'I paid £39 to escape my kids at a Travelodge up the road - it was so worth it'

04 March 2024 , 09:53

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The mum took herself to a Travelodge (stock image) (Image: Getty Images)

This mum lived out many a parent's dream - and she has no regrets.

Most parents will be familiar with the feeling of just wanting a moment's peace, but it's not always possible. From getting the kids ready for school, to going to work, to making dinner, putting them to bed and doing the washing, it can feel like a never-ending cycle where you never get a second to yourself.

One mum who found herself overwhelmed by all the demands of motherhood decided to take herself on a kid-free solo holiday, but instead of jumping on a plane, she drove 20 minutes down the road to the nearest Travelodge. The mini break cost her just £39, and she said it was worth every penny.

Alison Perry has a hectic life where she juggles between running a business, writing and looking after three children. Writing for The Metro, she explained: "My 13-year-old needs ferrying to her many dance classes and when I'm not breaking up squabbles between my five-year-old twins, I'm doing the school run, helping them with homework or watching them perform 'a show' in the living room."

Although she loved having "cuddles on the sofa after work", she really misses her personal space and all the demands she faces on a daily basis can leave her "feeling suffocated". She added: "Simple things like being able to go to the loo alone. Not being asked, 'Where are you going? Can I come?' every time I dare to move from my position on the sofa, watching Bluey, to make a cup of tea."

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It can feel so overwhelming that instead of "cherishing" the time she spends with her kids, she starts to "plot ways to create some space" between them, from deciding to clean the bathroom or tidy the kitchen, just to get a break. It also means Alison becomes "snappy" with them, and causes her to "act a bit of a petulant child who just wants to sit down" to finish her coffee rather than play with her children.

Alison decided to book a hotel room in the hope that she would feel more herself when she returned - and that's exactly what happened. Now she, and her husband Mark, think nights like this are "essential mental health maintenance," rather than luxuries.

The mum, who was "giddy with excitement" at the front desk, was also "a little embarrassed" when the hotel staff realised she lived locally. However, it was "such a treat to be able to sleep in," rather than being woken up by her screaming twins at 5.30am.

She continued: "Walking back through my front door at home, I felt like I could breathe again. I was looking forward to seeing my kids rather than wishing I could be somewhere else." Alison says that you don't need a posh getaway to take a break, and recommends it to other parents too.

Ariane Sohrabi-Shiraz