My college friends and I wouldn't trade our kids for anything -- most days. But with a dozen of them between the six of us, we've never been able to hold a conversation that lasts more than 45 seconds when we all get together with our families. Then, at a holiday party a couple of years ago -- in between changing diapers, fishing grapes out of toddlers' mouths, and identifying wailing kids ("Nope, not mine") -- we hatched a plan for a no-kids, no-husbands escape. Over the years of momhood, we realized how much we'd missed the talking, laughing, and just hanging out that makes up the stuff of friendship. It took several months, and lots of phone calls and e-mails to plan, but we did it. As we wound up a wonderful weekend together -- we stayed at an old hotel, toured a Colonial-era mansion with lavish gardens, ate at charming restaurants, visited an outdoor sculpture garden -- we vowed to do it again.

This year, we're planning our third getaway, an overnight outing to a town that's an easy drive for all of us, where we can wander through antiques shops and visit a winery or two. It won't be fancy or expensive -- but it is a much-anticipated 24 hours to talk, drink girly drinks, sleep late, and just be ourselves.

Of course, for most mom friends, even an hour over coffee sounds heavenly -- and no expert has to tell you how important it is to recharge. "We all love our children...but they can consume our life. We need a break, an adult time-out," says Chrisena Coleman of Hackensack, New Jersey, mom of Jordan, 9, and Justin, 3, who plans a "girlfriend" weekend, as well as nights out, for a bunch of friends every year. And you need a place to be heard. "We ask each other for advice, we talk about our kids, our husbands, life in general, we let it all out," says mom of four Jasmin Henriquez, who meets six friends for dinner about once a month in Lakewood, California. Maybe you want a reminder that you're not just a mom. Jennifer Rogge of Lakeside, Montana, who has two kids, says she's committed to her quarterly jaunts with girlfriends because "they keep me sane and in touch with the rest of me."

Andrea Messina is Parenting's lifestyle director and the mom of a 9-year-old and 6-year-old twins.

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