Every now and then, it’s important for mom to get away and refuel. The benefits of taking time for yourSelf far outway the guilt you might experience from being away from your children. When you come back recharged, your entire family will reap the rewards.

There are so many pathways to revitalization, and a retreat can mean different things to different women.

Who Do you want time alone or time with other moms? A solitary hermitage will be much different than a retreat with friends, but both have tremendous benefits.

Once you have determined whether your retreat is a solo project or a group adventure, you’ll want to consider the amount of time you can devote to this experience. Is it a weekend getaway? A day long event? A few hours at the end of a busy day? Perhaps, it is an hour a day, each day for a week after the children have left for school.

Why A mom’s retreat is no girls’ night out. This occasion is more meaningful (not that a fun night out is a bad thing) and filled with purpose. To help you and the other moms determine the focus of your retreat, consider your goals. What is it that you want to achieve in your moments away? Is the primary purpose to relieve stress? Rejuvenate? Do you just need time away - a break? Are you hoping to have some fun? Do you need time to focus on your dreams and goals?

What Based on your answers as to why this retreat is necessary - you will formulate the substance of your experience. Do you want a quiet, pampering experience? A getaway with a focused activity? Are you interested in soulful exploration? If you will be with other moms, take advantage of everyone’s skills, talents, and passions. Let the yoga instructor friend lead a yoga class for peace and relaxation. The writer can lead a journaling exercise exploring who you are and who you want to be. The therapist can guide you through a visualization or meditation experience. Additional activities you might want to consider for your retreat include: cooking together, a craft, or creating vision boards.

Leave room for conversations, down time, and spontaneous ideas. Think through your food needs, comfort requirements, and responsibility delegation. Be open to trying new things.

Getting together with other moms is always refreshing, but taking the extra steps to create a mini-retreat experience will put your gathering over the top!