Mom celebrates kids' first day of school with solo trip to Disney World: 'Enjoy the moment'
A mother-of-two took a much-deserved day for herself and made a solo trip to Disney World to celebrate her sons’ first day back at school.
On Monday, Lisa DiNoto Glassner drove over to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. after dropping off her sons, 6 and 8, at school. The mom, who was formerly a lawyer, tells Yahoo Lifestyle that she realized life is “very, very short” after losing her father to leukemia in 2014. She quit her job, moved from Boston to Florida with her family, and they all hit the theme park regularly.
She says that it’s important for parents to take “a moment to breathe” and do whatever makes them happy as their kids go off to school.
“I believe with all my heart that moms are allowed to — and should — have mental health days. Or afternoons. Or minutes, if that's all that they can squeeze in,” Glassner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “I would throw myself in front of a bus for my boys — but my love for them in no way contradicts the fact that they are independent, happy, and kind. I also function better as a mother when I take care of my own wellbeing, too.”
Later, Glassner posted photos of her Disney escapades on Instagram. “This, my friends. This is what you do after you drop your kids off on the first day of school,” she wrote. “You get yourself a pin and you walk it around Magic Kingdom like some garden gnome on a world adventure.”
Glassner’s favorite moment on the trip was forming a connection with Cinderella’s fairy godmother, who understood why moms need a day to themselves.
“She reached into her sleeve and pulled out a bag of pixie dust and handed it to me saying, ‘This is for you and only you,’” says the mom.
Glassner adds that she also met other moms at the park who supported her decision to take time and “enjoy the moment” while her kids were in school with their friends and new teachers.
“One realized what I was doing and said that I was ‘life goals’ and wished me ‘The most wonderful day ever!’” she says. “I love when we can lift each other up and celebrate together.”
The boys weren’t upset that their mom went to Disney World alone. The family lives close enough to the theme park that they can see Disney fireworks from her bedroom window.
“They got a huge kick out of seeing the pictures I took while they were [in class],” Glassner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “We had so much fun trading stories about our day after school.”
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
Why Cameron Boyce's epilepsy-related death hit too close to home for this mom
Parkland dad pays back-to-school tribute to daughter killed in school shooting
Officials warn visitors about rabies incident near Disney World
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