Sober Mom Vegas: Unexpected Wild Weekend

The Sober Vegas Experience

In my 20s, I dreamed of hitting Sin City for a hedonistic weekend that could only be remembered via poorly scribbled notes written in an inebriated haze.

Exploring the Strip Sans Booze

As a sober mom in my 30s, the Vegas trip finally happened, but it was far from the wild party scene I had envisioned. Instead, I explored the Strip without the aid of booze, discovering a new side of Vegas that was just as exciting.

I stayed at the Park MGM, the only non-smoking hotel on the Strip, which was a welcome respite from the usual smoke-filled atmosphere. I even got a massage and picked up some goodies from the Hello Kitty Cafe before meeting up with my friend.

Discovering Immersive Art and Family-Friendly Activities

We visited Wink World, rode the Haley’s Comet zipline, and explored immersive art at Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart, which was an unforgettable experience.

In the evenings, we found ways to have fun that didn’t involve getting plastered while talking to strangers and making regrettable decisions. One night, we sat near the front row for “Kà,” which is exactly the way you want to enjoy a Cirque du Soleil show.

Navigating the Casino Scene Without the Aid of Booze

We even ventured into the casino and quickly played, and lost, a few bucks playing blackjack and roulette. But we still managed to make it back to our rooms with enough time to catch an episode of “SVU” and fall asleep without the aid of booze.

Leaving town, my wallet didn’t hurt, nor did my head. No regrettable calls made, no regrettable actions taken. It was a sober Vegas experience that I would never forget.

Finding Balance as a Mother and Writer

The Struggle to Pursue Creative Ambitions

As a mother, I struggled to pursue my creative ambitions, feeling like I had to choose between being a good mother and a good writer. But I realized that writing was not just about finishing a book, but about staying balanced and present as a mother.

I started writing again on my long commute, skipping naps and jotting down notes on the back of a napkin. What surprised me was all the ideas I had, many of them new preoccupations.

Rediscovering Writing as a Means to Stay Balanced

I took my creative projects more seriously and found a coach who helped me move past old roadblocks. My son became a toddler, and I could feel my creativity expand with him.

We went to music classes and I sang out loud for the first time in years, a joy from my own childhood that I’d long forgotten. Reading to him reminded me of the building blocks of storytelling.

The Freedom to Create Without Judgment

And, like all children, my son’s imagination was unencumbered by the judgment of whether work was “good” or “bad.” I took this freedom into my writing sessions, along with the understanding that writing a book was only a small part of my creative spirit.

For so long, I was focused solely on finishing my novel, but now I see that the practice of writing helps me stay balanced, the same way that running and eating well do. Writing also allows me to be more present as a mother.