The ideal itinerary for any mom on a getaway needs to include three essential things—time to relax, time for some fun, and time to take care of herself (instead of everyone else), and fortunately, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, provide plenty of options for all three essentials.
If you’re a mom used to juggling everything other than what YOU want to do, then follow these easy steps and you’ll return from your next weekend away feeling renewed, recharged, and ready to take on the mom duties like a boss again. Until then, while you’re away, let go of any guilt. There’s no point even leaving if you’re going to feel regret the entire time you’re gone. Know that it’s important to get away—for several reasons—and in all honesty, odds are the family will appreciate you more after a couple days away.
With that out of the way, you should decide if you want to go it alone or bring some buddies. No answer is wrong here. Beyond that, your next step is finding a great place to bunk down. That’s going to be simple. There are multiple vacation rental managers in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach—many right on the water—which makes it super simple, and when it comes down to it, convenience is everything when you’re enjoying time away.
As for your itinerary, let’s break it down into the three essential categories.
Time to relax
This part is going to be easy. Wake up when you feel like it. Go to bed as early or as late as you want. Don’t overschedule yourself with things to do, places to eat, etc. Build in time to just sit. Stick your toes in the sand, read a good book, fall asleep under your beach umbrella if you want. Do what makes you happy. That’s essential. You don’t want to head back feeling like you need a vacation after your vacation. It’s ok to make day one all about just sitting still.
Time for some fun
You don’t have to go crazy with this one. After all, odds are your definition of fun now is going to be very different than what it was pre-kids. For me, the idea of a weekend without the kids frees up all kinds of possibilities. For example, you could go kayaking with Wild Native without worrying how much the kids will enjoy it. You can get out on the water and bask in the silence of the waves lapping against the boat, birds chirping overhead, and maybe even spot a dolphin playing in the water nearby.
You could listen to a live band at LuLu’s and maybe even get up and dance to a song or two. You 
could go to The Gulf and sip the Surfs Up cocktail (coconut rum makes every beach trip more delicious). You can do what I do and get two! Remember, you’re living large (just be responsible and make sure you have a designated driver). Another option: a sunset sail with Sail Wild Hearts. My heart is happiest when I’m on the water.
Time to Take Care of Yourself:
Let’s make the last day of your trip about loving yourself enough to gift yourself a special treat, like a relaxing massage. You may even save the massage until after a morning of yoga on the beach. Heck, you could just schedule an hour or so to take a long walk on the beach each day. Let your mind wander and appreciate the beauty around you.
By now, you’re probably ready to head back to that family of yours, and they’re probably very ready to have you home again. And next time, you can schedule your beach trip with the entire family!
