Why Do Moms Feel Guilty Leaving Their Kids? | Solo Travel & Mom Guilt

When was the last time you did something entirely for yourself without feeling guilty about it? A girls' trip. A weekend alone. Dinner by yourself. Or simply leaving the house without worrying about everyone else's needs. In this episode of She's Not Done, Andrea and Kouelee have an honest conversation about solo travel, motherhood and the guilt that comes with putting yourself first. Kouelee shares how she went from never considering a trip without her children to discovering how liberating it feels to travel without carrying the family's mental load. But even when she's away, she still prepares meals, organizes clothes and makes sure everything at home runs smoothly. Andrea shares a very different experience. Her first solo trip while still married gave her the space to reflect on her relationship and what she wanted from her life. She also opens up about the complicated reality of traveling after divorce and why having time away from your children doesn't automatically mean you're emotionally free to enjoy it. Together, they explore the expectations mothers place on themselves, the importance of supportive partners and friendships, and why learning to prioritize yourself can feel so uncomfortable. They also discuss: Why mothers feel guilty traveling without their children The invisible preparation that happens before a mom takes a break Solo travel during marriage versus after divorce Why a supportive partner matters Learning to enjoy your own company How self-care can be as simple as putting down your phone and reading a book Finding peace after divorce Stepping outside your comfort zone Because loving your children and loving time away from them are not mutually exclusive. We want to hear from you: Have you ever taken a trip without your children? If not, what's stopping you: guilt, finances, logistics or simply not wanting to go? She's Not Done — The place where difficult conversations begin. 00:00 – Solo Travel: Freedom or Mom Guilt? 04:00 – My First Girls' Trip & Escaping the Mental Load 08:00 – Preparing Your Family Before Leaving 11:00 – Solo Travel, Marriage & Finding Yourself 16:00 – Why Moms Struggle to Put Themselves First 20:00 – Traveling After Divorce & Missing Your Kids 25:00 – Learning to Enjoy Time Away Without Guilt 29:00 – Self-Care, Burnout & Disconnecting 33:00 – Finding Peace After Divorce 37:00 – What's Stopping You From Taking a Break? Thank you for being here! And remember, you are NOT alone and you are Not done. xxx Andrea & Kouelee Here is where you can find us online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shesnotdonepod/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shesnotdonepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Shesnotdonepod Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Shesnotdonepod?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio