Disclosure: Diary of a First Time Mom is proud to partner with Denny’s as a #DennysDiners Blogger Ambassador. Stay tuned for exclusive content and menu news. Although we’re being compensated in some form, all opinion remain our own.

Dear Diary,

When I became pregnant, I entered a strange new world. I joked that an alien was growing inside me. I entered a universe filled with weird words like layettes and nipple shields. It was home to parents who walked their children on leashes, spoke the language of gibberish and fell asleep in the middle of my sentence. Giving birth could be compared to the invasion of the body snatchers. My breasts sagged. My skin stretched. My memory…what was I saying, oh, yeah, my memory lapsed. And my idea of a fun Friday night is no longer a night club but a night out to eat with my mini me, especially if it includes coloring.

Independence Day 3

And bacon! I’m not only on this parenthood planet. That’s why Denny’s introduced its Red, White & Bacon menu. Featuring seven sweet and salty dishes that many moms crave, the limited-time menu celebrates bacon and the long-awaited film Independence Day: Resurgence, the ultimate alien movie we can relate to that’s coming to theaters nationwide on June 24.

Independence Day 1

Denny’s is asking guests and movie fans alike to help combat an impending alien invasion by posting a picture of the group of people they would fight alongside. By hashtagging photos on Twitter or Instagram with #IDRSweepstakes, participants will be entered for a chance to win an all-inclusive trip to the movie’s Hollywood premiere–translation, a day off from diaper duty.

Here’s my shot! I was one of the last females in the family to have a baby, so my sister and cousins helped me navigate my way through the strange, new world. They would definitely fight alongside me if aliens attached!

#IDRSweepstakes

If you don’t win a trip to Hollywood, you can still take a trip to Denny’s and treat yourself–or your entire alien crew. The new menu features Red, White & Blue Slam®, Honey Jalapeño Bacon Slam®,  Triple Bacon Sampler, Honey Jalapeño Bacon Sriracha Burger,  Loaded Bacon, Steak & Potato Skillet, Bacon Cheddar Tots, Lemon Berry Smoothies and Berry Blue Lemonade. Denny’s also brought back another guest favorite with the Maple Bacon Sundae.

Sriracha Burger w Honey Jalepeno Bacon

Here are other ways you can celebrate your independence, even if it’s only for a day.

  1. Explore your city solo: Last week, I went to the museum. I usually take Caitlynn and her friends and spend most of the time on the dinosaur floor. This day, I ventured beyond the natural history side and into the art galleries.
  2. Move up bedtime: Tuck your little ones into bed earlier, and enjoy the extra evening hour. Run a bubble bath. Watch a movie that isn’t Rated G. Or pour a glass of wine.
  3. Take a class: As a mom, I’m constantly teaching new things to my daughter. Why not learn something myself for a change? I recently registered for a few business courses.
  4. Book a babysitter: Recruit a friend or family member or hire a neighbor to watch the kiddos for a couple of hours. You don’t even have to leave the house! While your children are safe and supervised, take a nap, read a book or run an errand.

Hey DFTM Fam–Was motherhood alien to you? How do you still get in a few moments of independence?

About The Author

Vlog Mom/DFTM Creator

Not long ago, Heather Hopson hosted a television show in the Cayman Islands. Today, she's back home writing a different kind of story as a new mom. In her 15 years working as a professional journalist, this by far is her best assignment! Growing up, she dreamed of becoming Oprah Winfrey. She was the features editor for her school’s newspaper and a teen talk show host for her city’s most popular radio station. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. After graduation, she worked as a television producer and reporter at CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates throughout the U.S. Instead of heading to Chicago to join Ms. Winfrey on her set, she bought a plane ticket to the Cayman Islands instead. She arrived five days before a category five hurricane! She lived in paradise for seven years, hosted an award-winning television show and traveled the globe with a government delegation. She also served on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and spearheaded a Send a Kid to Camp campaign. Then, she relocated to Washington, D.C. to obtain a teaching certification and instruct 8th grade reading at a high needs middle school. She later returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh, PA to raise her daughter Caitlynn, now 4-years-old. During her 10-month-stint as a stay-at-home mom, Caitlynn inspired her to create this blog, and Diary of a First Time Mom was born on Mother’s Day 2012. Two years later, she expanded the family to include 20+ writers. Currently, Heather serves as the communications director at Allies for Children. In addition, she is the owner of Motor Mouth Multimedia, which ranked #49 in Startup Nation’s Home-Based 100 Competition sponsored by Discover Card and Sam’s Club. Recently, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments selected Heather to receive an Emerging Black Artist award to develop Diary of a First Time Mom.

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