My husband is in the military and for the last 2.5 years has been in and out for days, weeks, and even an entire month at a time, just about every other month.

When we arrived at our current unit here on Guam I was about 8 weeks pregnant, without a car, and potty training our oldest girl. To say that I was stressed would be an understatement. We had no idea, but life on a tropical island wouldn't be all beach days and pina coladas for us.

For almost the entire final month of my pregnancy my husband was out to sea, he barely arrived in time for the birth of our second daughter.

While also adjusting to being a new mother of two (extremely difficult), parenting solo much of time, I was building my lactation practice and launching my website.

When my husband was home, we spent much of our time bonding as a family and catching up on all the things that weren't able to be done when he was away. At night, he and I would spend time together or I would work.

Each night I'd go to bed around midnight, wake up multiple times to breastfeed my youngest, and then be up for the rest of the day at the crack of dawn with my toddler. Life was becoming quite overwhelming and I could feel myself beginning to crack.

When I finally felt as though I just couldn't take anymore, I asked my husband to take some much needed time off of work. He had been missing our girls and it seemed like each time he returned from a trip away the girls were hitting new milestones and becoming actual little ladies and not babies anymore. My husband agreed and we made plans for me to getaway.

On October 7th of this year, my 30th birthday actually, I boarded a flight solo. The first trip I'd ever taken without coworkers, friends, or family, and headed to the most magical island. Bali. I spent 5 days trekking around Ubud, making new friends, visiting lush rice terraces, sipping coconut milk flat whites, enjoying a massage, taking a traditional Balinese cooking class, getting a full night's rest, and actually eating nourishing meals.

It was heaven. Exactly what my mind and body needed.

Yes, I missed my girls immensely, but my husband did a stellar job of parenting. He helped them to make paper beads and create their own necklaces. He was sure to keep me up to date with photos and in no way hinted that the -ish had hit the fan and I should stress.

I came back completely rejuvenated and ready to tackle more months of solo parenting, but also a new found sense of self.

I know it's not possible for every mama to take a trip abroad, but I do encourage every stressed out-mama, at the end of her rope, to find a way to step away when they need to. It doesn't make you any less committed to your family; quite the opposite. It shows that you value your own sanity over the perception of others and you recognize that self love is just as important as loving your family.