Mommy’s Day Off

I left both kids with my mother and brother yesterday. I went to Toronto to reconnect with my friends, my career and the city I love. Yes, what Minneapolis was to Mary on the Mary Tyler Moore Show, Toronto was — and always will be – to me. Just walking down Queen St. in the sunshine (yes, Spring has finally come), heaps of stress melt off my shoulders as I went to meet a friend during her lunch break. Later, I had a delicious dinner with six lovely people at yet another friend’s house. 

In the afternoon, I went to Body Blitz and “took the waters” with another good friend in downtown Toronto.

I have never been a girly-girl, but when I was single and had money, I used to take a spa day about three times a year for regular maintenance. With one exception, I haven’t had the time or money for that kind of indulgence since I became a mother.

I’ve always been curious and fascinated by the idea of a babymoon or a recovery spa visit, but it’s a distant fantasy, unavailable to someone in my mommy-track income bracket. Still, one afternoon by herself for a little me-time is something every mother needs. A spa treatment gift-certificate as a shower present is a perfect idea (just be sure it has no expiry date! It could be more than a year before she has a chance to use it).

Body Blitz knows how important a little me-time is in a stressful situation. They’ve given free entry-cards to mothers whose children are in Sick Kids Hospital so they can have a little break from the bedside. I like knowing that businesses I support can be so very kind.  

Have you ever taken a day off from work and motherhood?