WWTBAM Bored

We are going to NOLA on Friday and leaving the girls with Jeff's parents.

Emma is home from school today with a cold, Maddie broke the wire on her braces and has a sore mouth and I am beginning to feel guilty that I am leaving the kids.

I didn't tell my mom that I was leaving or leaving the kids with Jeff's parents (she is in Oregon) because I know that she will be nasty..."why didn't you ask me to watch the kids, I miss the girls so much..." Well, because Jeff's parents never get to watch the kids. I worry that she will find out and throw a fit, though as an adult, you'd think that I have the right to leave my kids with whomever I chose.

That's all...I just feel nervous and guilty.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:We are going to NOLA on Friday and leaving the girls with Jeff's parents.

Emma is home from school today with a cold, Maddie broke the wire on her braces and has a sore mouth and I am beginning to feel guilty that I am leaving the kids.

I didn't tell my mom that I was leaving or leaving the kids with Jeff's parents (she is in Oregon) because I know that she will be nasty..."why didn't you ask me to watch the kids, I miss the girls so much..." Well, because Jeff's parents never get to watch the kids. I worry that she will find out and throw a fit, though as an adult, you'd think that I have the right to leave my kids with whomever I chose.

That's all...I just feel nervous and guilty.

Is this a second honeymoon or romantic getaway? I'm presuming so since the kids aren't accompanying you.

You shouldn't feel guilty and your mother shouldn't put you in that sort of situation. Relax, take a deep breath and tell yourself that you need this chance to get away and you will enjoy yourself despite minor situations at home.

Jeff always asks me to go on his business trips with him, but I usually have some sort of PTA responsibility. This year, I took a year off PTA so that I could see what kind of support I needed to give Maddie in school and the trip was sort of scheduled around my classroom volunteering.

Anyway, his way is paid for and I used my miles to travel for free. (I upgraded his ticket to Business Class as well.)

I just need some time to stop being Mommy and start being Julie. I think that I am a better Mom when I have had a chance to have a break. It doesn't make it easier to leave my kids though.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:Jeff always asks me to go on his business trips with him, but I usually have some sort of PTA responsibility. This year, I took a year off PTA so that I could see what kind of support I needed to give Maddie in school and the trip was sort of scheduled around my classroom volunteering.

It's good that you have this opportunity.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I just need some time to stop being Mommy and start being Julie. I think that I am a better Mom when I have had a chance to have a break. It doesn't make it easier to leave my kids though.

I agree. It's never easy to leave the children but it is sometimes necessary to do so. Again, relax, go and recharge your "mommy batteries" and all will be well.

NOLA can be pretty depressing, though, if you let it be - there are still areas that haven't recovered from Katrina yet.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:We are going to NOLA on Friday and leaving the girls with Jeff's parents.

Emma is home from school today with a cold, Maddie broke the wire on her braces and has a sore mouth and I am beginning to feel guilty that I am leaving the kids.

1. Staying home won't make a difference in curing Emma's cold.

2. The orthodontist can repair Maddie's braces without your assistance.

3. Your girls are certainly mature enough to survive for a few days with their grandparents. You're not dumping them in Kid Nation here.

4. You're not responsible for any fit of jealosy their not-in-the-same-state grandmother might have.

Go. Have a great time!

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:We are going to NOLA on Friday and leaving the girls with Jeff's parents.

That's all...I just feel nervous and guilty.

I think that jeff's parents did a good job raising him!

PSM, do not feel guilty. Remember, there also has to be Mom & Dad time in the family equation.

Also, your Mom...hey, you need to compartmentalize her "issues" and do what's best for your family!

Please have a cafe au lait and benet at the Cafe du Monde for moi!

fuzzy

Go, have a great time, and if your mom says anything, blame Jeff.


t.

tlynn78 wrote:Go, have a great time, and if your mom says anything, blame Jeff.


t.

Good idea, he is the one who made all of the arrangements.

PlacentiaSoccerMom wrote:I just need some time to stop being Mommy and start being Julie. I think that I am a better Mom when I have had a chance to have a break.

I'm glad to see you write this. I've always thought that...that moms and dads are better moms and dads when they keep their coupledom a priority - and they're better couples when they keep their status as individuals high, too.

But it has always been just a theory, but one that The Naughty Norwegian and I will get to test soon enough. Good to see reinforcement on our philosophy!

Please report on how it goes and on the general state of NOLA.

I have been trying to convince some golfing pals of mine to take a jaunt there, but they are reluctant.

Have much fun!

I'm sure you don't really need restaurant tips for New Orleans but there is a new place that I really liked.

It is called Cochon. It is in the warehouse district south of the French Quarter on Tchoupitoulas Street. The menu is country Cajun and all about the meat. They do the "small plates" menu so you can try lots of different things.



http://www.cochonrestaurant.com/

I was in New Orleans on August on business.

The D-Day - World War II museum was something that I enjoyed, if you're not a history buff, perhaps not so much.

Brennan's Steakhouse was over-rated and over priced.

I went to Galatoire's Restaurant with some locals who are regular customers there, My 69 year old Jewish doctor friend Bernie and his wife Lynn. On Sunday night it was crowded with regulars, some young and lots of long long time customers. Its quite a shock to walk from sleazy Bourbon St. into the restaurant. They require a jacket for men after 5. I felt like I has seen some real NO. The food was very good and not as pricey as Brennan's. For me is was kinda like eating at Musso & Franks.

I stayed at the Casino, it was hopping, but could have been anywhere. The slots seemed tight. I had better luck gambling at a smaller casino on the lake.

I am happy that New Orleans will see you money.

Pealette was just there as well.

Amy and I are talking about doing a girl trip there soon.

I love NOLA and have been there many times.

I went with my sister and Diane in June, and if you stick to the quarter, you would have no idea that anything bad happened there except for the profane T-shirts that say bad things about FEMA.

Be sure to get a roady cocktail and take a private carriage ride through the quarter at night. It's a fun little splurge.

One of my favorite restaurants is Emeril's NOLAs if you want to spend some coin.

Otherwise, I think going to get cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe Du Monde is worth the price of the trip and the calories. Once I had to go to NO for a one day business trip, and took the early flight just to have beignets. It's hard to keep powdered sugar off your suit.

There is a a outside market just to the north of there that has fun trinkets for gifts--like bracelets with the kids names on them.