“I’ll count to three,” said my angry four-year-old, “and you go to your room.” She’s trying to change the subject. “I’d love to,” I said. “Can you lock me in?” I need a time-out at least once a day. I’ve decided to put it on my calendar and establish a new habit. Escaping for a couple of hours once a week is great, but don’t you think we are entitled to a few minutes to ourselves every day?  Try taking 20 minutes for yourself, every day for an entire week. You deserve it. How, you ask? Establish a quiet play or reading time, let them watch a movie or if you are lucky enough to have a child …

Remember when summer was the best time of the year? And when you didn’t look forward to September in the beginning of July? Summer can be tough on stay-at-home moms, especially if you lack the extra support of a babysitter or a family member willing to take over for an hour now and then. Often, taking a break is impossible. There is an option. If you can’t escape them, join them! When was the last time you laughed with your kids? If your answer is anything other than just a few minutes ago, keep reading. I know being a mom isn’t always fun. I confess, I haven’t laughed once today. I’ve broken…

It's time for a date with your significant other. Let's give the typical dinner and a movie date night a rest. Save it for the cold weather. Instead, get out and enjoy the warm summer sun together. Call in Grandma or schedule a babysitter for a weekend afternoon and explore the closest stop on the Connecticut Wine Trail. You won't even have to leave town for this relaxing date. Take a guided tour of the winery at DiGrazia Vineyards, taste their selection of wines, relax on the arbored patio or explore the country gift shop.  DiGrazia Vineyards is located on Tower Road and welcomes visitors …

It's officially summer. The kids are out of school and ready to enjoy every second of their favorite season. Dive into summer and enjoy it, but don't forget to take time for your weekly mom escape. Take in the beauty at The Legacy of Fine Craft, a faculty art exhibition opening reception at the Brookfield Craft Center on Sunday, June 26, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  The exhibition includes more than 100 works by 60 accomplished teaching artists who have shared their talents at the Brookfield Craft Center. Discover the fascinating process of raw materials to finished works in each medium through  …

I would love to have a garden full of flowers, but I don’t. Gardening takes time. It takes time that I, like many moms I know, just don’t have to spare.  I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck. — Emma Goldman Instead, I decorate with flowers. A pot on the front step to welcome us when we come home at the end of the day or a vase full of blossoms on the kitchen table to greet me in the morning is the most I can manage right now, and it is worth the small effort of seeking out my favorites. Escape this week for an hour or two by surrounding yourself with natural beauty that …

There is a unique opportunity for an escape at The Garage in Newtown. It's the Wednesday Night Poetry Series (WNPS) and it offers poets a platform to share their work and the opportunity for listeners to be moved, inspired or changed by words. "Poetry is not a turning loose of emotion, but an escape from emotion; it is not the expression of personality, but an escape from personality. But, of course, only those who have personality and emotions know what it means to want to escape from these things."  —  T.S. Eliot The microphone is open to poets, spoken-word artists, writers (including …

I'm crafty. Okay, not really. I love the idea of being crafty. I love all the supplies. I love the final product of my creative efforts, except when those efforts take too long, frustrate me or get destroyed (accidentally, of course) by a child or a pet that resides with me. I have a good stash of craft supplies left over from my doll making days, my knitting obsession and my scrapbooking intentions. I need that closet space. It may ultimately get filled with hand dyed baby alpaca yarn for that amazing sweater I hope to knit, or for the fabric I'm going to need to make a quilt, or jewelry …

Power walking is invigorating. It can increase your energy levels, help you sleep better, improve your mood and increase your stamina. What mom couldn't use a little boost in these areas? This simple workout can provide more than a great escape for this week. It can create long lasting effects if put to use daily. When the sun comes out again (someday soon), put on your walking shoes and head out the front door for a bit of free exercise. Power walking has multiple benefits, not the least of which is stress relief. According to Power Walkers World, power walking can help you reduce your risks…

Scheduling time out of the house, away from the kids is not always possible. Paying a babysitter so you can pamper yourself at the spa may not be in the budget. I know. With a little effort and planning it's still possible to take time for yourself to unwind and relax.  I've never known any trouble that an hour's reading didn't assuage.  ~Charles de Secondat Most moms read constantly. We read the news, we read the stack of papers that come home from school daily, we read books like How to Get Your Child to Sleep and Siblings without Rivalry. We read Good Night Moon and Go Dog Go until there's…

A little grown-up humor can go a long way. If your evenings are chock full of Wizards and iCarly (OK, Spencer is funny), you could probably use a night out with some intelligent humor. Escape with your significant other for a night of witty entertainment at the Brookfield Theatre for the Arts. Sylvia, A Romantic Comedy by A.R. Gurney and directed by Maureen Trotto, tells the story of a middle aged couple and the stray dog who drags change into their lives.   Admittedly, I'm partial to a story that illuminates the wisdom of a stray dog, but even if you are not a fan of canine companions, this …

