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Re-Entry Is a Challenge
Updated: July 17, 2023
Originally Published: July 17, 2023
Every time I begin to pack for a getaway from my kids, the anxieties start to swirl. These aren’t your typical worries about flight safety or forgotten luggage—no, it’s the realization of what will greet me upon my return. (Spoiler alert! It’s a chaotic house reeking of dirty socks, leftover takeout, and who-knows-what.)
I should be grateful for the chance to slip away on a little vacation, right? Yes, I know this, and trust me, I make the most of my time away from home and responsibilities. I make a fantastic addition to any girls’ trip. Every time thoughts of the post-trip mess creep in, I simply order another drink.
In the days leading up to my departure, I find myself in a whirlwind of activity—cleaning the house and crafting lists: “Contact this person if his rash flares up! Here’s the pharmacy number! Remember to apply that ointment to her right elbow!” I stock the pantry and fill the fridge with pre-packaged foods that require zero effort to prepare, ensuring my family can survive without my culinary skills, because whatever they eat will inevitably become my mess to deal with later.
I rearrange health snacks within reach of tiny hands and label cups with their names. I leave behind lists and even buy apples, knowing they likely won’t touch them, but at least I can leave feeling like I did my part. So, why do I go through all this trouble when I know that the moment I leave, chaos will reign? It’s all just an illusion, and my efforts, much like trying to convince my family to enjoy healthy foods, are ultimately in vain.
I do all this to make my return a little easier, fully aware that my husband will likely lose himself in an old action movie while the kids transform the living room into a battlefield. I imagine them having a blast without me, with lots of wrestling and tossing things they shouldn’t—like each other.
As I enjoy a night out with friends, I try not to dwell on the carpet that will soon be littered with snack remnants. When I order a refreshing drink, I resist the urge to worry about whether they’ll remember their bedtime routine or how high the laundry pile has grown. Yet, the socks—oh, the socks. They’ll be such a mess. My socks will end up in my husband’s drawer, my daughter’s in mine, and many will be completely missing because, apparently, sorting socks is a Herculean task.
While I’m away, I relish sleeping in and getting ready in peace, free from interruptions. Everything stays just where I left it, and honestly, it’s bliss. But, despite the joy of a break, I do start to miss my family. After all, I’m not entirely heartless.
When I return, my family greets me in pajamas—likely the same ones from three days ago—and they all look as if they’ve been through a whirlwind. Everything is sticky, and surfaces I thought were safe are oddly adhesive. Just when I think I’ve cleaned up the last of the mysterious goo, I discover more lurking down the hall.
Strange items will be found under the beds—like spatulas. I’ll encounter crumbs and odd food placements everywhere, and maybe a random child or two will be hanging around, as if they’ve claimed the place as their own. Re-entry is undoubtedly a challenge.
I’ve decided that the key to a smooth return is to have as much fun as possible while I’m away, so that when I find myself on my hands and knees searching for my daughter’s lost toy, I can still call up a friend and say, “That was totally worth it.” Followed immediately by, “When’s our next getaway?!”
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Summary:
Navigating the anxieties of returning home after a getaway from family can be overwhelming. Despite the joy of a break, the messy reality that awaits—sticky surfaces, misplaced items, and chaotic living spaces—can be daunting. The key is to enjoy your time away as much as possible, so you can face the post-trip chaos with humor and resilience.