I send my kids to stay with family over the summer. I deserve time away from them, and they have fun.

• Tanya Mitra's kids spend part of their summer with other family members.
• She said it was important for parents to be apart from their children and take time for themselves.
• As a couples counselor, she believes kids benefit from making memories with different people.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tanya Mitra. It has been edited for length and clarity.