The Importance of Girls Night Out

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There are married women and mothers all across the world who look forward to that special night in their lives when they get to spend time out with friends. It may not happen often, but when it does, it can literally change the face of motherhood, uplifting the spirit and renewing the senses just enough to allow these women to carry on. The importance of a girl’s night out is often not realized until after a woman takes the leap of faith and goes out with her friends.

In restaurants, bars, theaters, and other venues around the world, there is often a group of women that stands out from the crowd. They are older than the rest, dressed in modest clothes, and laughing louder than anyone else in the room. They may have crow’s feet and wear their jeans a little more loosely than the younger crowd, but they are, by far, seasoned women who know the perils of being a woman, wife, and mother. This is the night set aside just for them, where they are not expected to cut up anyone else’s steak or wipe ketchup off clothes. In fact, this is the night to leave it all behind—and behind, they do.

The Healing Power of a Girl’s Night Out

Motherhood takes its toll on a woman. It seems pretty standard that marriage and motherhood leave many women as breathless shells of the lively person they once were. Instead of cracking jokes, flirting, and being self-indulgent, they are immersed in a world that requires them to be everything to everyone but themselves. Having time to feel free, to speak their minds without worrying about who is listening, and to pretend they are the carefree, full-of-dreams person they were just a few years ago is a bittersweet opportunity to reflect. A girl’s night out is a time to let go of regrets, worries, and emotions tied to the family, and to embrace a sense of wild abandon and camaraderie with other women who feel exactly the same inside.

Girls’ night out is the time to NOT talk about potty training, but instead to complain about the lack of decency displayed by the men in our lives. It’s also the perfect setting to weigh in on the age-old discussion of whether size really matters. While few of these women would leave their regular lives behind for any reason, a girl’s night out gives them the chance to dream about what it would be like to be single again, living a life full of spur-of-the-moment decisions and plans.

There is a long-standing assumption that women who become wives and mothers simply relish the experience. Society expects women to instantly accept things like maternal instinct and selflessness without looking back. The problem is that many women do not. While few are willing—or able—to admit it, there are many who desperately need a break from the daily grind. The walls of their home may provide love, but at times they also feel like a black hole that drains the energy and motivation of even the most driven person. When you’ve wiped enough noses, done enough dishes, folded enough laundry, and spent countless nights with the same person, a girl’s night out feels like a breath of fresh air.

The importance of a girl’s night out goes beyond having fun. It’s about not having to hide your true self, relaxing, and being accepted for just who you are. It’s about not having anyone ask you anything, require assistance, or touch you. A girl’s night out is about spending time with others who understand exactly how you feel—without needing to discuss all the depressing details. It’s also about finding your way back to that inner rock star you once were, feeling sexy again, and letting go of expectations. On a deeper level, it’s knowing that you can leave the house, leave the kids with your husband, and everything will remain relatively unscathed when you return. While the kids may resent your absence, they—and your husband—will eventually respect you more for it. One side effect of a girl’s night out is a renewed appreciation for all that you do, all that you are, and all the times you choose your family over the swirling desires of a life without invisible metal bars in front of your face.

The other most meaningful aspect of a girl’s night out is that, when it’s over, you choose to come back to real life. It refreshes the mind and makes the everyday challenges—like sibling rivalry and spills—seem more manageable. It’s like fuel for the soul, which has a dramatic effect on the children. When mom feels happy, everyone else does too. Children need to see that it’s okay for mom to be someone other than just “mom.” They need to learn to respect that their mothers are independent of them, and that their needs, wants, and desires are just as important as their own. Children also need to see firsthand that mom doesn’t cling so tightly to them that she’s afraid to leave—because that only puts the responsibility for her happiness on their shoulders. It may only be one night a month, but every mom deserves a girl’s night out, whether it’s dancing or seeing a play. It reminds you just how much fun being an adult really is.