I Left My House and Boarded a Flight to London

Everyone in my family is blowing up my phone calling me irresponsible, but I genuinely feel like I made the only choice that would preserve my mental health.

I am a mother of three kids under the age of six. For the last five years, I have not slept for more than four hours a night. My husband is a weekend dad. He works 40 hours a week and thinks that excuses him from all household responsibilities. I do the cooking, the cleaning, the doctor appointments, and the tantrums. I lost my career, my personal time, and my sanity.

Last Tuesday, I hit a breaking point. I asked him to watch the kids for just two hours so I could rest. He sighed, rolled his eyes, and said, "Can you just put them in front of a screen? I'm exhausted."

Something inside me just snapped. It wasn't loud. It was very quiet.

I walked into our bedroom, packed a single duffel bag with my clothes and my passport. I walked back into the living room, dropped the house keys on the coffee table, and said, "I need a break."

I drove to the airport, bought a ticket to London using my personal savings, and boarded the plane. I am currently sitting in a peaceful hotel in the UK. My husband has called me dozens of times. My mother texted me saying I abandoned my home. But for the first time in five years, I slept for ten hours straight. Am I the asshole for finally putting myself first?