0:00
Now we're just spinning. Oh, okay, we're live. Oh, well, you know what this morning lends itself to why? The retreat? Mama needs a break. Yeah, I'm here with Courtney.
0:15
Yeah, we can barely get a break to record the podcast.
0:20
And I've gotten a phone call from the husband and a phone call from the school. And yeah, there's this. That's why it was created. And Courtney joined me for the first annual one that we had April of 2022. So just a few months ago, in you guys may or may not know, but I love to travel. So I was like, well, and I'm always thinking like this, when it comes to places like we could go to we're in California, California, super expensive. So when we go places, there's so many of us that is like, well, we could go to Cabo for the same amount, like if we go to Palm Springs, and eat all three meals. So I was like, Well, I'm going to create something for moms that they can say, as a gift. It's right around Mother's Day. So I like for my Mother's Day gift. And you still get to spend time with the kids on Mother's Day, because that's important. Also, So, Courtney, what made you join and by the way, me and Courtney are friends now, but we were I know what kind of cool colleagues
1:34
know, we were both in the sphere
1:36
of advocacy and helping families. But we had only met in person one time for a short weekend, which was like a month ago. And then I saw that you put out this Mama needs a break. I too love to travel. And I you know, those of you who have been listening along probably can figure out I'm a full time caregiver, two walls, my husband to our daughter, Hannah. And due to the pandemic and everything, we haven't had outside help since early 2021. Like our caregiver quitting 2021 And I haven't had anybody since so we're coming up on a year of me doing that, plus all my other things. And so I definitely needed a break. But I didn't know anybody and the only person I knew a little bit was markeesha.
2:34
And my husband's like, Are you sure you're gonna have fun? And I was like, You
2:38
know what? It's not an all inclusive resort with yummy food and drinks. I think I'll be okay.
2:46
I'm gonna be alright.
2:47
And if I remember correctly, that was your first time out of the country by yourself.
2:53
Yes. Okay. Yes. And my husband does all know, my husband's like, you're the you're kind of the planner, and my husband's the planner, and I'm the one that shows up and be like, what airline are we on? Like, I don't really know what's going on. I just show up when he tells me I pack what we're supposed to pack for the kids. So I'm like in charge of packing. That's my thing. And he plans all of it. So to say I was nervous was an understatement. I've never gone I didn't go through customs. And I didn't even know that but you you had everything set up. So like as soon as I got out of the airport, I had secure and safe transportation. So I know that's always a concern when you're going out of what you're familiar with. You had great transportation lined up for us you had instructions beforehand on how to prep for our trip and what we should bring which was awesome. Again, I never even I when I checked in I was like that's included. I had never stayed at an all inclusive so and I did not grow up doing trips like that. So I was like, he's like how would I tell you what's not included? Like, you have to pay for your massage if you want to upgrade with like a massage. But or like an excursion but otherwise it's it's it you pay for your airline ticket. You have your passport, you show up and you get to mingle and have fun with lots of other moms. So can I ask you a question? We didn't prep this so I'm just gonna ask you a question. Is this only for Special Needs Moms? are moms raising kids with disabilities?
4:35
No, it's for we're all moms that need a break. Oh, my hope is that because kinda like in school we're into like different mom groups. Right? And which is good at one point because then you like what happened to me this morning? You get it? Yeah. So picked us up from school he's, he's having today. Right? So you weren't like oh my gosh, how LM professional we're supposed to be doing Are you are just like, Okay, well let me do this because oh, I Oh, I get it, you know. So that's good in that sense. But it's also I feel good to have other mom friends that be like, oh, so since they're not as, as exhausted dealing with all the other things that we have to deal with, like medical appointments and therapy appointments, we can't be like, Hey, girl, bring, you know, bring Joe over here, or we got him over here, you know. So I would love to have a mix. Right? So we can be one mom? Well,
5:40
yeah. And it goes with our podcast mission, which is including every parent, we did a little play on the IEP, but it's including every parent, because we need people who are having a chance to get to know that side of caregiving or managing an IEP or dealing with all those things. So that's really important to have them. And I've had friends who have gone above and beyond to ask me questions when I'm sharing or venting with them. And they'll say, Okay, can we pause for one second, I know, that sounds really hard. I don't know what that word meant. Or I can tell you really upset helped me understand. That means a lot to me. And so the beauty of this group was an even if you do have a child on an IEP or with a disability, when we were there, we were all in different phases of that some people are beginning of their journey, other people didn't have a child with a disability. And then other people were like, oh, transitioning from high school and to community services. And so we were able to lend support, give insight,
6:51
crying, calm, right. Grandma was there,
6:55
because she wanted to take a break with her daughter. And they're both moms. And then she was able to learn from us too, about our experiences and help her be as him involved in a supportive grandma, to her daughter. And so there was lots of different relationships happening and growth happening. So another question I've gotten was on you. Yes? Is there like structured classes or things that you have to go? And do like, so? Is there like a strict agenda? Or what how does that work?
