Spacation Day – Mom-Me Time Revisited

In one of my first blogs, I wrote about the need for time with myself to regroup and recharge.  It was especially important since I was a new, adoptive mom and my son, The Littlest E, was just over a year old.  Now that my son is in preschool going half days two days a week, I have a few extra hours to myself.

Usually, those hours are spent running errands, cooking, writing and doing regular household chores.  One would think six hours is a lot of time, but with the commute to preschool and the daily work that needs to get done, it doesn’t allow for a lot of Mom-Me time.  I’m sure I’m like most of the readers who are moms that stay at home; I don’t have a nanny or fulltime sitter, so it’s all on me to accomplish the day’s tasks.  Therefore, the necessity for Mom-Me time is still prevalent.  I confess I sneak in an occasional DVRed television show while The Littlest E naps though it’s not the same as official Mom-Me time.

If I can have a couple of uninterrupted hours to myself to get away, that’s all it takes.  I come home with new energy and a fresh perspective, ready to tackle the rest of the day or night with vim and vigor.  Another confession – as time has gone on and I’ve adjusted to mommyhood, it has gotten easier to tell my understanding husband I need to take a break.  No longer does the plea come at the end of pulling my hair out (figuratively, of course), or is the finale of a melodramatic meltdown.  If I put it out there, my request is honored.  And I reciprocate when my husband needs his time alone, too.

Fortunately, The Littlest E’s Mamama (my mom) was in town recently and was more than happy to, in fact she was quite eager to, get me out of the house so she could babysit.  Mamama spent the morning with her youngest grandson who doesn’t see her all that often, The Littlest E visited with his Mamama whom he loves, and I had some splendid Mom-Me time.  It was the perfect scenario!

I previously made plans with a fellow mommy friend to go to the Olympic Spa, a Korean day spa for women only, while Mamama babysat.  I heard about it and was thrilled to go.  For roughly four hours and $15.00 (massages were extra), it was absolute bliss.  There were several hot pools, one of which was a mugwort tea pool.  Mugwort is an herb that the spa’s website says “promotes circulation,” helps with the immune system, and “detoxifies.”  It felt like sitting in a massive cup of tea, yet it was so relaxing.

The spa had steam rooms, saunas, and a heated marble floor where you could lie down with a blanket and sleep.  Women of all ages, shapes and sizes were there, doing exactly what my friend and I were doing, having a soothing, calming, and enjoyable time.  All in all, it was fabulously restorative and I had fun with my friend.  The only drawback, I wore my contact lenses and couldn’t stay in the sauna for too long for fear they would shrivel up.

There was a restaurant attached to the spa that served delicious Korean food.  For a few more dollars we had a yummy lunch.  Since the entire facility was for women only, we ate lunch in our bathrobes, which other women were also doing.  The entire experience that morning was wonderful, soothing, and rejuvenating.  As I sit here typing this piece, I recall the feeling of utter relaxation.  I’ll take it with me until the next time I head out to the Olympic Spa.  If you’re in the Los Angeles area and have the time, you may want to check it out, or if you live in a metropolitan area, there may be a Korean spa close to you.  I highly recommend taking a little spacation day for some meaningful, relaxing Mom-Me time if you can.  You’ll be happy you did!

Image: choffee (John)