Chicago girls' weekend

Sometimes, finding the time to recharge our batteries is challenging. I know that as a mom, the endless to-do list, kids’ activities, and the guilt of leaving it all behind can be overwhelming. However, remember that we are human, and everyone needs and deserves downtime. It makes us better people and moms. I love a girls’ weekend in Chicago.

Where to stay

There are so many wonderful options in Chicago. We stayed at The Gwen on Michigan Avenue on my most recent girls' weekend. The location provides easy access to everything Chicago offers; bonus, it’s attached to an indoor mall. The lobby and rooms are beautifully decorated in a glam/deco style.

The Gwen has some fun features, such as a rooftop terrace, a swanky bar, and two restaurants. They also offer a Tipsy Tea Party featuring traditional tea, cocktails, small bites, and a vibrant atmosphere perfect for girl time. You can also catch one of their themed events, such as Mean Girls or Sex in the City. With exceptional customer service and a champagne vending machine in the lobby, this Marriott property is spot-on for a girls’ trip.

Where to eat

It’s not an excellent trip for me without good food, and Chicago doesn’t disappoint. I love walking the different neighborhoods and exploring new places to eat. Recently, a girlfriend and I discovered Ella and Elli, a cute, cozy restaurant in the Lakeview area. It is small, and we didn’t have a table reservation, but we could sit on comfy couches next to a fire, sip delicious wine, and share plates of Italian-inspired food.

Another favorite is Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House. I like a good seafood restaurant, but my favorite dish is the giant slice of chocolate cake that the entire table can share.

Some other food/drink places to check out on your girls’ trip are Pops for Champagne, The Purple Pig, Girl & The Goat, Adobo Grill, and Yolk for an indulgent breakfast.

Where to Play

Shopping is an excellent choice for a girls’ trip, and Chicago has something for everyone. You could easily spend the entire weekend in stores. I recommend stopping by Rebellion, a female-owned shop in the 900 North Michigan Shops. This boutique features goods made by independent designers and artists. You will find unique clothing, handbags, jewelry, and more. The owner’s mission is to support women in business, and they even converted part of the store into a space to host events for women’s causes.

Chicago is a great place to see a show. There are Broadway productions, concerts, and the famous Second City comedy club where Joan Rivers, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and more started their careers.

Spend some time wondering about the Art Institute, which has a beautiful café. If the weather is good, take a riverboat cruise or enjoy Chicago's beautiful outdoor spaces, such as Millennium Park, the lakefront, or Lincoln Park.

You can check the Choose Chicago events calendar for more ideas.

Surviving kids' sports so everyone wins

It’s always entertaining when people ask me if my kids are involved with sports. I start to rattle off the list, and their jaw drops slightly. The kids have always been active, and luckily, it easily fits into our lifestyle. This translates to mom being available 24/7 to chauffeur, flying to highly sought-after destinations (like run-down rinks in the middle of nowhere), and being a master scheduler that can be in three different locations simultaneously.

Thank goodness for the carpool gods and our street having oodles of active kids. Shout out, and big thanks to those moms. However, learning how to become a supportive sports parent was more challenging than getting everyone to where they needed to be.

I got lots of practice with my firstborn, a highly competitive figure skater. Unfortunately, her perfectionist personality often clashed with my go out, have fun, and do your best parenting style. This caused many tears for both of us and motivated me to seek a sports psychologist to help. With professional help and trial and error, I was able to be that pillar she needed to go out and compete against Olympic medalists. Now I can look back and be grateful for these struggles as I am a much more relaxed sports parent for my two younger boys.

My top six tips for surviving kids’ sports, no matter what level.

1. Stay consistent in your reactions. You love your child no matter how they perform. If you react the same, if they do well or not, it shows them that.
   

2. Validate tough losses, don’t brush them off. If I say it’s ok when it isn’t to them, I feel like I am saying the way they feel is not ok. So instead, I will say something like, I can tell from how you are acting that was not the outcome you wanted. It’s ok to feel sad and disappointed; those are normal emotions.
   

3. Just be there with what they need. Keep yourself busy by ensuring they have snacks, water, Bobbie pins, or whatever their sport calls for. If they have everything, they need, you will both be less stressed.
   

4. They don’t have to be the best. Remember, kids all develop at different rates. It’s okay if your child isn’t the best on the team. However, it is essential that they love the sport and want to keep practicing and improving.
   

5. Be a collaborative parent. This means don’t undermine the coach. If you talk badly about a coach in front of your child, they can lose faith in the coach and think they don’t have to listen to them. It’s better to address any coaching issues directly with the coach and work together for a solution.
   

6. Make friends with other parents in the sport. I’m not sure I would survive the ups and downs of competitive skating without our rink family. Rides, emotional support, or advice, you are not alone. You have an entire team.

One of my proudest sports mom moments was when I attended a tennis match, and the coach called me over to show me what court my son was on. The coach said my son was so excited every time I came to watch, and he couldn’t say that about most parents and athletes. Our kiddos know it takes much practice to be good at something. That’s also true about being a good sports parent.

Strong women, we need them

With the passing of a beloved aunt who was the most resilient person I have ever met, I can reflect and be grateful for all the strong women I grew up with and those I have met throughout the years. These women have shaped me. In some cases, I couldn’t fully grasp and understand their strength until I was an adult. The older we are, the more we know how difficult and gritty life can get. To thrive in life, it is essential to have strong women in your life.

The women who inspire me have their life trauma and experiences but still lift others and find joy and celebration. If they have a problem, they don’t dwell in self-pity. Most of them have picked themselves up countless times in unimaginable conditions.

The strongest women I know love and care unconditionally. They don’t expect something in return. They offer empathy and understanding when you have a meltdown or don’t have as much grace in handling situations as you would like to. Yet, they do not judge; they are safe.

I have been asked several times how I am mentally tough and can see the good in bad situations. I have been through circumstances that feel overwhelming. What keeps me going? I have strong women as role models and influencers in my life. It’s me knowing I want the same for my daughter. These women have shown me that true strength is resilience and supporting others.

This is what I have learned. Grab the strong women in your life, hold on to them tight, and know their importance and influence on you. Better yet, be one of those women.