Family Roundup: When Mommy Needs A Time Out!

If you're feeling burnt out by the daily grind of parenting, you are not alone. Lake Forest Park psychotherapist and grandmother Elizabeth Clark Stern knows the feeling. “The parenting journey is relentless in its joys and its demands,” she said. “No one can really prepare you for it, no matter how many books you read.”

What are some signs that you need to take a break? Clark Stern says that symptoms of “mom burnout” run the gamut: sleeplessness, eating too much or too little, irritability, outbursts of crying or rage, lethargy, exhaustion, feelings of worthlessness, resentment, envy, anxiety, depression, and loss of interest in sex or “quality” intimate time with your partner.

Sometimes you can go into “overdrive,” getting too perfectionistic about the care of the baby, housework or being a “perfect mom.” Or you can simply feel unexcited about life, not caring what you look like, what you wear.

Starting small

If you are fried, Clark Stern says it is time to take a break. To begin taking more time for yourself, you can start small. Get a massage or facial at at or the , while your partner or a grandparent wrangles your children.

Need a break with a child in tow? Check out the Orange Blossom Society in Redmond where you can relax with a cup of coffee or take a class while your child plays or takes his or her own class. Or head over to the Kid’s Cove play area at and visit with a friend while your kids play. Would you like a Friday evening off? Make a reservation for the monthly Friday Parents Night Out program at . Your child will be entertained with fun and games and even get a pizza dinner while you catch dinner and a chick flick at nearby .

Blocks of time

When you have the luxury of a whole morning or afternoon away, check out the Salish Lodge and Spa in Snoqualmie. Book any spa treatment and you’ll also enjoy use of the spa’s beautiful soaking pools and steam rooms. Visit the Salish's website for monthly spa specials and deals on accommodations and dining. In March, take advantage of the "Women Who Wine Wednesdays" specials. From 4 PM to 10 PM, you can complete your visit to the Salish with a glass of wine while you enjoy live music in resort’s casual dining restaurant, The Attic, for just $3.

Weekend Strategies

Graduate to taking a weekend away — alone, or with friends. You don’t have to hop a plane to get that “getting away” feeling. Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum and Skamania Resort in Stevenson often offer weekend spa retreat specials that allow you to relax in beautiful surroundings and enjoy great deals on spa treatments.

If you are on a tight budget, you can still escape by offering to housesit while a friend is on vacation or traveling on business. Set yourself up for uninterrupted movie watching and reading some great books, not by Dr. Seuss.

Pursuits of happiness

Take time away to pursue a neglected passion, such as art, yoga or kayaking. Many creative Northwest moms plan annual “domestic jail breaks” to attend the spring and fall ArtFest and JournalFest conferences at Fort Worden State Park on the Olympic Peninsula. Discover Yoga in Redmond offers weekend retreats on Whidbey Island. During the summer, Outdoor Odysseys on San Juan Island offers three-day guided Women on Water (WOW) trips for beginner to advanced paddlers.

When you take the time to recharge your own batteries, you’ll be a better mom and your family will be happy to have you back, relaxed and rejuvenated and ready to tackle the next parenting challenge.

Check out this week's Bellevue Patch Grab & Go Kids Planner, by Ruby Slipper Guide to the Eastside. You can also check out this week's deals at Frugal Family.

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