A Travel Guide For Escaping Mums

Catherine Péchèr - 11 Aug 18

I recently came back from a lovely city break with the girls. It’s a trip we take every year. Three years ago I joined them in sunny Barcelona but certain life circumstances (namely giving birth and then having a 12 month old) means that Budapest and Stockholm somehow passed me by. This year I was determined; my daughter was old enough to not need me for a few days and — at four months pregnant — I knew the next year or two would be off limits. This, then, is my guide to a girls’ holiday family-free.

Day 1.
Your flight isn’t until lunchtime but your husband takes your daughter out for the day so you can finally get around to the packing you said you would do all week. Say an emotional goodbye to your little darling while she barely notices you and demands more Mr Tumble. Spend the first hour of the morning eating animal biscuits and watching average comedy on the Beeb to try and distract from your separation anxiety. Finally get round to packing and despair of your lack of non-mumsy clothes; decide you can just borrow some from your significantly more stylish, and generous, friends. By the time you hit the airport, check in, and board the plane the worrying can be over and the holiday can begin.

Day 2.
Wake up abruptly at 7am and wonder why no-one is shouting ‘Mummy’ crossly through the monitor, realise where you are, feel bad for about 30 seconds, roll over, and go back to sleep. Wake up again at 9am, have breakfast, a leisurely shower, and spend the rest of the morning exclaiming how wonderful this is to your bemused friends, for whom showering is a daily chore rather than an occasional treat. After a day walking around the city without pushing a pram, carrying a ten-tonne changing-bag or answering adorable but incessant questions from an inquisitive toddler, get home, and read a book for an hour while drinking tea in bed. Try to remember the last time you did this and fail. FaceTime your family and see they both seem clean, fed, dressed, and happy. The TV is on and toys are everywhere, life has gone on as normal without you. Put on a dress and go out for dinner.

Day 3.
Repeat morning routine. Realise your friends are probably sick of hearing of the joys of showers and books. Determine to spend less time talking about —and to — your offspring today and behave like a normal human being with a life of their own. Fail at the first hurdle when you get a gorgeous little chat with her about her red coat while she is on her way to watch Daddy play football. Make everybody say hello to her over their breakfast (which they, very kindly, do with gusto; make a mental note to thank said friends for being great). Have another fun day with the girls , laugh more than you have in ages, see beautiful things, and eat a whole lot of food. On a crowded tram in the city feel your unborn baby move for the first time. Feel bad that you are so far away from your husband for this moment, but know there are plenty more moments like this to come. That evening receive a video from your husband of an elaborate slinky trail he has made from household objects, ponder if he has made this before or after your daughter has gone to bed, worry slightly for his wellbeing.

Day 4.
Its the final day. It’s as lovely and relaxing as the others. Now home is in sight the want to be there starts building throughout the day. Pop into a souvenir shop to buy a flag for your daughter to wave in people’s faces, receive a video message of your child saying she is excited to give you a cuddle, try not to cry, have a hot chocolate in a fancy cafe, and feel better. Enjoy the last few hours of freedom as you wander round the final museum and then slowly make your way to the airport whilst reliving the best jokes and events of the weekend with the girls. Sit on a delayed plane silently fuming that it is keeping you away from your favourite people on earth.
Arrive home. It’s late at night, the house looks like a bomb has hit it, your child is asleep, and your husband has fallen asleep fully dressed waiting up for you. Wake him up but then immediately go to the nursery. Watch her sleep for a bit then decide to risk it for a cuddle. As she stirs softly whisper to her that you will never leave her again, while silently listing in your head possible city break destinations for you and the girls.

The next day and week you will feel more energetic and relaxed than you have done in months, if not years. Sometimes we don’t realise how tired or stressed we are until we have a break and start to feel better. For me this holiday came at the best time, I needed to get away badly — even if it was just to realise all the things I had back home.

Catherine Péchèr

I’m a midwife, mum of two and recent expat. I love blogging and writing lists about life, parenthood and everything in between. Some are on here but loads more are at greatmindsmakelists.worspress.com or you can find me on Facebook or Instagram.

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