Motherhood, they say, is a 24-hour job (well at least, that’s what other mothers say, men might have a different opinion). Whether you’re a working mum or a stay-at-home mum, very often you will be the go-to parent for your child. And that’s not to say fathers don’t do a lot, but research shows that often, young kids develop close relationships with parents one at a time, and it makes sense that that is usually with the mother first.
Lately, there’s been lots of talk and research around parenting burnout. Especially given the pandemic forcing parents to balance both career and children all in the same space of the home. Words like “overwhelm” and feeling “touched out” have come up a lot in mummy Facebook forums or on Instagram. I’ll admit they weren’t words I understood when I wasn’t a parent, but now that I have a sensitive 2-year old who is struggling with the impending arrival of a sibling, I get it. Oh how I get it.
It’s hard to look after your own needs (let alone work) when a vocal little person (who can reach door knobs) is constantly seeking you out, wanting to be carried (on top of the bowling ball baby you’re currently growing) and, for some reason, wants to keep her germy face excessively close to yours. There’s only so much one-handed typing you can do. So when I saw a headline on a story from Travel + Leisure about a mum who did a solo staycation/babymoon to the Maldives, it piqued my interest. I wasn’t looking to go swim with manta rays in my third trimester, when even walking was becoming a bit of a workout, but I thought maybe a night away on my own – no husband and no toddler – might be a good reset.
With its newly renovated rooms, the Conrad Centennial at Millenia Walk seemed like a good idea. The hotel graciously offered me access to their Executive Lounge, and set me up with an Executive King room, dinner at Golden Peony as well as a spa treatment the following day.
While I was excited, it was also the first time I would spend a night away from my toddler and so some anxiety and of course, mum-guilt crept in. Thankfully, my husband assured me that everything would be fine and that he’d manage any night wakes if anything.