As an experienced mom of college-bound kids, I've discovered that life doesn't pause when they leave home. 'You're still so busy!' friends say. Absolutely—but now, my schedule brims with adult joys rather than school runs.
Mornings haven't changed much: I still arrive early at the office, my alarm set to the old school drop-off time. I savor the commute with my husband, whom I rarely see evenings amid Paris traffic. We chat seriously—or not—pressed among fellow commuters. But evenings? Total transformation. No more rushing home to wrangle kids, ponder dinners, review homework, enforce showers, or confiscate tablets.
Instead, I've ditched home-cooked meals. Monday: drinks with a girlfriend, setting the world right. Tuesday: a one-man show for laughs, followed by dinner with another friend. Wednesday: a solo cinema outing (a long-held dream). Sure, the beer-sipping neighbor encroaching on seats dampened the vibe—why reserve spots if chaos ensues? I shuffled past 10 people as lights dimmed. Lesson learned, but worth it for that rare alone time.
Thursday: Kidexpo fair. Yes, it's kid-centric, but trust me—going solo is delightful. Chat brands, explore products fuss-free, and chuckle with blogger friends herding their tribes. AH AH AH.
Friday night? Dinner canceled, so I improvised: Deliveroo feast before Netflix's Gaspard Proust special. Indecently cynical yet brilliantly crafted. Oh wait—home dinner after all!
Saturday: Romantic bliss post-family visit. Duo massage at Lanqui Spa—the kind that hurts so good. Then, the must-see Paris show: The Franglaises at Bobino. We laughed till tears for nearly 2 hours (even my hard-to-please husband). Pure genius: famous English songs flawlessly translated into French, no shortcuts. Michael Jackson's 'Bad' as 'I'm mean, mean, mean mean mean' or Queen's 'The Show Must Go On' in seconds. Hilarious. (Did I mention that?)
Exhausted from this whirlwind week. Can't wait for the kids' return—but not before Thursday. Evenings? Fully booked! AH AH AH.
