

Plan a day, or several, for yourself, where you do what YOU want to do. I promise the kids will survive under the care of someone else for a few days.

I can't afford a vacation right now, and my family has been taking advantage of everything that I do for the, so yesterday I declared myself "on strike". I am only doing things for myself. I am not cooking, cleaning, doing anyone's hair, giving baths, or all the usual things that I do. Maybe my family will realize how much I actually do, and why I feel the need to get away.

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