Where do you go when you want to take a break from your kids or spouse?

I very rarely feel like I need a break from my husband and son. I try to get just about all of my housework done while my son is awake and busy playing somewhere else, so that after he goes to bed, I can just pick up any last minute toys that were left in the living room or somewhere. My husband works nights, so he is already gone to work most nights before my son actually gets to sleep. We try to do the bedtime routine together, but usually I'm still in Elliott's room when my husband leaves. After my son is settled in for the night, and I've finished picking stuff up, I have a few minutes all to myself. I usually read, or just watch TV for a while. Sometimes I get on mylot (like right now) or do any of my writing work that still needs to get done, but I try to do that earlier in the day, before my son gets up or while he's playing or having a snack. When my husband is working days, it's harder to find those minutes for myself. One thing that I do to get a break, is just get in the car and drive. I go buy groceries or whatever. I do take my son with me, but he loves riding in the car, so he just sits in the back and looks out the window while I drive and get some time to clear my head.

With four kids a break is a real treat!! Even as I'm writing this my 2nd son is next to me doing some writing, my 3rd son and daughter came in to ask if they could have some ice cream and 15 year old is looking for a CD so he has been in and out. Most of the time I don't mind (except for my 5 year old daughter sitting outside the toilet making comments!!). When I need a break my hubby will take the kids out for a few hours. Recently it has been very hot here and I get sick because of it, so last week hubby took the kids for lunch then to a couple of stores and picked up a DVD. I had a good sleep and a nice long shower so when they came back I felt recharged and was able to do something with each child. When hubby is to busy I go into my not listening mode, I just say yes to everything and then later I wonder what all the mess is!!

I don't have children, and I don't plan to have small children but I do have an older step-son. He was here for the summer. He's a teenager now, and I know he likes to have the place to himself for a bit, so when his Dad was at work, and I wanted time out too, I'd go across the street to the cafe, and he'd take the time to use his father's computer, and just do his own thing. When my sister and I wee little and my mother needed time out, she'd go play volley ball with her friends.

Whenever I need breadk, I make some programs with my friends. When we are with our friends, we just forgets all our problems and really we have a careless fun filled atmosphere.

Walks! They are great- When I need to get away I grab a dog and go for a walk- Or I grab a book and hit the sack and I read for a bit- Sometimes I just go out back on the hammock and chill- It’s not often that I try to get away from them- I’m at work during the day- so I love the time after work – spending it with my daughter and sig. other.

I go for a walk, sometimes I shut the bedroom door, take a nice long bath and read too, or sometimes I go for a nap. I tell my husband if he can watch my son while I have time off for a while. He is really good about things like this. It's getting a lot easier now that my son is older i.e. 5 but still he does need watching.

In the summer it's very hard for me to get away from the kids. I have a 7 year old a 5 year old(both boys) a 2 year old girl and a 10 month old boy. I do agree that being a full time mommy is hard work and stressing at times and yes t has it's great rewards with all of kids. I try to get the older kids to go ride their bikes while the younger two are napping and there is my little bit of quite time. In the fall and winter it's easier to get away. I go bowling on saturday nights. my second great passion in life. My first is my family. Anyways i joined a bowling leage and i love it. I get away for about 3 toi 4 hours a week just myself hanging out with some good friends. I love to bowl and the family knows it. The kids try to go with me some times but it's a pain in the tush to watch the kids and bowl at the same time and besides i go there to get away from them. i get a little quite time in the morning if the kids don't get up to early but all parents know this. I can't wait until school starts back up. then i will only have 2 kids here at home and i can work more with my daughter and get her ready for school.

I go to play some football - wife can't play for a number of reasons :) and LUCKY ME - I don't have chidlren till now, haha. SO - every thursday after work I go to play football with my friends - that really relaxes me - yes - my foeet hurt, but my head is clear and I feel pretty good!

Go on holiday