Are your plans for Mother’s Day already looking hectic? Will you be running around visiting your own mother or mother-in-law? Are you wondering if your husband and children will go out of their way to to make your day special? "Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." Lucille Ball Celebrate being a mother without them. I know it seems like an odd idea, but every year I hear moms complain about Mother’s Day and how it never quite measures up. Make yourself happy in advance. Maybe you've been on a diet since …

I don’t follow the royal family much, but even I’m excited for the upcoming wedding. I adore Kate Middleton’s style and poise (doesn’t everyone?) and I’m looking forward to her big day. She’s living every little girl’s dream — she’s becoming a princess.  How can we celebrate right here in Brookfield? Join the Royal Wedding Tea Party at the Brookfield Library on Friday. Be sure to RSVP here. Pop into the UK Gourmet in Newtown for your collectables and traditional British food. Pick up a Royal Wedding Donut this week at Dunkin Donuts. They’re heart shaped glazed donuts, filled with jelly (for a…

Put the kids to bed early. Send your husband to his room, the garage, the basement, or wherever he goes to escape. Invite your friends over for a Girls' Night In. The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love — Hubert H. Humphrey, Jr. You need to be with your friends. They make you laugh. They understand your challenges. They don't mind if your house is a mess, your taste in movies is odd or that you snort like a pig when you laugh really hard. Our lives are busy and time with friends can slip down to the bottom of our To Do list. Escape the routine this week by making time for your …

A trip to the nail salon for a mani-pedi is not my favorite way to relax. I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I don't enjoy having the dead skin on my heels buffed away. Can you imagine? I don't like the sound of a file on my nails (it's right up there with scratching a chalk board).  I don't even like having my cuticles pushed back with a pointy little stick or trimmed with little nippers. I just can't seem to get into it. The results are pretty and that’s what matters. Spring weather is finally here, which means it's time to break out the sandals and open toe shoes. No one wants …

Aside from a busy life and a large dose of procrastination, what keeps you from getting a good workout? For me, it's boredom. I watch the clock. I count the seconds. I try to convince myself that I'm having fun, but I can't fool myself. I give logic a try. I tell myself that exercise is something I need to do whether it's fun or not, but logic doesn't work on me all the time. My routine needs a  little shaking up. Does yours? Zumba can deliver. In case you haven't heard, Zumba is a Latin-inspired dance-fitness program that blends  high energy international music with exhilarating, easy to …

The last movie I had the pleasure of sitting through had talking gnomes. They sang too. My kids loved it, but I found myself shifting in my seat, reading a backlog of junk mail on my BlackBerry and watching the clock in anticipation of escaping the colorful, cheery gnomes. I vowed to find time to watch a movie that would hold my attention, feed my mind or entertain me on a level that animation just can’t reach. It’s my great escape for the week and I'm inviting you to join me. Now, I know babysitters are hard to come by, so find a movie you wished you had caught in the theaters and find it On…

Being a mom means being a caregiver. It means long nights awake with sick children. It means making sure the kids are eating healthy, getting adequate exercise and not playing in traffic. We make sure they don't miss their annual check-ups with their pediatrician and dentist. We take good care of them. Are we as careful with our own health? Sometimes. Often our commitment to our own health suffers from haven't-got-the-time syndrome. Don't lie to me, I know I'm not the only woman with this excuse! Mary Ellen Barrett of The Foundation for Wellness Professionals (FWP) is working to help us take …

Every painting tells a story. And though the story is not yours or mine, it can lighten our spirit, makes us think, inspire us to do more, be more and see more. For your escape from the daily grind this week, I'm suggesting entering a realm vastly different from the noisy, messy, chore and work filled day of the typical mom. "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."  Twyla Tharp Venture out without the kids and visit The Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm for the opening reception of a new exhibit. Relax, refresh your spirit and take in the sights. In the main gallery you'll find …

If Dancing with the Stars has proven anything at all, it’s that you don’t have to study dance for years to look great and have a blast on the dance floor. Have you always wanted to salsa, tango or swing? How about a mambo or chacha? The Fred Astaire dance studio in Brookfield offers training in all types of ballroom dancing and hosts practice parties on Friday evenings to give students an opportunity  to try show off their skills and socialize.   The studio is currently offering a free introductory class, so there is nothing to lose, even if you think you have two left feet.  Do you need more…

I typically encourage you to take some time each week to do something for yourself. Every mom needs a time-out to recharge for the coming week,  but one of the best (and often overlooked) ways to boost your mood and refresh your spirit is to reach out to others and  give in a meaningful way.  This week's escape provides an energizing workout and an opportunity to contribute to a great cause. And you'll still get out of the house! Join friends and neighbors this Saturday at Fitness Revolution for a Spin-A-Thon to benefit Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut. Donations will help them provide…