If you’ve had a night away from your husband and kids...

[1wokeuplikethis]

Tell me what you did, how lovely it was and any tips?

For the first time ever (inspired by another post) I’m having two whole nights away by myself. I’ve got very young children and my OH is fully supportive.

I’m actually giddy thinking about it and don’t want to waste a second - or indeed, I want to waste several seconds and hours in blissful selfish indulgence.

Will the hotel give me an ice bucket in my room for my gallons of wine I’m taking? I haven’t decided whether I want to talk to absolutely nobody or mooch about town. Room service or eat out. I’ve got a massage booked before I check in. I CANT WAIT. 15 weeks of being on top of each other, it can’t come soon enough.

You need an I pad with amazon and the ability to watch the entire series of This is Us and Queer Eye. You will need wine, room service, new pyjamas, lucozade for your mild morning hangover and a contraption to keep your wine cool if the hotel can't. You. Are. Welcome.

My DH took DD(18mo) away to his parents for 2 nights, the first time I've been away from her. Although I too was giddy with excitement I prepared myself for the fact I'd be sad when they'd actually gone so planned lots that I would enjoy and keep me busy but also thought about a film I wanted to watch etc so I could chill too.

It worked, I had a great time and had the best DD cuddle ever when they got back 🥰

I never have

I think you need another tired mum to come with you. Hint . . . I mean me

This reminds me of the fabulous night away I had last year in Edinburgh. Booked myself a single room in an amazing hotel but managed to charm my way into an upgrade . Beautiful suite, ordered room service then a massage in the spa and had dinner in the restaurant. One of the best things I’ve ever done!

DH is taking DDs away this weekend. Despite them being 7&9, this is only the second time he's been away overnight with them by himself (not through lack of trying, things just happen when we arrange it.)
My plans mainly involve cleaning, but I'm walking into town for a browse and stopping at M&S food to pick myself a nice dinner for one night.

I had a massive row with DH and teenage sons last year and felt deeply hard done by and taken for granted etc. I turned my phone off and checked into the very lovely local country house hotel. Very expensive. I took some beauty stuff from home. Had a lovely long bubble bath, shave up, face pack, hair mask etc. Ordered lovely room service and a bottle of wine and ate it in a fluffy dressing gown sitting on the bed watching a film. Loved every second. But I then did text my youngest who was 12 and said mummy's having a nice night away and will be home tomorrow. But I barely slept a wink come bedtime with the guilt of the self indulgence of it all. I had a lovely buffet breakfast and went home about 11am but although I'd "taught them a lesson" I felt a bit empty about the experience and my vitriol had disappeared completely. I wish I'd been there with my DH tbh. Would do it again though. As although ultimately it made me feel a bit bad, it had the desired effect on my kids and made them appreciate me for at least a week....

I went to a Buddhist retreat centre by the sea for a long weekend. I am not a Buddhist, but everyone else there was on silent retreat, it was incredibly beautiful and remote, I had a tiny cottage to myself with waves crashing below my window, and they served excellent vegetarian food.

I do this once or twice a year to recharge.
Room service, fluffy dressing gowns, a good book, wine and chocolates.
Shopping the next day, stopping for coffee and a nice lunch.
Bliss

I took a long weekend to visit a friend in Istanbul, ate amazing food, drunk lots of drink, did lots of dancing and had a makeover! Basically went on holiday to my old life. It was so so great for my mental state. Enjoy!

I think doing this every few months is really good for the dad and kid/s too

@mswales, oh, I've adored Istanbul the twice I've been there.

I had something similar planned for friday! My in-laws volunteered to have the kids overnight and DH working back shift so won’t be home until midnight. My plan was to drop the kids off about 5ish, pick up a takeaway from a local cafe for my dinner on my way home and add some nice nibbles etc to my shopping delivery for Friday afternoon to munch while watching —and singing along to— Hamilton on Disney+ for the 6th time since it went on there.

‘D’H announced this evening he has swapped his Friday shift and will now be home from work at 3pm so we get a night together without the kids, which was a nice thought but at the same time not at all what I wanted!

I love the sound of that, I might float this idea past DH myself.

I think wine, books, a really good film or series you've been saving is a good start. Can't decide whether I'd prefer room service (I don't very often stay in hotels that have it!) or eating out. Then wandering around wherever you're staying the next morning and lingering over breakfast and coffee in a lovely cafe.

Let us know how it goes!

I love the sound of these, portable wine cooler is a great idea. My room has 2 sinks so failing that I’ll fill one of them with ice from the shop.

What if I wake up at 7am as normal, know it’s bound to happen on the day I can sleep peacefully until 10am!! Oh well at least I can have a cup of tea in bed (or that lucozade!) and laze rather than running around like a headless chicken from the minute my swollen eyelids are prised open

nighttown would you mind sharing where the retreat is, it sounds amazing?

We have a "religious community" near us that runs retreat type holidays and I've often been tempted, but have always chickened our at the last minute in case it's too "out there" and I seem an obvious fraud.

If I get the chance I take myself (and occasionally a dog) to Dartmoor with my tent and a power bank for my phone. I only stay overnight, but after a lovely walk and dinner either in a pub or cooked over a fire , then a cosy nights sleep in my tent I feel ready not to murder my family to face the world again

I think this may be the way forward. DS is 3.5 and I've never spent a night away from him. Now reading these ideas feeling increasingly jealous and that I may just do it. Maybe it could be an annual treat!

Ah this is the best feeling! I've been lucky enough to do this a few times and I've always gone for a massage and swim in the hotel then room service and a fab breakfast the next day. Bliss!

Oooh, that sounds lovely. Is there a bath? You could take some lovely bath bubbles and lounge.

I would get a load of sushi, some pink fizzy wine and definitely an iPad with a few films and a good series on. A bath bomb. A new book. Go get my nails done earlier in the day. And get some new pyjamas. Which sounds insanely decadent now, but it's what I used to do weekly on my day off pre husband and children.