I just got back from a weekend getaway in Houston with my man and wow, did we need it! I didn’t even realize how much we needed it until I was there, having fun, with my guy, acting like a couple of teenagers. Why was it so much fun, you ask? Oh, partly because we left the kids at home.
We LOVE our kids, let me tell you. We’re obsessed with them, actually. But we desperately needed time to focus on each other. Here’s what I learned on this trip:
#1 :: No kids means no distractions.
A weekend away without kids is a weekend without changing diapers, feeding them, bathing them, dressing them, picking up after them, etc. Sounds like paradise, right? Not to mention the best sleep of your life. Book the trip, now. You’ll thank me later.
#2 :: You get to remember what it’s like to date your spouse again.
If you’ve been with your person for a while now, you may have forgotten what it’s like to date them. Rule of thumb- never stop dating your spouse. Every minute away from the kids will feel like you’re dating all over again. Transport back to your dating days and pull out all your best moves like it’s the first time you met.
#3 :: It can be cost effective.
A quick two night getaway does not have to break the bank. The most expensive thing for us was the hotel room and food. We did things like ride bikes around the city, take a walk in the park, and visit the science museum (which was OUTSTANDING, by the way). Camping is also a very cost effective weekend getaway, which is next on our list!
#4 :: You get pulled out of your comfort zone.
Uber was our best friend, until we had a nightmarish experience. Our Uber driver did not know how to use the GPS and he made every wrong turn possible, drove us in a complete circle around the city, which landed us right back where he picked us up. It was a very uncomfortable situation (and yes, I did get my money back), but together we got through it, and now we have a funny story to laugh about. You may be put in uncomfortable situations at times, but those make for the best stories to tell later on!
#5 :: It’s an adventure.
It’s really fun if you go somewhere you’ve never been before. Part of the fun is figuring out where to go, what to do, and how to get there. It really brings out an adventurous side of your partner that you may not usually see on a daily basis. A fun thing we like to do is download the iMovie app and create a music video of our trips. We are ALWAYS rewatching the videos to relive our adventures.
#6 :: You have the opportunity to learn about your spouse.
Seeing your partner in a different environment really highlights parts of them
selves that you may not usually see. You can finally have some time alone with them, without any distractions, to talk, laugh, and cut-up like you did before you had kids. You and your partner are forever changing through each phase of life and getting away will allow you to rediscover each other in ways you haven’t seen before.
I hope to take many more weekend getaways with my man. If I ever feel overwhelmed, bogged down, or too routine with our daily lives, I know it’ll be time to book the trip. With kids thrown in the mix, sometimes it’s crucial to your marriage or relationship to stop, take a step back, and turn towards each other to reconnect again. Take the fun weekend getaway without the kids and channel your inner teenager. You’ll be sure to come back refreshed and ready to give your kids the best, fun version of yourself!
