Suffocating

I ran away today.

I needed to remember what it was like to live without having to repeat yourself 4 times before they actually acknowledge your existence, or wipe noses on tissues, towels, and even my own clothing.

I needed there to be just one other person on this planet that could hold the baby (sling or not) and keep her asleep for longer than 22 seconds.

I needed a break from the calls from my husband who after 30 minutes alone with the baby tell you that she's hungry and screaming and won't take a bottle and "just wanted you to know that."

There are no dishes yelling at me from the sink. There are no loads of laundry sending off "don't fold me signals" to anyone but me. There are no piles of shit everywhere screaming at only me to be put away.

And there is no tired, labile, anxious mom with a furrowed brow, grown out bangs held back with a toddler hair clip, and stomach that doesn't require industrial grade spandex to be held in.

It's just me. And you. And a bunch of other moms and dads escaping our own lives.

If only for a moment.

And then I turned off my computer.

Comments

[Gina]

Isn't it funny how the grocery store seems to be an escape these days? A couple of months ago I told my husband I was going there and stopped to get an hour long pedicure on the way. I used to hate going to the grocery store...

[mrs.chicken]

Yup.

xoxox

[Asianmommy]

Sounds very nice!

[Nicole]

Man I wish I could do that..

Even my moments of escape on the PC turns into, a letter typed in between telling my toddler to stop [whatever], and praying my 11 month old doesn't awaken, and my husband doesn't need something done right this second.

[steff]

I did not run, I hid.
I lost my shit and sobbed, today I have puffy eyes and a hang over headache without the benefit of a party. :-)

[Linda]

Good for you!!! A Baby Bunching best this week. :-) Hope you had a peaceful weekend. Probably not....but one can hope. Hang in there.

[Amanda]

Good for you! I run away about once every 2-3 months. I get up early and in his still groggy state, I tell my husband, "Honey, I'm going grocery shopping." I also go out for breakfast and whatever else I feel like doing. The trip usually takes at least 4 hours.

[Red Cup Mom]

Heh. I so feel for you. I actually said out loud today, I am going to run away. To which the four year old said, Mommy don't run away, I will be sad. Shit.

[Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah]

I am so jealous.

[Oh, The Joys]

Are you home? Am here the whole break - 2 weeks off. Not working... can I entertain you?

[MommyNamedApril]

good for you. i ran away this afternoon too. and i turned my phone off for TWO WHOLE BLESSED HOURS. i returned to a feverish snot-nosed child who i then accompanied to urgent care for a diagnosis of ear AND sinus infection. but it was ok. because i got away. and i SO NEEDED IT.

[Asha {Parent Hacks}]

I hear ya, Kristen. xoxoxo

[Jill]

Hope it helped. We all need to escape once in awhile!

[Tarasview]

I hear ya. Ah the joys of parenthood.

[Rae Ann]

I feel for you. I need to find a way to run away myself.

[M]

Totally relate, been running away like that for years now :)

[Kelly]

For that very reason I love going to the grocery store every week. I put on my nicest, non-stained shirt and clean pants and do something with my hair besides the hair clip. I love the grocery store!

You should run away more. It's good for you.

[Heather]

I relate completely.

[Heather]

I ran away today too. I told my husband that I needed today off (he gets lots of days away). It has been wonderful. Of course a mom's day off still entails nursing a picky baby and Christmas shopping, but at least I am just one in the crowd.

[Goldfish]

Baby is sleeping. Husband is tired. Big kids are dangerously wound up. I'm "escaping" to the grocery store (but maybe I'll change my thrown-up-upon shirt first). And you know what's sad? I'm looking forward to it. I'm right with you....

[Angela]

Good for you. I know how you feel. Husband gone SO much, and there's simply no one else there to pick up the slack. Or he is there, and he might as well not be. I'm glad you've found some kind of respite. It's just as important as being there for you kids. You've got to be there for you too.

[Suebob]

Good for you. Moms are humans too and people (by people, I mean "husbands") seem to forget that.

[Courtney]

Oh how i understand...oh too well...i need to turn off my computer as there is cleaning to be done that wont be done by anyone but the screaming mom who has the same shirt on from 5 days ago (and every day inbetween).

[sara]

i hear you. i ran away a few nights ago for a neighborhood mom's night out. it was the first time since my son was born 5 months ago that i left him in order to go do something fun. and it was a breath of fresh air...the first time in 5 months when i got to be "sara" and not "mommy"

[Heather]

ditto. I made the mistake of looking back at pics from earlier in the year and flashbacks of my screamy reflux babe actually made me grateful for his current toddler shriekfests. Those I can laugh at.

[Bill]

Kudos to you for making me look up the word "labile." :)

[Amber Stubbs]

Good for you! I have a 7 month-old baby and just recently he's gotten very attatched and clingy. He's such an amazing little baby and everyone (literally) loves him. I'm not exaggerating. (sp?) He has a way of captivating everyone. People are naturally drawn to him. So it's a little flattering that this person prefers ME to ANYONE else. Flattering and a little overwhelming. I'm running away tomorrow to see my bestie and exchange Chritmas gifts. Enjoy yourself today!