Moms Deserve a Night Out (And Yes, Dads Do Too)

Let’s be honest: moms deserve a night out — and okay, fine, dads do too. (Just kidding… kind of). But seriously, we all need breaks from these beautiful little headaches we created.

There’s something magical about stepping away from the constant “mama, mama, mama” (or “dada, dada, dada”) to just… breathe.

To remember that before we were snack distributors, diaper changers, and bedtime negotiators, we were people. Whole people, with lives and interests that existed long before tiny humans started running the show.

Little CEOs, as I like to call them.

---

Recently, I went out with two of my girlfriends, one of them a mama of two beautiful littles. And let me tell you…. it was everything.

We laughed, we talked about life, and for a few hours, we felt like adults again. Of course, the night took months of planning (because of parent life and normal life). Back in the day, we saw each other almost daily. Now? Three to four months’ notice is the only way to make it happen.

But it was worth it. For one night, there was no sleeve tugging, no little voices demanding snacks, no tantrums — well, unless you count mine when the frozen Marg machine broke at MetLife right when it was our turn at the bar.

It was just us being women, not “mom,” “partner,” or “employee.” And where did we go? To see Chris Brown, of all things. Living out my full teenage dream.

Side note: growing up, concerts felt like such an impossible expense that I never even asked to go. Now, being able to say yes to myself? That feels like its own kind of magic.

---

But let’s pause for a second and talk about the elephant in the room: mom guilt. That voice that sneaks in as you’re putting on makeup or stepping out the door.

Should I be home? Should I be saving this money? Am I selfish for wanting time away?

The answer: no, no, and no. Taking a night for yourself doesn’t make you a bad mom. It makes you human. And honestly, it makes you a better mom when you come back recharged, laughing, and remembering that you exist outside of your to-do lists.

Now, I know not everyone has the luxury of heading out for the night — childcare, schedules, and finances make it tough, sometimes impossible. But self-care doesn’t have to mean concert tickets or dinner out.

It can look like a night in: inviting a friend over once the baby’s asleep, having wine and snacks on the couch, or even doing a group FaceTime movie night (yes, like during early COVID — sorry if that brings flashbacks). The point isn’t where you are — it’s creating space just for you.

Because here’s the truth: we are all people outside of parenting. Moms, dads, caregivers — we’re whole humans with interests, dreams, and needs that matter. And by prioritizing that, we’re actually showing our kids something powerful: that self-care matters.

That alone time or friend time isn’t selfish, it’s necessary.

So yes, moms deserve a night out. Dads deserve one too. But most of all, parents deserve to remember they’re more than the roles they play. And giving ourselves permission to step away — even for just a few hours — is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves and our families.