The Importance of Breaks

I love my kids. That will never change BUT I would not survive without a break or Mommy's night out. Aside from FB and occasional play dates, you rarely get social interaction with other people your age. After constantly saying "NO!", giving someone food, filling sippy cups, changing diapers, taking someone to the bathroom, stopping fights, picking up crap that will just be messed up with TWO minutes later, and doing the never ending piles of laundry, I can't see who wouldn't want a break. Its nice to have a conversation with another person who won't respond with "why?", "I want.." or some language only God knows.

As soon as you get a boyfriend, you have to work a lot harder with your girl relationships. Its so easy to just block everyone out and think you only need him. Once you're married, you either stay in that mind frame or you are always looking to get out. I know I've brushed off my friends for my husband and I know other people who've done it too. It happens but you still have to make an effort. For military wives, who is going to be there for you when he deploys? Or goes on a TDY? Friendships are super important. They keep you sane. Plus, you have to have someone to vent to when your husband is being stupid anyway ;)

I have come to realize that my kids are beginning to define me. I can't go anywhere without them. I LOVE the break but it can be hard to leave them. I'm not sure if its cause I've gotten so self-conscience or if its because I'm with them 24/7 that its weird not to be with them. One of my past neighbors used to say she thought I was a vampire. I only came out at night when Zach was home for the longest time. I've created my own little world and I don't think that's healthy. You need to get out and have a life outside the home. I'm working on that and I've made more of an effort here then I did on Kadena. It took me about 2 years to make friends in Kadena and I've already made lots of friends here. 

The other important one is date nights. You married your husband, not your kids. That is the most important relationship! You have to make sure you get the one on one time away from the chaos. My husband would die without date nights. Our sitter we finally found here just moved back to NY so we're trying to find another one. We started looking for a sitter before we even moved here. That is a really important part for our relationship. I know lots of people who refuse to leave their kids with anyone and never go on dates. I personally don't understand it but I'm not going to judge. For my marriage though, we need those 2 hours out of the house and by ourselves. I love our alone time.


When we were in Okinawa, me and the girls would go to a nail salon once a month. It was such a nice break. Not only was it good to get out of the house but it was also nice to be pampered. Being in a house surrounded by boys, you need those moments! Yes, you NEED it! You need a break. Even if its just making your husband watching the kids for 5 min so you can take a shower by yourself. Those moments help your sanity. That little break is the boost you need to get through the week. I love it. There are times I'll turn on cartoons, pop popcorn, and zone out to my Ipod. You do what you gotta do. All in all, breaks are important and you definitely deserve them. :)

I love these girls. :)