Traveling Without Your Kids?

Me and DH were speaking the other night and I told him I would like to take a mini vacation when the boys are between 6 months to a year, just the two of us for 3-4 nights. We have family that would love to watch them during that time and I would not worry about that.

Have any of you done this? Is it harder then i am expecting it to be - emotionally? My SIL went on a cruise with our family when my nephew was a year (her mom watched him) and she seemed fine until the last day. She said it was worth it to get alone time with my brother.

Just wondering your thoughts and/or experiences.

Re: Traveling Without Your Kids?

I have not done it yet, I am going aways with friends overnight in August and that will be the first time away. I am sure part of me will be sad but it won't stop me from going and having a good time.

Re: Traveling Without Your Kids?

My oldest is 4 and a half years old and my dh and I have never gone away just the 2 of us for more than 1 night (to Atlantic City).

AND...we left AFTER we put him to sleep and were back before bedtime the next night.

For me, it's just too stressful leaving the kids with my parents. (and I don't have anyone else) My mother is the type to serve donuts for breakfast, chocolate for lunch...if that's what her grandchildren want. There's no request too crazy! That makes me nuts!

For a few hours...to reconnect with my dh is great. More than that, I'd loose my mind!

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I'm going away with my DH, cousin and his gf this October for the first time without Jared. My mother will be watching him. In October, Jared will be 16 months. I know that he'll be fine...I just don't know how I'm going to take it.

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Dh and I went away for 4 nights when dd was 4 months old. We felt that we needed the time to relax and reconnect and that dh is too young to notice that we were gone. She stayed with both my mom and my ils and had a great time with both. It was hard for us but we are glad we did it.

Message edited 6/27/2006 11:50:21 AM.

Re: Traveling Without Your Kids?

My original plan was 1 year but I really don't see that happening. Hopefully when she's 2 I'll be ready so we can get an alone vacation before we TTC #2.

Re: Traveling Without Your Kids?

My DH and I have been away for trips up to a week. It's def very difficult to be away from the kids (especially emotionally), but once you are gone and being that you know that they are in good hands (our kids usually stay with my folks), then it gets easier. I think it's very healthy for my own state of mind, my husband's and my marriage that we have that time alone.

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Well since Rachel just got me sappy about grandparents in her post, I have NOOO problem leaving them with their grandparents on either side.
I really never had this "I never left them for more than 30 seconds" thing and never had an emotional breakdown, maybe its just my personality (bad mommy!). If I know they are super secure, love where they are, Im happy.
Of course we miss them and talk about them every second, but we enjoy our time alone, and I love the fact that they are bonding with grandparents or Godparents or cousins.

Their grandparents adore them to pieces, and what kid doesnt want to each cookies and chocolate once in a while, I know my grandparents did with us aLL SUMMER in Italy every time we went. It wont kill em. I do have moments where I get annoyed, but I try to think of when it will be me, grandparents are here to spoil them, let em indulge.
and some of my best memories are those with ice cream all over my face, at my grandparents house, lol.

That being said, we left my little one at like 4-5m when we took big brother to sesame and hershey. We felt bad NOT taking big brother on a mini vacation for a couple of days. and we felt bad taking a 4m old into the hot sun. It was a tough decision, it made my heart heavy to think I was leaving out my baby, but we were SOOOO glad that we did, it was SOOO hot out, and he had a wonderful time with grandma and grandpa, and big brother got some special time with mommy and daddy alone again. he was only 17m whenbaby came along, so he indulged in his special time with us.

Other than that, we're not much for really going on vacations alone. in some ways, its all about the kids. I dont think we've gone on any, that I can think of. alone time we have is if the grandparents want them overnite, things like that. Although we LOOVE cruises.... i cant imagine it being fun for anyone, taking 2 toddlers along, so we're waiting for them to ge older to all go together...

sorry for rambling...

Message edited 6/27/2006 12:12:11 PM.

Re: Traveling Without Your Kids?

Patrick will be 5 in July & I have seen him everyday of his life. I made sure even when I was in the hospital that I saw him at least for an hour a day. I am not ready for it.

My sister is dying to take him to Alabama to visit my brother & I refuse to let her. Just can't do it!

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Wow, I've never been away from my 15 month old for more than 5 hours. I can't even imagine 4 days!

I think I'd enjoy the time away, but it just doesn't seem right for us. My daughter would be safe, but she's very attached to me so I think it would be stressful for her.

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My son is 3 1/2 and I have never spent a night away from him
We are debating the same thing as DH and I would really like to go on a cruise in a few months.

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DH and I will be heading to Jersey for two nights for a wedding in July(not exactly a vacay)

Bella will be with my Dad and his fiance from Friday morning to Sunday morning. I have been away from Bella for one night before a few times, but two is different...but I am one of 6 kids so I know she will be just fine.

She will be 10 months old...

We also have another wedding in Mexico in January, that will probably be 3 nights...still gotta figure that one out...

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It's definitely harder than you would imagine. Not saying you won't enjoy the time off. It's more like you left the most important people in your life behind - and your mind is on them anyway.

I do think it's a great idea. I just think it's easy to say before they're here. We only took overnight trips for a few years. When we finally got around to a 4 day vacation (4 years later), we missed them like crazy and felt renewed at the same time.

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Granted, my opinion may change once the baby is born, but DH and I plan on taking alone trips once we have our . What we want to do is to take one family vacation a year and then one solo vacation- even if it's just for a couple of days.
We're actually tossing around the idea of going to Mexico next summer without the baby. The baby will split time with both my parents and my ILs and we will meet our friends, who just moved to California, in Puerto Vallarta for a week.

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DH and I are going to Barbados in 12 days alone. I am looking forward to the alone time. DS will be at home with his grandma. I am nervous about it but I am looking forward to relaxing for a couple of days.