Moms’ Night Out

A little over a month ago, one of the amazing ladies in one of my mom’s groups graciously opened up her home to host a “Moms’ Night Out.”  When is the last time that you got to get out with some fellow moms (without the kiddos) and to have a few laughs and a bit of fun?  I can tell you that I personally do not get out much unless it’s with my toddler in tow.  Don’t get me wrong.  I love my son to pieces but…. I think that an occasional mom’s night out is an important part of that elusive “self-care” that we moms are so good at putting off.

At the mom’s night out that I had the privilege to attend we actually watched the movie “Moms’ Night Out” (2014) staring Sarah Drew and Sean Astin (which my husband thought was awfully cliché) but we had the best time.  The movie was funny and incredibly relatable.  We were able to laugh and enjoy a much deserved break.  I don’t want to completely spoil the plot of the movie but there were a couple of parts that really struck a chord with me that I would love to share with you. (Fair warning if you don’t want to hear ANYTHING about this movie… stop reading now… but seeing as the movie is 5 years old, many of you have probably already seen it! If you haven’t, I highly recommend it!)

The movie opens with the main character attempting to blog about her life as a mom (I felt like the movie might be about me! Haha).  She was struggling with where to start and what to write about because although she loved being a mom, she was really struggling!  This job is so hard guys – but then again you already know that.  A short time later in the movie, she confesses to her husband that she doesn’t know what is wrong with her.  She tells him that her dream was to be a wife, a mom, and live in a great house.  She tells her husband that she should be ridiculously lucky because she is literally LIVING her dream, but somehow she’s not happy at all and she can’t figure out why.  Her husband suggests that maybe she needs to do something for herself to recharge her batteries but we all know that can be tough to actually do!

So the main mother character decides to plan a moms’ night out.  Long story short, her night does not go as planned AT ALL (who’s been there?!) but somehow everything works out.  There’s a line in the movie as she is planning the date night though that really struck me.  She is telling her husband about her plans and at first he’s not super thrilled (because he realizes that he’s going to have to take care of the kids while she is out) but then he realizes how much she really needs this night.  Her husband travels a lot for business and makes a travel joke but it really stuck me with. He says:

“You know when a flight attendant

goes through the safety thing?

You know when they say, uh, you have

to put on your oxygen mask first

…

Yeah. Yeah, you need

your oxygen mask.

You have to have your mask

on before assisting others.”

(Moms’ Night Out – 2014)

The other characters in the room make fun of him for his metaphor but I actually really love it.  As moms, we can’t effectively take care of our children, our husbands, and our homes (not necessarily in that order) when our own air tanks are empty.  Sure, we can try, but it usually ends up with mom losing her cool and everyone unhappy.  The movie ends with the main character getting a fresh perspective on her role as a mom.  She goes back to her blog and writes:

“I’m not perfect.

I make plenty of mistakes.

But I am right

where God wants me to be

and He has given me

everything I need to be a mom.

I’m a mess.

But I’m a beautiful mess.

I’m His masterpiece.

And that’s enough.”

(Moms’ Night Out – 2014)

What a beautiful message to moms!  We aren’t perfect and it IS okay!!  We ARE enough.  Part of me still feels selfish when I take time for myself and I need to be reminded that it’s OK to do something for ME.  Even if our plans don’t turn out exactly the way that we imagined or if something goes wrong, don’t let that deter you from making the effort.  Struggling to make a start? You don’t have to start big with a night out on the town.  Start with a shower longer than 5 minutes, read a book you have been dying to read for a half hour while the laundry is in the dryer, or take a nap when your kiddo does!  The important thing to keep in mind is that you deserve a few minutes to yourself.  Don’t be afraid to ask your husband for help.  This job is hard.  Hang in there!  I can’t wait for my next moms’ night out!

Image Courtesy of Google