Five days without the kids!
I finally decided to practice what I preach and left the boys for five days while my husband and I got away. Austin, who is 12 years old, has ADHD, Asthma, and very strong willed and Yaakov, who is 11 years old, and has Aspergers. The boys stayed with their grandmother Sunday through Monday and then with my best friends Tuesday through Thursday.
It had been the first time I left them for any length of time since my husband, Jacob and I went to Cancun in 2006. A trip to Las Vegas was the plan this time, and even though I was going with my husband he would be spending most his time in a conference for work.
I would love to say it was an easy being away from the kids, but let’s face it I am a mom who is always with her kids and taking a break and putting my husband ahead of them isn’t the easiest practice for me.
Though if I think about it I feel that I should be putting my husband before the kids, one day my kids will be grown and it will him and me who will be left and if I haven’t taken the time to feed that relationship how can I expect it to be strong when it is us who is left in our home. With that being said, I spent a lot of time by myself and that was probably the hardest. I mean my life in general is scheduled between kids, kid’s appointments, work, AiN, and housework and being able to do nothing was going to be different.
Two of the five days we were gone we spent time traveling to and from Vegas. We did stop at Calico Ghost Town where we explored and took pictures. I, of course, texted the pictures to the kids because just last month we spent some time talking about ghost towns so I just had to share our experience with them.
Not being gamblers, we spent time exploring the strip for experience and the sights more than anything else. I did expect it to be a little more wild then what I experienced, so I was surprised by the rush of people but really how relax it was.
Getting up early and eating breakfast with my amazing husband, making sure I was around for lunch and eating dinner together became our habit.
But honestly, you found me either in bed reading when it was too hot outside or at the pool reading. I was hoping to come home with a great tan, and I guess there will just have to be a next time.
A few issues with the kids did come up, such as an asthma attack and some minor behavior issues, but they managed without me. It was having people in their life that I trusted and knowing they would have it handled.
On Wednesday I purposely didn’t text or call the boys to allow myself that break and even though I knew my oldest was having asthma issues I knew I would get a call if things got too bad.
As nice as the break was away from the kids, and I am truly grateful for the time. I would never stay at Las Vegas Hotel (LVH) again. We spent at least two and half hours trying to fix mistakes that were the hotel’s fault. Though the staff was nice and they did fix the mistakes it was the overall having to spend so much time getting them to fix the problems. (Been home a week and still dealing with it)
Once again, here I am a parent of a special needs child and I made myself take care of me and my husband for five days.
It is the best thing I could do for our marriage, family, and AiN.
I was able to rest and I am refreshed and able to live my life!
I took the time to practice what I preach, so I am begging you to take some time for yourself and remember you are a wonderful parent and you will be just as good if not better if you take some time for yourself.