Anyone else fantasise about leaving family life and starting afresh?

[NoHomecomingQueen]

Does anyone else fantasise about running away and leaving their family? I keep imagining boarding a train to Scotland and setting up a new life there. I’d take the dog though.

I don’t think I’m made for family life. I find it so, so hard. I wanted it though! I’m just not very good at it. So as not to drip feed, my son is autistic and it’s so hard. I have my youngest too. I don’t have it half as bad as others. We are financially secure, I have a great and supportive husband and parents.

But I just need some peace to exist.

Just me then!

Yes. I dream about a pretty 2 bed cottage, or a mid terrace 2 up 2 down, a lovely south facing cottage garden. A stable door style back door (so I must be taking the dog) and a little patio for my morning cuppa. None of these things are practical as I have 2 kids, I don’t do gardenening and rarley sit down for a leisurely cuppa. It’s all escapism.

I dream about a lottery win so I could give up work and actually spend quality time with my kids, give them more outdoor time and more of a rural lifestyle. I couldn't be without them, but I reflect sometimes on what my life would be like if I hadn't had children... Job security wouldn't be such an issue because I could just buy a van and live on very little, or move abroad or to any location with just a few months notice, could keep fit and have a social life etc. I wonder if I'd feel devastated and as though something was missing though if I'd never had them. I think there's too much pressure these days to be all things and its no surprise a lot of us dream of less pressure/ more free time somehow.

Yes, I’d like to live in a tiny cottage or terrace with a little sitting out area for coffee. I’d have the occasional gentleman caller, but would live on my own.

The reality is I have biggish house and 3 very much wanted children and a full time stressful job. I try to escape into my dream at least once a day.