The Joy Of Child-Free Weekends

I searched how much time moms and dads spend parenting each week, and estimates run anywhere from 40 to 60 hours. Um... who came up with these numbers? Because when you're a parent, you’re on the clock all the time—even when you’re not physically with your kid. Every day, every hour, every minute is unpredictable. Parenting doesn’t exist in a neat time block; it’s layered on top of work, laundry, dinner prep, and grocery runs. It’s no wonder that finding time for yourself feels nearly impossible.

But in recent years, there’s been a noticeable shift: more of us are finally prioritizing mental health, not just for our kids but for ourselves. And for some, that means carving out the holy grail of self-care—a weekend without kids. It’s not about being selfish; it’s about hitting reset so you can show up calm, happy, and a little more human.

The undeniable need for parental downtime

Burnout isn't exclusive to work. Constant caregiving can lead to a loss of personal identity outside of the parent role, which only translates into more stress and anxiety. "I'm seeing so many perfectionist parenting tendencies because we want to go above and beyond for our kids," says Anna Maria Tosco, a clinical psychologist who is often a featured guest on The Social. She is also the mom of two.

"This causes burnout, which is why it's so important to acknowledge this strange perfectionism. I remember a quote I loved: 'In order for your children to thrive, you just have to be decent.' They really need just basic things, and yet we have all these parents who are being super perfectionistic, but meanwhile, what's happening to mom and dad?"

Today's Parent contributor Liz Krieger and her husband jetted off to Jamaica for a long weekend when her kids were four and eight. "Three nights and four days later, I’m here to report that going away on our own was perhaps the best thing we’ve done together since having those two beautiful girls," she wrote.

Overcoming the guilt of wanting time alone

With Pinterest, Instagram, and social media constantly shoving unrealistic depictions of motherhood down our throats (not everyone throws Minecraft-themed parties with homemade life-sized characters made from recyclables), it's not surprising that parents these days feel pressured to do more, more, more.

Seeking out time alone to rest, recharge and tap into a personal interest is not abandoning responsibilities; it's an investment in being a better parent. It's beneficial to your well-being and also teaches children that a loving connection doesn't require constant presence. It can help your relationship with your partner, too.

"Parenting is so hard, and societal pressures make it harder," Tosco said, adding that it's important to acknowledge how difficult it can be. "Shouldering the mental and emotional loads breeds resentment. You have to process and acknowledge your emotions."

And sometimes, you need space away from your kids to do that.

Making a kid-free weekend happen 

Getting away for a night or two might seem difficult, but it's not impossible. It just takes some planning. First up: you need to arrange for childcare. If you're going away with friends, your partner can step up, or you can reach out to grandparents, siblings, or other family members. Or, strike a deal with friends: they take your kids one weekend and you'll take yours the next.

Stock the fridge. Hide a few surprise activities, like art supplies or new games for your kids to discover while you're gone (begone, mom guilt!). Put the emergency numbers on the fridge.

Throw your comfiest clothes in an overnight bag with a toothbrush and a bottle of wine, and get going!

Curating your kids' free weekend

Don't overcomplicate your kid-free weekend. Make it about exactly what you want to do. Consider these activities:

Relaxation and self-care: If the kids are out for the night and you have the house to yourself, do an at-home spa day with a hot bath, a great book, a nap, candles, yoga, and meditation.

Special hobbies: What's something you love to do? Maybe it's painting or drawing, crafting, needlepoint, or playing music. Maybe you love to try more intricate cooking and baking projects, but never have time. Or you just want to wander the mall or your favourite museum solo without interruptions. Now's the time to do it.

Socialize: This might be your perfect window to meet up with friends for coffee, a meal, or drinks (or all of the above – after all, you have a kid-free weekend!). Or perhaps it's time to finally enjoy a grown-up date night with your partner.

Practical tasks: Personally, I don't mind running errands and meal prepping, but not when I have a toddler on my hip. The time you have without children could be an opportunity to tackle a household project you've been wanting to do without interruption.

Simply be: What if you did absolutely nothing on your kid-free weekend? Don't make a single plan... just be.

Reconnecting with yourself outside of the parent role

All too often, we get swept up in the role of parent and we forget who we used to be before someone called us "mom" or "dad." But maintaining a sense of self contributes to overall happiness and fulfillment. It not only helps parents avoid burnout but also manages stress and models healthy habits for their children. A strong sense of self allows parents to be more present, patient, emotionally available, and confident in their parenting abilities.

That is why a weekend sans kiddos is so needed: to give us a chance to find activities that make us happy and fulfilled away from the family unit.

How parental breaks benefit the whole family

When we have time to ourselves, we can come back to family life with a renewed sense of calm. Those around us will emulate this, including our kids. Remember: moms and dads don't just need alone time; kids do as well (and this will carve out even more windows of solo time for you).

Making kid-free time a regular practice

If an entire weekend away is a bit much for you to handle in one go, try a day to yourself instead and work your way up to an overnighter. The onus is on finding "you time." Once you do, you'll realize how refreshing it can be. You'll want to make it a regular practice going forward because you'll see that the downfalls (scheduling or being sad to be away from your kids) are secondary to the peace of mind you gain from being on your own, even just for a bit.

Embracing the joy of absence

Once you experience a kid-free weekend and reap its tremendous benefits, you'll start to feel less guilty about taking time for yourself. It will benefit your mental health, personal identity and family well-being. Taking time for yourself isn't selfish, it's a sign of strength and good parenting, and it will gain you renewed energy and an improved perspective. In the end, you'll only be a better parent for it.