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By Rebecca Kammerer

I am a mom of a five-year-old and three-year-old. I have an opportunity to go away on a long weekend on my own. I have never been away this long since they were born. I have gone on overnights with my husband while my parents watched the kids. I have never left my husband alone this long with the kids and I am afraid he may become overwhelmed. He says he will be fine. I really want to go but I am torn. What advice can you give me?

-Janette, Patch reader in Wantagh

I think it is important that we as parents do not lose ourselves in our families and family-only life. We are more than mother, father, caretaker and provider, we are individuals and we need to exercise that portion of ourselves. In order to create a healthy family dynamic, each member needs to have alone/independent time to do what interests them. This may not always translate to weekends away but smaller breaks

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