If you’re a parent, you already know the truth: there are no days off. Even when you’re technically “off,” you’re not really off. Your phone still pings with school newsletters, your toddler still insists on a snack that involves opening six different packets, and your partner still can’t find the yoghurt even though it’s literally in front of their face. Parenting is relentless.

So when I stumbled across the Path of Love 7-Day Retreat in the Hunter Valley, my first reaction was: seven days away? In Hunter Valley? With no one yelling “Mum, where are my shoes?” Sign me up!

And here’s the best bit: the next retreat is happening 16–23 October 2025 in the Hunter Valley. Which means right now, while you’re reading this, you can actually book it. Consider this your sign – www.pathretreats.com

What Exactly Is the Path of Love Retreat?

Think of it as a full-body, full-mind, full-heart reset. Path of Love is a global programme that’s been running for over 30 years in 14 countries, bringing together a blend of meditation, self-inquiry, group processes, and a whole lot of emotional unravelling.

It’s intense, yes. But in the best possible way. You arrive at the retreat centre carrying all the invisible backpacks you didn’t even realise you were lugging around — the endless to-do lists, the late-night guilt spirals, the “am I a good enough parent?” thoughts — and you leave with a little less weight on your shoulders.

The Hunter Valley setting doesn’t hurt either. Rolling hills, clean air, and the kind of silence you forgot existed. No Lego bricks underfoot. No Peppa Pig theme song on repeat. Just space. Glorious, uninterrupted space.

And this October, you could be there.

Why Parents in Particular Need This

Parenting has a way of swallowing you whole. Somewhere between the night feeds and the school drop-offs, you forget what you actually like to do. Not “fun for the family” fun, but your kind of fun. Remember hobbies? Remember sleep?

That’s why Path of Love feels so radical. It’s seven whole days where no one needs you to cut grapes in half or explain why Bluey doesn’t have pants. Instead, you get to focus on yourself. On what you’re feeling. On who you are outside of the endless identity of “Mum” or “Dad.”

It’s confronting at first — parents are so used to putting everyone else first that the idea of focusing solely on yourself feels selfish. But here’s the kicker: it’s not. Because when you come back lighter, calmer, and more connected, the ripple effect touches your whole family.

So if you’ve been secretly Googling “parent reset” at midnight, here’s your chance: 16–23 October, Hunter Valley. Book now.

What Actually Happens There?

Okay, let’s be honest. A week-long retreat can sound a bit woo-woo. Are there drum circles? Do you have to chant in Sanskrit? Will you come back wearing hemp pants and calling yourself Moonbeam? That’s not Path of Love.

Here’s the reality: the retreat is structured, supportive, and deeply grounded. Yes, there’s meditation. Yes, there are movement practices. And yes, you’ll probably shed a few tears (spoiler: everyone does). But it’s not about being spiritual in a way that feels foreign or uncomfortable. It’s about creating a safe space to get real.

And part of what makes it so powerful is the support. At Path of Love, the staff-to-participant ratio is incredible — at times almost two staff for every one participant” to “an average of one staff person for every one participant. You’re held by an experienced team, the container is strong, and every detail is taken care of. It’s why so many people say they’ve never known support like it before.

You’ll experience guided self-inquiry sessions where you reflect on what’s holding you back, group processes that remind you you’re not alone, and meditations that finally quiet the mental noise. All of it is facilitated by people who know how to hold space without judgment.

It’s like therapy, but turbocharged — and the chance to do it in the Hunter Valley in spring? Honestly, dreamy.

My Favourite Bits

    •    The Silence– Do you know how rare it is to experience actual silence as a parent? At Path of Love, there are periods of noble silence where no one talks. No one. It’s bliss.

    •    The Connections– You meet people from all walks of life who are just as tired, frazzled, and longing for something more as you are. The friendships that form are real, deep, and last long after the retreat ends.

