Aloha Friday: A Fun Night Out = Abandoning My Family?
Last Thursday night, I had the pleasure to go see Dr. Phil Plait (aka BadAstronomer) talk. He spoke of such interesting subjects as the end of the world, Hollywood and eggs standing on end. Amazingly, he was able to relate those things together into a coherent (and downright funny) speech including some clips from Armageddon and Deep Impact. While there, I met TechSkeptik. We had a great time talking about many things before and after Phil’s speech. (No, not during. That’d be rude. Besides, Phil’s speech was too interesting to allow for talking.)
As I went to the speech, excited though I was, I also felt guilty. I usually go home, make dinner and help get the boys ready for (and into) bed. Instead of helping out my family, though, I was going to hear a speech for my own enjoyment. I felt selfish, even though I knew that nights out like this for me are extremely rare. I really don’t have any friends here that I can have a guys’ night out with. Back in June, I posted about feeling isolated at times. That feeling still pops up from time to time. Yet here I was out on the closest thing to a "guys’ night out" that I’ve had in a long, long time and I was feeling like I was abandoning my family by doing so.
My question for you is this: How often do you have a guys’ or girls’ night out? When you do, do you feel guilty for leaving your family?
(NOTE: To balance out my night out, B had a girls’ night out of her own the very next week.)
Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.
Aloha #14
I don’t really have much of a need for a night out with my friends, although I benefit from my friends’ company. So I don’t usually go out with my friends for a girls’ night. I’d rather get together during the day. My husband gets together with his guy friends a couple of times a year. We go on dates with each other though a couple of times a month and get together with other couples and families.
.-= Heatherlyn´s last blog ..Our First Wishbone =-.
I do not go out with friends, my sons are older and I savour our family time. However I do not think parents should feel guilty for a guys night out or a girls night out as long as both parties agree and it is balanced.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010 =-.
not often! I don’t have that many girlfriends that like locally! My hubby goes golfing only when I practially make him!We should do it more though.I think it’s good for everyone all the way around!great question
.-= Olga´s last blog ..AloHa FriDaY!!! Woo-Hoo!!!! =-.
I have never been one to go out with the “girls”. I never miss an opportunity to go out with my husband though!!
i dont ever get a girls night out .. cause i have no friends where i live .. i know it is a sad life..
.-= mistie´s last blog ..Friday Photo Flashback =-.
Usually once a year and that is our Anniversary. We don’t feel guilty AT ALL!!! lol
.-= Pamela M. Kramer´s last blog ..Freebie Friday – Week 34 =-.
OOPS! I read your question wrong. The answer to that would be every 6 months. The same answer though. I don’t feel guilty AT ALL!!! lol
.-= Pamela M. Kramer´s last blog ..Freebie Friday – Week 34 =-.
Ummm Whats that? I’m lucky if we get out once every ….um I’m thinking…6 months.
Hubby gets to go out more than me. 1 or twice a month.
NOPE dont feel guilty enjoy yourself. Everyone needs a little refresher
.-= Night Owl mama´s last blog ..Aloha Friday =-.
I don’t go out often. I know it is silly, but I love doing his bedtime routine.
A girls night out? What’s that. I don’t think I have every had one. It would be nice and I would not wink a sigh at all. any girls out there?
.-= AuntieE´s last blog ..Aloha Friday -A Family Favorite =-.
I try to have a girls night out once a month. I used to feel guilty about leaving my family, but I think it’s healthy (and fun!) to do something for yourself and get out and socialize!
I think it’s been two years!! Yikes! I felt too guilty and it wasn’t even fun. We went to a bar that was super smoky and I don’t even drink. And…the music was so loud we couldn’t even talk. Now, we have nights in where the hubbys go play x-box, the kids play together, and the wives can sit upstairs and chat. It’s fun!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..What I’ve Been Up To =-.
I tried taking cake classes…I didn’t even go to the last class b/c i missed my familiy and felt like I was missing out. I’ve NEVER had a girl’s night out!
My friends are more of the luncheon crowd. Thanks goodness because I tire easily at night.
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-is-sexy.html
.-= Harriet´s last blog ..Thank goodness for Friends! =-.
Once every few months I go and scrapbook with friends. I used to feel guilty, but I don’t anymore. The kids have a blast with their dad when I am gone.
.-= Melanie @ Whimsical Creations´s last blog ..Seriously…?!?! =-.
I do go out… my husband and I both have “mental health” nights out. Sometimes its together and sometimes its out with friends. I dont feel quite as guilty as used did; but there are still little lingering doubts. I have learned that somethimes you really just got to get out and feed the adult part of your brain. I feel better when I do.
.-= Kelley´s last blog ..Aloha Friday~ How to Shower like a Woman =-.
I don’t have it and I think if I do maybe I feel guilty. I have to experience it first.
Stopping from AN Island Life.
Have a wonderful weekend.
.-= Annie´s last blog ..ALOHA Friday!! =-.
I’d like to say every week but more like once a month. And heck no, I am guilt-free!
.-= joy´s last blog ..bizarre names {aloha friday} =-.
My wife does a girl’s night one about every week. I’m glad she goes and gets out of the house. She is cooped up here all day with two kids and two dogs. Every once in a while I have a boy’s night out. Its good for you. I miss my family a lot, but its great to come home to them.
.-= TechSkeptic´s last blog ..Skeptic’s Circle 124 =-.
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