Why I went on a staycation without my sons

I’m a full-time, stay-at-home mom who manages a business, a home and a blog on a part-time basis. Come school vacations, and the pressure increases as the kids wake up with me in the morning and sleep late at night with me too. This means that there are days when I am with the kids 24×7.

Over the last 5 years of mommyhood, I’ve seen various friends go on holidays without their kids – some on a girls’ trip and others on a mini-moon with their husbands. My husband and I always thought that we would not enjoy a holiday without the kids and we would not want to deprive them of the pleasure and learning that comes with travelling and being in a new place.

But, if there is one thing being a parent teaches you, it’s that NEVER judge another parent’s choices…and NEVER say never!

This summer I learned that after spending almost every waking (and sleeping) minute of my day with 2 clingy kids – I needed a break! I needed some time away from them, just a short while to myself and my best friend – my husband.

We decided to book a 1-night staycation during the summer and leave the kids in the care of family. I’m blessed to have loving family in Dubai, including my in-laws, my parents and my sister. Even though my kids are comfortable with both grandparents, my kids have the best time in the company of my sister’s kids.

We chose the Movenpick in Jumairah Beach Residences, Dubai, just a 40 minute drive away from home. We were lucky to get a room upgrade from them during check-in. The hotel itself was great, be it the room, restaurants, the staff and the amenities like the swimming pool.

It was great to be at the pool just by ourselves, with a book and drink in hand, rather than carrying swim diapers, hooded towels, bath toys, inflatable floats, extra change of clothes, tons of snacks and drinks, etc. to the pool!

We tried new places to eat and drink and walked the entire length of JBR late into the night. I even enjoyed an entire ice cream cone by myself! Next morning, we decided to skip breakfast and slept in till late morning. As any mother of young kids would agree, it was liberating!

Looking back, the weekend staycation and leaving the kids behind is not something I am proud of. But, it made us truly happy. I know that I was more excited and eager on my drive back home, than my drive to the hotel. The smiles I got from the kids when I got back, showed that while they were happy to see me, they didn’t seem to mind some time away from me. Maybe they needed this break from their mommy too!