"Every year, I leave my home - and my kids - behind for a short time to travel to Japan alone. The distance, both geographic and cultural, gives me enough space and time to live authentically: to be the curious explorer, the immersion-based language learner, and the person I am apart from being "Mom." As an introverted parent, these solo trips aren't just a luxury - they're fundamental to my well-being and actually help me be a better mother."
"Although I have some "me time" when the kids are at school or in after-school care, most days are filled with working, shopping, cooking, cleaning, planning, and juggling activities. Even at night when they're asleep, I'm still alert and "on" in case they need me. By immersing myself in a completely different culture, far from home, I'm able to truly switch off and decompress."
Yearly solo trips to Japan provide necessary time and distance for personal reset, language practice, and authentic self-expression separate from parenting roles. The geographic and cultural separation enables curiosity, immersion-based language learning, and exploration of identity beyond being "Mom." As an introverted parent, quiet and solitude in Japan allow true decompression away from constant household responsibilities and nighttime vigilance. Two-week trips hit the right balance between rest and family separation, returning home recharged and able to re-enter routines with renewed energy. Cooperative co-parenting supports the travel arrangement and models balance and self-care to the children.
Read at Business Insider
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