5 Types of Trips Every Mom Should Take

There are countless reasons why traveling alone is a good idea, but once you become a mom, the thought of spending any extended amount of time solo becomes even more appealing. It doesn't have to be a grand getaway — even heading to a local hotel for a night or two will do the trick — but it's crucial to maintaining your sanity, not to mention catching up on sleep! This is one trip that's all about self-care, so don't forget to pack a face mask and your favorite book.

If you're parenting with a partner, you're probably not the only one in your house who needs a break — or an uninterrupted adult conversation. A couples trip gives you time to reconnect and really enjoy each other away from all the distractions you face on the regular. A real chat, a little romance, and a lot less laundry and logistics will help you get back to appreciating the relationship that your family was built upon in the first place.

Whether you have one, two, or five children, chances are you spend more of your days getting from point A to point B, thinking about dinner, and reminding them to brush their teeth than you do really connecting with your offspring. Which is why planning a getaway with just you and one of your youngsters is such a treat.

When it's just the two of you, there's time to let them lead the day's activities, indulge their requests, and see where their curious questions take you. Without sibling dynamics and with your full attention, you might even get to enjoy a different version of your child than you're used to. And they'll get a memory of special time spent with their mom to hold onto forever.

Girls trips are good for your health. No really, science says so! You know how refreshed and recharged you feel after you've shared dinner with girlfriends? This is that but so much better. You can let loose late into the night, laugh longer about inside jokes, drink another glass of wine without worry, and really connect with women you probably don't get to see as much as you'd like since you've been busy raising humans. A girls weekend is such an enjoyable way to maintain friendships and make lasting memories.

Mom life can be monotonous. But there's nothing like shaking things up to get you right out of that rut. It doesn't have to be as dramatic as traveling to the Great Wall of China or jumping out of an airplane, but getting out of your comfort zone is the best way to remind yourself who you are, mom status aside.

Get a group together and go on a camping trip. Run an out of town 10K with a friend. Try a yoga retreat. Switch up your annual family beach vacation for something more bold. Whatever you choose, do something or go somewhere that gets your blood pumping and pushes you as a person.