Military mama: ‘Mommy TDY' just what I needed

When it comes to being a military wife I will admit I am a bit of a pansy.

When my husband deployed the first time the prospect of living in Sin City with a grumpy toddler didn’t sound very appealing. Since my family was within a day’s drive it made sense to do the “Deployment Deployment,” a.k.a. “the runaway.”

We spent the holidays with my family instead of toughing it out on our own. Does this make me a wimp? Possibly. However, it was precious time spent with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that my son otherwise only knew from photos.

Recently my husband and I experienced a bit of a reversal of roles.

As our vacation was winding down, reality was starting to set in with me — the idea of spending all summer trying to entertain Kaleb. And protecting Aidan and Brooklyn from older brother love/mauling had me drained just thinking about it.

For one of the first times in my life I had no upcoming obligations; Kaleb was out of preschool for the summer and the twins were growing fast, but not fast enough to keep up with Kaleb.

So I decided to stay.

Normally this wouldn’t be a snap decision, having packed for only one week and instead staying for nearly two months. But it seemed like an ideal opportunity for my kids to be able to spend quality time with their grandparents and a set of cousins already staying there for the summer. It was a win-win.

It certainly was not the first time my husband and I have been apart, all of which were a direct result of the military. It was, however, the first time he’s experienced a “reverse TDY.” He was the homebody, waiting for his family to arrive and doing his best to keep the domestic duties afloat along with his Air Force obligations.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband and I am grateful for the time we get to spend together. When my husband goes TDY or deploys I constantly remind myself it is “for the greater good,” but truly this self-inflicted, self-indulgent “Mommy TDY” was just the refresher I needed.

I realize not everyone can up and leave whenever they get the desire. But if you do get the chance to get away, take it. Clovis is full of really great people, and if you look hard enough there is plenty to do to keep busy. Yet, the feeling of breaking the everyday cycle is truly freeing.

So take a day trip, take a weekend or if you’re like me take two months. If you can’t physically get away from it all take 20 minutes to get a massage, a new hair style or just take a walk. Maybe you, too, can escape the madness just long enough to miss it.

Loni Newby is a Clovis mom, married to the Air Force. Contact her at: Loni.Newby@gmail.com