    •    The Breakthroughs– That moment when something clicks and you finally understand why you’ve been stuck in the same patterns for years. Spoiler: it’s emotional gold.

    •    The Setting– Waking up in the Hunter Valley surrounded by space and silence is therapy in itself.

The Parenting Angle

Here’s the thing: I went in thinking this was going to be a “nice-to-have.” A luxury. A bit of me-time. I came out realising it was essential. Parenting is a marathon, not a sprint, and marathons require training, rest, and recovery.

The retreat gave me a perspective shift. It reminded me that my kids don’t need a perfect parent — they need a present one. And presence comes when you’ve had a chance to breathe.

Imagine coming home and actually having the patience to handle the sibling squabbles without yelling. Or having the energy to say yes to backyard cricket instead of collapsing on the couch. That’s what Path of Love unlocks.

And the October dates mean you could come home refreshed, just in time to face the chaos of Christmas with a whole new level of calm.

The Hard Stuff

I won’t sugarcoat it — Path of Love isn’t a spa holiday. It’s not cocktails by the pool and facials on demand. It’s personal work. Emotional work. You dig deep, you face uncomfortable truths, and sometimes it feels like a lot.

But the flip side? The breakthroughs are huge. You don’t come back with just a tan — you come back with tools, clarity, and the kind of inner calm that makes the chaos of parent life a little easier to bear.

Practical Bits Parents Will Ask

    •    Can you actually leave your kids for seven days? They will survive. You will survive. In fact, you’ll all probably thrive.

    •    Is it expensive? It’s an investment, sure. But think of it as seven days of therapy, a holiday, and a reset all rolled into one. And if cost is a concern, there are options. Path of Love offers financial assistance by application — including interest-free loans and, in some cases, partial grants. What’s even more heartening is that this support often comes from past participants who were so moved by their own experience that they chose to “pay it forward,” donating funds so others could attend. It’s community care in action.

    •    Do you need to be into meditation already? Not at all. Beginners are more than welcome, and the facilitators guide you gently through everything. And no — it’s not sitting cross-legged on the floor meditating all day. The practices are varied, practical, and designed to keep you engaged.

    •    Will I feel awkward? Only for the first five minutes. After that, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this sooner.

Final Thoughts

The Path of Love Retreat is not just for yogis or wellness junkies. It’s for parents who’ve forgotten what silence sounds like. It’s for mums and dads who’ve been carrying the invisible mental load so long they don’t even notice the weight anymore. It’s for anyone who wants to reconnect — with themselves, with their partners, with their families.

So if you’ve ever caught yourself saying, “I just need a break,” this is the break. A real one. Seven days, no distractions, no demands, no constant chorus of “Muuuuum” or “Daaaaaad.” Just you, space to breathe, and a pathway back to the version of yourself that feels whole.

The retreat isn’t a one-off novelty either. Path of Love is offered twice a year in Australia, with the next one running 16–23 October 2025 in the Hunter Valley. If you can’t make that date and want to know about future retreats, you can reach out directly at australia@pathretreats.com. And if Australia doesn’t work, there are retreats held in 14 countries worldwide, plus shorter formats for those who can’t commit to the full seven days.

Another strength is that Path of Love doesn’t just stop when you leave. There’s a strong focus on integration and after-care support, with ongoing groups, community connections, and practices that help parents carry the calm, clarity, and breakthroughs from the retreat into everyday family life. Because the real challenge isn’t finding peace for seven days — it’s holding onto it when you’re back in the whirlwind of school runs, work deadlines, and dinner chaos.

And the best news? You don’t have to wait long. Spots are limited, so book now at www.pathretreats.com.

When I got home, my kids didn’t care that I’d had seven days of soul work. They cared that I could play, laugh, and actually be there with them. And that’s the gift Path of Love gave me: not just me-time, but better us-time.

Amber Chapman

https://parenthood360.com.au/the-path-of-love-retreat-why-every-parent-deserves-seven-days-of-me-time/