Am I a Bad Parent if I Occasionally Need to Get Away From My Kids?

In July, all 4 of my kids will be out of the house for a week.  DD#1 will be with her biological father in Florida for 3 weeks, and the 3 younger DD's will be at sleepaway summer camp.  While I was relishing the first week without any of my kids in the 18 years I've been a parent (excluding a week in the hospital 7 years ago), I mentioned this to a friend.  This friend said that she's the opposite, she loves having her kids around all the time.

And that got me to thinking... does wanting to escape my kids for a week make me a bad parent?  It's not like I'm taking a week off from work (I'm planning on taking 2 days, so I can clean the basement without hearing "But Mom I need that *fill in the blank*!") or going away while they're not home.  I'm just looking forward to not hearing "Mom... Mom... MOM!" and not having to cook dinner if I don't feel like it.  (DH can throw something together for himself, if I do that.  lol)  Oh, and being able to use the bathroom without someone knocking on the door.

Does that make me a bad parent?  Or does it make me a wise parent because I'm realizing I need an occasional break from being responsible for everything?  I was thinking that a week to recharge my batteries while the kids were off having their own adventures would make things better for everyone involved.  Now I'm afraid that maybe I'm looking forward to that little freedom a little too much.  What say you?

Mary

*****Tonight's dinner:  Italian Chicken and Pasta

1.5 lbs. boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, sliced 

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 medium tomatoes, chopped

1/8 C Italian seasoning (or you could use a mix of fresh basil and oregano, if you got it)

1 can Cannelli beans, drained and rinsed

3 pieces of bacon, cooked and chopped into small pieces

1 quart of homemade spaghetti sauce

1 C shredded Italian cheese blend (I used Sargento's 6 cheese Italian blend)

Parmesan cheese, grated

Salt & pepper, to taste

1 lb. cooked pasta (I used fusilli, but you could use anything)

Brown the chicken in the olive oil, and cook until done.  Add onion and garlic, cook for a few minutes.  Stir in tomatoes, seasoning, beans, and bacon.  Cook until everything's warmed through and hot.  Stir in sauce, cheeses and salt & pepper.  Cook until hot, then toss in cooked pasta.  Serve with garlic bread and olives on the side.  (You could add the olives to the chicken and pasta as well, but one of my kids prefers the olives plain.)

*This is a "nothing fancy" dinner that really hits the spot when you don't know what to make.  Oh, and it only takes about 30 minutes.  (Take that, Rachael Ray!  You don't need to stoop to using pre-made sauces and crap to make a good 30 minute meal.  lol)