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Health & Fitness

Mom's Night In

Need a break from the hectic schedule of being a mom? Sometimes a mom's night in the solution.

One of the best things about being a mom is that
I’m not alone in my job. Most of my friends are moms with kids of similar ages,
and we can all sympathize with the crazy roster of homework, sports and
after-school activities, and play dates (or, as kids get older, opportunities
to “hang out” with their friends).

It’s always cathartic to get a group of my mom
friends together for a night out sharing appetizers and margaritas so we can
compare notes and sympathize with the rigors of parenting. If my husband can’t
stand in for me, I get a babysitter, but the important thing is to be able to
get away from the routine for just a little while and better yet, to do
something with friends who understand the kinds of achievements, irritations, and
hilarity that I face daily with my kids.

Hitting the town for drinks, dancing, or shopping
with other moms can be fun, but also taxing on the pocketbook. A great
alternative that doesn’t involve a big expense is a “Mom’s Night In,” for wine
and appetizers, or maybe even popcorn and a movie. It doesn’t have to be
anything fancy, and with my friends, there’s no expectation that anyone’s house
be spotless, so once the kids are in bed (or at least tucked away doing a quiet
activity), it’s easy to get the moms together for a change of scenery – even
midweek.

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Whether your tastes run to Pride and Prejudice or Sex in
the City
, movie night is a great activity for any time of year and any kind
of weather. It’s a great forum to laugh together, cry together, point out the
absurdity of life onscreen, and generally kick back and relax without the kids
and without breaking the bank.

Sometimes a change of pace is nice. When vacations
are a distant memory and I’m in the thick of parenting, getting together with
my friends provides a much-needed escape from everyday life. So next time
you’re feeling run down by your routine, grab a couple of
boxes of microwave popcorn and a bag of Skittles, fire up Netflix, and call a
few friends for a Mommy’s Night In!

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