My husband and I went alone to a car show in Yakima last weekend—no kids, pets or grandmothers to be seen. I don’t know how many years it’s been since we went off to a car show alone or anywhere for that matter.

We have taken our children to car shows since they were born, however, this particular car show we did not take them to until they were about six and eight years old. It’s the biggest car show we attend and it lasts four days. There are lots of events that require driving around and with only a street rod from the 30s, 40s or 50s for transportation, it wasn’t exactly conducive for entertaining young children.

Back then personal music/video devices were bulkier and not something to put in the hands of a 2-year-old in a moving vehicle. So we waited until they were well potty-trained and excited about the cars driving around the fairgrounds while they splashed in the little pool we brought to keep them entertained and cool.

But those days, when all we needed was a puddle of water to keep them busy, are over. They are teens now and want to do something more fun, like spend hours on Skype with their friends (she says with the utmost sarcasm).

Then about three years ago, my youngest daughter declared that she hated the car show in Yakima and preferred to stay home with her grandmother. My oldest, being more partial to cars than her younger sister, still enjoyed going and would accompany her father to the Friday night drag races I detest so much.

The last couple years my daughters and I haven’t gone because the temperature was in the high 90s or 100s and I can’t tolerate that kind of heat. If mom stays home, kids stay home. Then dad goes alone with a tent and his car. I maintain it’s good for him to get away by himself without us to worry about and whine about his fascination with looking at cars (don’t they all look the same?).

This year, the weather forecast for the car show weekend was in the 70s and 80s and I was excited about the prospect of going back to Yakima. But the kids were both busy working.

I agonized over the decision to go. Was it worth the expense to drive the RV for just my husband and I? As I thought about it, I wondered when the last time was my husband and I had been alone for an extended period of time. Not being able to come up with the answer was an answer in itself.

Once I got to the campground at the car show and my husband and I settled into our groove—me hanging out until there was an event I wanted to participate in, him looking at cars, I remembered why I used to come here without my kids when they were little – to be alone.

Sure, my kids are older now and in school all day during the school year, but as a stay-at-home writer and mom, I’m used to being alone a lot. And having them home all summer and facing the prospect of one in college with only night classes this fall, I feel like I’ll never be alone again.

So I needed that respite before the back-to-school craziness kicks off. Plus I needed the time to contemplate my strategy for my older daughter to be out of the house in the mornings this fall. If she’s only taking night classes, she needs to get a job. Mama needs her house back.

Gretchen Leigh is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Covington. She is committed to having the house to herself this fall. You can also read more of her writing and her daily blog on her website livingwithgleigh.com or on Facebook at “Living with Gleigh.”