Mom trip to keep my sanity

Mom guilt is a real thing. No, really, it's the craziest feeling. A couple weekends ago, I finally did it. I ignored the nagging feeling of what my kids are doing every second of the day and booked a flight to Phoenix, Arizona. My mom and her friends booked a relaxing weekend in the dessert and I jumped at the chance to join them.

First things first, I packed an entire suitcase with solely my possessions - I don't get out much without my kids. I packed an unnecessary amount of clothes and shoes, but it was all mine! At the airport, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that the screaming kids weren't mine and to stop spraying and wiping down toilets like I don't normally squat in public bathrooms. Once I got out of my 'mommy travel warrior mode,' I was able to relax and focus on myself.

I didn't open my lap-top once for work, my book, or blog. I took walks, indulged in fancy cocktails topped with cotton candy, and got to spend time with people older than 11 years of age. We spent time is Scottsdale, Jerome, Phoenix, and Rimrock. My favorite area was Jerome, Arizona. We had lunch at a haunted restaurant with a view and got to wander around the eerie shops before dusk.

Rimrock was scenic, we visited the Montezuma well as well as the castle near by. Phoenix and Scottsdale were a lot of fun. We walked through old town Scottsdale and got tattoos in Phoenix.

Yes, we walked into a Harley Davidson shop to buy a T-shirt and walked out with matching cactus tattoos. I may or may not have gotten my nose pierced again - hear me out, it was cheap! I know it seemed like teenage spring break behavior and it probably was, but I needed it!

I finally got to a point in my motherhood, where I want to rebel against it. Listen, for the past 11 years I've constructed this motherhood ideal in my head. No nannies, quality family time, putting my children first were just a few of some unrealistic ideals I'd set for myself. So now that I'm comfortable in MY motherhood - I've scrapped the first unrealistic job description I created and opted for a more 'go with the flow' vibe.

Have you experienced this? Have you ever committed yourself to an unrealistic motherhood ideal that you somehow concocted in your head during one of the first nights in the hospital while your newborn figures out how your nipple produces milk? Or is that just me?

Either way, whether you are a high stress or guilt-filled mom or a mom that just doesn't give a f%$!, taking a break and walking away from motherhood is a necessity. Now, I know you're going to say, 'you can't walk away from being a mother' - YES YOU CAN. Take a break. Disconnect - temporarily. My break lasted 3 days - which was perfect for me. I was just starting to miss my kids, but also had enough time for myself. I plan on arranging an East Coast trip soon - shamelessly, I might add. Because I know when I feel my best as a woman, naturally I will be a dope a$$ momma (if you've followed me for awhile, you may catch on to that one).