A few pointers for parents who need a breather from your kids.

Taking a weekend away from your kids is not a crime. As a matter of fact, it can be a necessity.  Parents can sometimes get consumed in the schedules. The week to week barrage of work, school functions, homework and extracurricular activities can turn you into role models, taxi drivers and guidance councilors. Parents need the time away from being parents to realize that they are still a couple. Back before you were parents, your time felt limitless – days and days were spent falling in love. A weekend away from the kids can recall those days in a finite way. If done in the right away, you can not only spend two days that can strengthen a relationship. You can build a foundation for a relationship that is built to last.

Set the Guidelines

En route to your destination set the groundwork for the weekend. It is okay to talk about your kids but let’s not overdo it. If you are taking a Peak-End in a city that can be kid friendly, scout a few spots that your kids may enjoy and plan a future family weekend but let that be it. Both parties should agree to spend the weekend free of all tensions and let’s face it sometimes your kids and their futures are full of tension. You are parents and the kids being in your conversations are inevitable but just remember you talked about other topics when you were just two people getting to know each other and this is a chance of rediscovery.

Do Not Spend the Whole Weekend in Bed

I know the temptation is to spend the whole weekend rekindling that fire that may be missing in working parents’ lives. Resist temptations, go on dates. While you are in another town, actually go out and see the town. Eat in a restaurant you would never take your kids. See sites that your kids would not be interested in. Dive into the arts of any given area. Go see a jazz band play. Drink lattes at night in a street-side café. Make sure you hold hands. Steal kisses in a taxi ride. Drink drinks with silly names in oversized cups, if that is your thing. Wake up late, without an alarm, in each other’s arms. Be silly and laugh at one another. There was a reason you guys are together before the kids, here is your chance to remember.

A Peak-End is yours

From Friday to Sunday, you are free to write your own romantic story. Even if you can not get out of town for the weekend, get a hotel room in town and go do things you haven’t done before. See places in your town you have never seen. My recommendation is to take a Peak-End for each season, one every three months. If that is not possible, then do it whenever you can. You will be surprised about how much it reinvigorates you as a couple as well as parents. Happy parents make happy kids and who doesn’t like to smile.     

Written by Derrick Bracey