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The Sun
19-05-2025
- The Sun
I left kids at home and went to Africa for the DAY for £51 – it was cheaper than spa & ultimate self-care birthday treat
I WOBBLED perilously on the camel as it stood up, nervous that I was about to slide straight off, before screaming with joy as it came to a stop. It was my 43 rd birthday and normally I'd be celebrating at home with my husband and four kids over cake and cards, before a countryside walk. 6 But this year, I was enjoying a camel ride in the Moroccan desert, after deciding to take an extreme day trip to Africa - without my family. My companions for the adventure were a bunch of strangers I'd connected with on a WhatsApp group and met for the first time at Gatwick Airport at 4am. We had an action-packed itinerary for the 18-hour trip, including flights, riding on camels and quad bikes, touring Marrakesh's famous souks and enjoying a tagine dinner. It might sound crazy to make the 2,800-mile round trip to Morocco and back in a day. But for me, it was a rare chance to have 'me time', rediscover my adventurous spirit, forget my responsibilities and make new friends. I love spending time with them but it's exhausting and I often feel burnt out by refereeing squabbles and ferrying kids to school and activities. Normally, my days are spent juggling work as a freelance journalist and caring for my four kids – a teenage son, six-year-old twin boys and a ten-year-old daughter, who has a genetic condition and multiple disabilities, including autism and cerebral palsy. I love spending time with them but it's exhausting and I often feel burnt out by refereeing squabbles and ferrying kids to school and activities. Before I had children, travel was a big part of my life. I'm an only child and my late dad saw visiting other countries as a key part of my education, taking me to places such as South Africa and China, and sending me on school trips to India and Mexico. I volunteered in Kenya, Romania and Poland in my teens and even went to Australia for my honeymoon. But since having my first child aged 29, I'd barely left Kent, let alone Britain, and I missed it. Our large family made it expensive and logistically impossible to go abroad as a six. Then last year I learnt about extreme day trips, where you fly to another country, explore and return home by bedtime. They usually involve an early morning flight out and a return flight late at night. 'Bucket list' trip I joined a Facebook group dedicated to the topic, with 300,000 members all keen to see how far they can get and back in 24 hours. I started small with visits to Switzerland in September and December, going in groups of a dozen or so led by the organiser of the Facebook group. But with my birthday looming in March, I felt the itch to go further – and Africa seemed like the ideal challenge, with Morocco on my bucket list. I wasn't sure what my husband Philip, 43, would think of me ditching them all for my birthday but he encouraged my mad plan because he knew how important it was to me. 6 Getting up at 3am and meeting six strangers at the check-in desk was exhilarating. All the tiredness melted away as we boarded the plane for our 6.05am flight, which took three-and-a-half hours. I'd booked two single flights with WizzAir at a combined cost of £51, taking just a rucksack with my essentials for the day and a passport. It was cheaper than a night out in Bromley, Kent, where I live. While security at Marrakesh International Airport was slow, we were riding on quad bikes by noon, even though we lost an hour due to the time difference. Yes, it was a long day, but I felt like I'd been on an actual holiday, leaving me recharged for mum duties. We had booked a driver for the day who took us to our hour-long driving session, followed by an hour riding camels in the desert, before three hours exploring Jemaa el-Fnaa, the city's historic main square, and its incredible souks, led by a guide. Then it was back to the airport to check in for our 8.15pm return flight, arriving back in Britain at 11.20pm. Yes, it was a long day, but I felt like I'd been on an actual holiday, leaving me recharged for mum duties. It's also a great way to see the world during a cost-of-living crisis as there is no accommodation or extra bags to factor into the price. I've since done another day trip, this time to Venice, and in October, I'm taking my eldest son James, 13, to Athens to show him the Acropolis. He's going to miss a day of school but I know he'll learn more than being in the classroom for a few hours. 6 6
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mom's Clever Trick to Getting 'Me Time' While Raising a Toddler Goes Viral (Exclusive)
Jess Sharp is the proud mom of 2-year-old daughter Amelia She taught Amelia how to ask her dad for one-on-one time, giving Sharp some much-needed "me time" Sharp tells PEOPLE the alone time allows her "to relax and reconnect" with herselfFor stay-at-home parents, carving out proper "me time" can be very challenging, especially with a baby or toddler in the house. Each phase of parenthood brings its own set of challenges and needs, making it feel like there is rarely ever time to truly relax. However, one mother went viral on TikTok for training her 2-year-old to specifically ask for father-daughter dates so she can finally have some moments to herself. 'It's not always easy to make it happen, but I've found that even a few minutes of peace can make a big difference and help me feel more recharged to take on the day,' Jess Sharp tells PEOPLE exclusively. Whether it's getting lost in a book, discovering a new love for baking, or taking the time to garden, she finds that the simplest of things can be extremely therapeutic as a stay-at-home parent. 'It's not about doing anything extravagant, but more about finding joy in the simple moments that allow me to relax and reconnect with myself,' Sharp says. After giving birth to her daughter, Amelia, she says her "me time" looks very different. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'My approach has changed a lot since becoming a mom,' she admits. 'Before, I only thought of myself and did anything I pleased…The things I took for granted before, like sleep, long showers – these little things I appreciate in a way I didn't before.' Sharp believes she is also more creative, focused, and energized when she can carve out some time for herself. By making this a priority, stay-at-home parents can make a huge difference in how they feel and how they connect with the people they love. 'As a mom, it's easy to put everyone else's needs before our own, but you can't pour from an empty cup,' Sharp emphasizes. 'By prioritizing me, I'm not only helping myself but also helping my family. Self-care doesn't have to be luxurious or time-consuming. It's about finding small moments that make me happy and making them a part of my routine.' Nevertheless, juggling the responsibilities of being a mom while maintaining her own sense of self is difficult, but Sharp says she's working on it by setting boundaries and realizing when she needs a break. 'I truly believe it's crucial for moms to prioritize our well-being. When we take care of ourselves, we're in a much better place to care for our families,' she explains. 'I've learned to remind myself that it's not selfish to take time for myself, it's actually necessary for my mental and physical health.' Thankfully, Sharp's husband completely understands the importance of self-care. She says he knows what makes her happy and that their communication is key to helping themselves be better partners and parents. 'Even with his busy schedule, he notices when I need a break and checks in, reminding me to take it easy,' Sharp says. 'He's always so supportive, stepping in to baby duty, even after a long day at work.' Raising a child is a team effort, and she really appreciates how her husband always makes sure she gets the "me time" she deserves – just as she does for him. As parents they try to teach their daughter the importance of listening to one's body. 'For example, when we feel tired, we try to rest, and when we're hungry, we eat. It's all about teaching her to care for herself from an early age,' Sharp explains. 'By modeling these positive habits, I hope she'll grow up with a solid understanding of the balance between caring for others and making sure to take care of herself, too.' Whether it's asking for an ice cream date with dad or simply letting them know when she needs some space, Sharp and her husband encourage their toddler to express her feelings. 'My husband and I always think Amelia is such an old soul,' Sharp reveals. 'Even though she may not grasp all the details now, I think she can definitely pick up on my tone of voice and the energy I put into my messages. She's incredibly smart, and we have such a good way of communicating with each other.' Despite the video's silliness, the intention behind it has resonated with many stay-at-home parents. Sharp says it's all about 'finding those pockets of time in between the chaos.' Read the original article on People
