I ran away for a few days. But I’m back. And I was never that far. And I did what I needed to do.

I suppose we all have our runaway stories. My kids have both done it- or at least attempted it.
Not sure what that says about me as a Mommy.
Granted neither one of them got far, they were definitely missed and certainly the reason behind the attempt wasn’t taken lightly.

I know I had my share of runaway attempts growing up. The worst part was when I’d thought I’d runaway from home- had packed my favorite stuff, taken some food and a book, managed to stay away for hours and hours and hours… yet when I came home, no one had even known I was gone.
That sucked.

I remember that woman back in the ’80’s who holed up in her kid’s tree house saying she was going on strike- as their mother. I thought she was nuts at the time- especially when her kids lured her down with a plate of homemade brownies- but later, when I was a mother and a wife… I pretty much got where she was coming from and started wishing for my own tree house.

Sometimes, that’s what it takes. A strike. A packed suitcase. A white flag on a stick.

Like the 41 year old SAHM who picketed in front of her house in Indiana, saying she was unappreciated and wanted some help around the house… her point was made, even though she got a bunch of hate mail from single working moms and husbands who still believe in the barefoot and pregnant role of house wife…

( of course, you can’t be all crazy and do what this mom did. because then you have to go to jail.. and while that sounds like a bit of peace and quiet, I don’t know how many of you would be comfortable using that toilet… and no, I’m not going to tell you how I know about using the toilet in a jail cell. )

At any rate, know this. Thinking of running away is perfectly normal. Disguising a little runaway as a guy’s golf weekend, high school pal reunion, girls’ getaway or spa retreat is also acceptable.
AS long as when you return home, you want to be there, you feel like you’ve been missed and you are in a hurry to unpack and settle in.

Little Runaway Interlude