Being “married with children” doesn’t mean abandoning girlfriend getaways and guys-only golf outings. In fact, it’s more important now than ever to step away to reminisce, recharge and invest in those friendships — they’ll remain long after your children have grown and flown.
Aside from tightening the bonds, trips with longtime friends help you reconnect with who you were before you were “Aiden’s Mom” or “Emma’s Mom.”
“Somewhere through the parenting journey, I lost who I was,” says Barbara, who raised her children in Winnetka before moving out of state. “Flying off with friends lets me leave ‘responsibility’ behind for a bit and get in touch with my sillier side — my personality before I became the adult in my life’s scenario. I come home energized and upbeat — and that benefits both my children and my marriage.”
A little freedom can go a long way for your outlook and your sisterly support system. So grab your gal pals and pack up those road-trip essentials — Cosmo quizzes, bunny slippers, college playlists, sinful snacks and face masks — for a G-rated Thelma and Louise adventure.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is an ideal destination for parents who struggle to leave their kiddos behind or are reluctant to travel too far from home. Just a 90-minute drive from the North Shore, Lake Geneva feels days away with the transformation from suburban setting to breathtaking shoreline.
Lake Geneva rolls out a charming welcome mat with its action-packed shopping district (E Street Denim, BloomingByrds, ShoShoo and home décor galore) flanked by coffee and ice cream shops, bars, wineries and restaurants (Sopra, Hunt Club Steakhouse, Simple Cafe). Balance your indulgences with morning yoga at PIER 290, Fontana Paddle’s SUP classes and a hike on the historic Lake Shore Path.
For a sleek, chic spot to wine, dine and lay your head after the party, The Ridge Hotel’s hotly anticipated multi-million-dollar redesign opens in mid-May with two new dining options — the smart and sumptuous Crafted Americana restaurant and bean + vine coffee and wine bar — plus a stylish tech-savvy lobby with luxe seating, elegant fire features and a shoreline veranda with 12-foot fire pit, lounge, bar and pool. You’ll return home refreshed and re-energized — and with a pact to “do this again real soon …”
Managed by Paloma Resorts, the 146-room Ridge Hotel delivers a new take on Lake Geneva with its 2016 multi-million-dollar contemporary redesign, including a tech-savvy and luxe lobby, new Crafted Americana restaurant and bean + wine coffee and wine bar. Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a lake shore veranda with 12-foot outdoor fire feature, lounge and bar, an on-site health club, salon and spa, and 10,000 square feet of event space.
