Operation Escape Accomplished!

Two blissful hours of adult conversation, nobody tugging at my trouser leg looking for something, no battles over unacceptable toddler behaviour, no crying, no whining and no demands from anyone!

My long overdue break with other moms was last night. It was in apparent jeopardy at least twice though. The first time being when my Husband called Tuesday to say he had to go away to Naples Wednesday, and stay overnight for work - but smart guy that he is, he delivered this news, and a babysitting solution all in the same sentence! The second time was when we were getting perilously close to the time when I was supposed to meet my friends and the babysitters still hadn't arrived!? I could literally feel the tears of disappointment smarting my eyes at the thought that I wasn't going to make it out.

I don't mean to paint my toddler as a tearaway - she's not (at least not all the time). Lately however, I have felt overwhelmed more than a few times at my complete lack of effectiveness in parenting her positively (therein lies a juicy blog post methinks!), and so I needed OUT for a little while, to stop me feeling even more overwhelmed.

I have never left my kid(s) with a babysitter before - like a real, paid for, babysitter. The only times in 2.5 years that we have gone out as a couple without the children is when we have family visiting from Ireland. One of my friends asked 'how was it?' 'leaving the kids with a babysitter for the first time, how did you feel about doing it?' I felt confused, it hadn't even crossed my mind, not even for a fleeting second, to feel bad about it. So then (briefly) I felt bad for not feeling bad. I was so single-mindedly focused on escaping! So suddenly I considered would Miss E miss me? Would she be difficult? Would the baby fuss? Then just as suddenly I put it out of my mind confident that Beth, (the babysitter) could handle it!

So since I'm making myself out as a mom who could care less if her kids cry when she's out - I imagine you'll all cast me out for sitting eating my meal and secretly smiling to myself that since my husband was out of town I'd get to sleep all night in our bed by myself - with the comforter to myself, stretching out right across the bed if I wanted to. I didn't factor into this the likelihood that Miss E would trot into the room during the night and get in beside me as she does most nights, but I can deal with her, she doesn't snore - I was still looking forward to a better night's sleep in general. Hmm - I couldn't get to sleep for AGES, I missed him, I guess I must love him or something!

All of us enjoyed our meal together, very grateful that we didn't have to cut pieces up and hand them to little people who always seem more interested in what's on our plate, than their own. We did end up talking a LOT about our kids - we each have children the same age and so we found ourselves comparing our challenges and successes. I'm confident though, with a few more outings we can branch out into other topics, and set the world to rights.

I'm off to check my calendar now so I can schedule another get together in the near future - check your in boxes ladies, and get the hubbies on board - we're doing this again, SOON.