7:36
No. It's definitely a break for you. So there is an agenda. But it's very. If you want to come come, and if you want to lounge in your chair by the pool, please do that. Because it really is for you to have a break. So we don't load up the schedule with me. Classes. Yeah. Where do you know how I feel about like, Yeah, I'm in the front. And I'm the parent and you are listening to me. I want us to gather together. We met in the pool.
8:11
Yeah, we learned in the pool. We were, you know, drinking, sipping on our drinks and learning and growing and bonding. And I went on another retreat recently. And it was, it wasn't an all inclusive resort. But it was a business retreat. But it was the same thing. It was like very flexible, because it was also a break hidden away from our families. But we're also focused on business and reminded me of like, when we went on our retreat in April, we were learning and growing, but we weren't sitting at a classroom, you'll walk away with tons of support and knowledge. goodie bags. You know, all of us again, we're coming in there with different things happening in our lives. And some things are happening as we were going on our trip, right and so we all understood that what looked like a break or what one mom wants to do might not be what another mom wanted to do. I went on pair parasailing I never done that before. And I went with with one of your friends who your hairdresser
9:26
was super fun. And so we were
9:29
really late and they did not know each other they met on the trip and decided to well excursions where if you choose to go so they were like I think someone was like hey, what do you think it was you wanted to do? Parasailing and those two hooked up in the hand
9:49
and we were out there like supporting each other because we went up together so you could go up solo or together and I I had all these hopes of taking pictures and I had my lanyard on and I'm, I'm, I consider myself like, I've done roller coasters. And so it takes a little bit to get me shook up. But as you're starting to go up, I was like, I can't do it, I can't do it. I was like, gripping it.
10:18
She did all the photos for me
10:21
and dropped him to me. And so and now we keep in touch on social media and support each other there. And so it was so much fun. It gave me a chance to grow as a woman and as a mom like navigating Orton be able to see that I could travel by myself because my husband and I, I met him when I was 16. We got married when I was 18. So to say we've been together a long time would be like an understatement. And you get very comfortable in your roles. And he takes on that for us. And so I was like, and I even met a nice mom on the airplane. She's probably old enough to be my mom. And she I was asking her questions and stuff about what to do when we get off and she's like, I'm not in a hurry. Do you want me to walk with you? I said yeah. And so we walked together and then she was very protective of me. She's like, well make sure you get on the right car. So don't worry my friend planned this all out for us and so I found our sign and with but there's still so many
11:29
nice we got a sign yeah to sign
11:32
that they've held up and shipped for us so I knew where we were car to get in and then my name was on the list and everything and so yeah if nice people all around from the nice lady I sat with on the plane to getting to the all inclusive and they checked you in like five star you know, like it's it's fancy. Yeah, it
11:52
was a five star you know, this mama likes five star along with this mama. This mom was bear cubs? Yeah, in the husband. Yeah. So I guess it is a five star, the next one is coming up is almost at a five star. And I think that I can't wait for us to go because when is last year, I been thinking about doing this. But then we all get in our heads and be like, I don't know, like who's gonna come they don't know me, like my friends know, me. And they travel all the time. And I was like, but this is for people that I don't know. And I've been putting it off and putting it off and putting it off. So I literally put it together like in February. Everything had to be done by the end of February. Because you have to, you know, in travel, you have to everything has to be paid on like 60 days before, but know what was gonna happen. And it did. And I was excited to see people traveling for their first time. And I like what you said too, is that you are getting to know like yourself, like away from we get very comfortable in our roles. And we just got to, you know, just hang out and meet other moms and talk about we did talk about our kids and we talked about what your needs are. But we also just got, I'm gonna go take a nap like girl, I get it I had let's get in the pool. If for any
13:29
mom that scared to to leave to maybe this is like your first time. I always feel like when you go away, it gives your family a chance to see all that you do. Because when you're not there, they might not think they know all the things you do. But when you take a break, and you exit that situation for a few days, I tell you, my kids always appreciate me and my husband, as do I when he goes away.
13:56
Oh, my rescue so much. I had to do this all by myself.
13:59
And so again, it gives them a chance to see and you might be able to see where you have some gaps in things that maybe they didn't know quite what to do when you're gone. And that's important for everybody to be able to fill in with our kids that do have disabilities and know how to care for them and what medications go at this time. They won't get to practice if you never leave. So they get a chance to practice and have a deeper appreciation for you. So we so hope you well reach out in the show notes. I think for the podcasts, we're going to pop it over there too. You will see the link to where you can look at it and send us a DM if you have any questions and we'll get back to you right away. So hope you enjoyed this.
14:46
I hope you can join us too. And I told you guys I think I told you that Joe is I got a call from the school so I hear him coming in. So I'm going to say Have a good weekend and I'll Hope we hope to see you guys in Cancun right we'll actually come back on and talk about it we'll talk about more about the net the next place that we're going yes activities that we're doing alright guys have a good day bye
