Q: I love my two toddlers, but the constant refrain of ‘mommy, do this; mommy, I want; mommy I need’ is driving me to drink. I need a break so I can reconnect to the ‘me’ I lost when I became a mother. My friend feels the same. Where should we go?

A: An informal poll of my FB mom friends showed that when women allow themselves to take off on a girls’ getaway once or twice a year, they come back renewed and feel more appreciated by their families (at least for a little while). Thankfully, hotels, resorts and spas are realizing the “mommy market” is a viable one and are featuring “girlfriend getaways” galore. Here, I rate eight that are great.

Amansala Eco-Chic Resort and Spa, Tulum, Mexico (www.amansalaresort.com and www.bikinibootcamp.com)

Bikini Bootcamp program: As a special offer to AOL/Patch readers; this luxury resort on the Riviera Maya (host to celebrities like Charlize Theron and Cindy Crawford) is offering $200 off the regular price of $2,194 for a six night/seven day girlfriend getaway emphasizing physical, mental and spiritual change (therefore no hairdryers or TV).

Package Perks:

• Accommodations (based on double occupancy; shared can be arranged for solo travelers)
• All meals (healthy, organic and locally grown food) 
• Yoga and meditation 
• Fitness classes including circuit training, body sculpting, beach cardio, kickboxing, Pilates mat, and cardio dance
• Two massages 
• Three excursions including: biking trips (one to the Mayan Ruins) and a snorkeling adventure 
• Mayan clay treatment ritual, tribal drumming, cooking lessons, nutritional education, dancing lessons; and sessions with life coaches and relationship experts

The Alexis Hotel, Seattle, Washington (www.alexishotel.com)

Downtown Divas Package: Approximately $525 per person (plus tax) for a two night weekend. Available through December 31, 2011; call 206-516-5097 to book. Seattle is your Mecca if you’ve ever wanted to visit the place of the birth of Starbucks or Nordstrom, or check out the Space Needle (www.spaceneedle.com)

Package Perks:

• Overnight accommodations for two
• Spa treatment (choose from massage or facial) for two
• $50 perfume credit at the hotel’s Parfumerie Nasreen
• Chocolate covered strawberries and champagne 
• Roundtrip Town car service to the Nordstrom flagship store
• Nordstrom Personal Shopper
• Complimentary overnight valet parking

Lansdowne Resort, Loudoun County, Virginia (www.lansdowneresort.com and www.visitloudoun.org)

Girls’ Getaway Package: For $329 a night, through August, grab a friend (or two) and relax in the heart of D.C.’s Wine Country. Loudoun County attractions include 28 boutique wineries, beautiful horse country, and Civil War heritage sites.

Package Perks:

• A two-bedroom suite
• Pajamas, spa products, VIP coupon books for the Leesburg outlets 
• Two spa treatments (50-minute Swedish massage, salt glo, manicure/pedicure or a 50-minute European facial)

Skytop Lodge, Skytop, Pennsylvania (www.skytop.com)

Alternative to Ladies Night Package: Escape to the Pocono Mountains for $535 per night, double occupancy (two nights minimum; no Holidays); till December 21, 2011.

Package Perks:

• Bottle of champagne
• Three meals daily
• One manicure or pedicure per lady, per night
• $100 Spa Voucher per person
• Exercise options, including body sculpting classes and ice skating
• Gift bag with coupons to The Crossings Premium Outlets:
• Complimentary "chick flick" movie rental                           

Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, St. Thomas US Virgin Islands (www.bolongobay.com)

Girls Beach Getaway:The four-night package (available through August 31, 2011) is $1,299 for two people.

Package Perks:

• Ocean view room
• Manicure and pedicure with a bottle of champagne plus tropical fruit 
• A round of martinis at Bolongo's Lobster Grille bar 
• A half-day snorkel trip or Sunset Harbor Cocktail Cruise on board the resort's 53' catamaran 
• A 45-minute Jet Ski tour

Wentworth By the Sea Hotel & Spa, New Castle, New Hampshire (www.wentworth.com)

The Best Friends Spa Package: For $379 a night ; from November 2011 through April 2012-promo code GGK) you can enjoy a two night stay at the only NH hotel on the Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure 2011 lists of "best hotels in the world”.

Package Perks:

• Deluxe accommodations
• Daily Champagne Breakfast for two
• Spa Credit $50 per person
• Wine & cheese plate upon arrival

New Life Hiking Spa, Killington, Vermont (www.newlifehikingspa.com)

Girlfriend "Hiking Spa" Getaway: Experience exhilarating hiking in a country setting, named one of the top 10 fitness vacations in the world by MSNBC in 2010 and 2011. $207 per person/per night for a 2-4 night mini-vacation, $197 per person/per night for the 5-10 day jump-start getaway. For August, get $300 off the price (double occupancy) of the 11-night Weight Loss Retreat.

Package Perks:

• Room with private bath
• Three healthy meals per day, plus snacks
• One massage for every three night stay
• Guided hikes 
• Fitness activities (water workouts, yoga, Pilates); cooking demos, healthy eating lectures

Forty 1° North, Newport, Rhode Island; www.41north.com

Jackie O. Package: ($665/night for weeknight stays, $890/night on weekends, based on double occupancy, no minimum stay). Through October 1, 2011 you can live just like past Newport resident Jackie O. did (and even take a polo or equestrian lesson) at this waterfront, classically elegant hotel. Nearby attractions include tours of the historic Newport mansions, shopping on Thames Street, and sailing in Newport Harbor.

Package Perks:

• A premium water view or city view guest room with luxury touches such as Frette bedding
• Guided champagne Harbor Tour of Newport, aboard the resort's private launch
• Pair of iconic oversized black sunglasses 
• One "Jackie O's Rose" specialty cocktail

Board of Dreams

Q: My kids attend public school in Fort Lee. I disagree with some of the decisions that have been made by the school board for budget reasons (especially letting teachers go that my kids loved). How can I best voice my opinion and have it heard?

A: Share your thoughts on Patch’s Local Voices or leave a comment. Or, speak up at the next public school board meeting, held on either the first and third or second and fourth Mondays of the month at 8 p.m. at the School No. 1 library at 250 Hoym Street.

Editor’s note: If you have questions related to parenting, raising kids or just generally being a mom, feel free to submit them to the author at estellewriter@aol.com, like the author at http://www.facebook.com/estelle.sobel.erasmus or email the editor at erik.wander@patch.com. Your question might just be featured in a future column.