I’m a stay-at-home mom and every three months I don’t regret leaving my husband and three kids for a solo vacation – here’s why

Every mother should go on a solo trip and spend a while with herself. Sierra Pierce, founder family blog about travel and lifestyle Pierce Casa, makes it value going a minimum of once a quarter.

He says that because of this he can show his family the perfect version of himself.

“Getting away for a while gives me clarity,” he says. “It gives you time to reflect on what is important to you and what brings you joy, because as mothers we often lose ourselves when we are surrounded by our children all the time.”

Pierce has been married for five years, but to her current husband for a total of 10. She met him three weeks after she moved from New York to Atlanta to chase her dreams. Pierce says that before she had children, she spent a lot of time traveling, in search of recent adventures, and more.

But life is different now for the stay-at-home mom of three, who says she has almost no time to get her nails done or for what she calls “little things” like going out for coffee and drinks with friends.

“I have to be very careful with my friendships now and plan dates with friends at least two months in advance,” she says. “I know it sounds crazy, but our kids are active and sometimes things come up in a short amount of time. Besides, my husband’s career is demanding.”

Her latest adventure was to Sarasota, Florida, home to a few of the perfect beaches and the perfect place to calm down and feel good.

Being a mom is like having 2.5 full-time jobs

Work for moms never ends and is commonly demanding. AND Welch’s study was performed in 2018, it was found that moms with children aged 5–12 work on average 98 hours a week, which is similar to working 2.5 full-time jobs. Researchers found that the common mother frequently worked 14 hours a day. On average, moms began their day at 6:23 a.m. and ended at 8:31 p.m., leaving only one.7 hours of free time in between.

“Being a stay-at-home mom is harder than people think,” she says. “You can’t just sit at home and relax. You’re constantly cleaning, you’re constantly cooking, and you find that your needs are constant. It was easier for me to go to work because I remember being able to close the office door.”

Being a wife and mom is something Pierce would not change for the world, but she says it is important for mothers to take a break, even when it’s just for a day.

Pierce knows that talking to your spouse could also be uncomfortable, but it will be important. She says her husband, who works multiple jobs to support the family, was very understanding when she needed a break.

“My husband noticed that my mood was different and I wasn’t smiling as much when I reached the point of burnout,” she says. “It is also important that I escape so that his needs are met as well.”

She adds, “He asked me how he could help, and now we check in regularly to see where each other is and whether our needs are being met.”