Since my job, for lack of a more accurate word, goes with me, it’s hard to define a “vacation”. We all went up to the mountains last month thanks to a generous invitation to join family on their vacation, and it was great, but the three-day sojourn didn’t really reset my stress levels as well as I would have liked. As pathetic as it sounds, a “real” vacation for this momma is going to grandma’s house. There’s other small children for Pixie to play with, it’s a change of pace, and there’s other adults for momma to interact with. Seriously: my house is packed but it still gets lonely. Some days it’s really hard not having adult coworkers to talk to. It’s also a great break having other adults around to interact with the kids. Sometimes I play with my sister’s kids and sometimes she plays with mine. Grandma works during the weekdays, but when she’s around, she’s almost always up for a baby.
So this is my vacation. I packed the kids up, left the Hubbles with the dogs, and came to my mother’s house. It can be super crazy and chaotic here, but after the first couple of days I could feel that chronic stress level dropping. Sure, I miss the pooches and I miss my husband lots, but this kind of “vacation” really helps me come back home rejuvenated and ready to take control of our house and our own craziness again.
I think the heavy disconnect from my usual technology makes a difference, too. I forgot my phone charger, so my battery ran out the first day I was here and I really don’t care. My husband can call me here, and I told my usual text chatter friend that I was disconnected. I check my email, reader, and facebook a couple of times a day, and that’s about it. I play with the kids, I spend time in the kitchen, and I take naps with my 3 month old baby. Life is good.
Life is good back at home, too, but different. It’s also funny how things come around. I was close with my mom when I was a child, then I was distant and independent, and now I find myself, as a mother, closer with my mom again. These relationships are sadly underrated in mainstream US culture these days. We worry about being completely independent to the extent that we lose our sense of family. I also suspect this has something to do with my generation’s general dependence on “expert” advice, in books, articles, and even classes, in order to do totally normal activities. But that’s a pretty complex topic, so I won’t get into it now. (You’re welcome!)
Okay, guys, what’s your favorite vacation? What really helps you unwind and recharge?
*Photo by EronsPics, used under Creative Commons.
