Am I crazy....

[sdoll]

A few months ago my DH and I decided that we were going to take a vacation without our kids 2 boys 15 months and 3. We booked a cruise for Jan. Well as we get closer to making that final payment I realize I would rather take the boys to Disney World again. We usually are able to pull off 2 vacations a year. One big one and a smaller road trip. But we are thinking of just taking 1 vacation next year and work on saving more money. I guess when it comes down to it I would rather spend that money with my boys than without them. Does anyone else think I am crazy? I have moments that I think I might be. We will still take the vacation time in Jan and maybe go to Kalahari or something fun but not a cruise. My husband and I would really like to go during the food and wine fest plus I think my boys would love MNSSHP. So we are thinking next Oct. I really wish when we booked our first trip to WDW the fine print would have read "warning may cause addiction" Because let me tell you I am an addict.

 

[livndisney]

A few months ago my DH and I decided that we were going to take a vacation without our kids 2 boys 15 months and 3. We booked a cruise for Jan. Well as we get closer to making that final payment I realize I would rather take the boys to Disney World again. We usually are able to pull off 2 vacations a year. One big one and a smaller road trip. But we are thinking of just taking 1 vacation next year and work on saving more money. I guess when it comes down to it I would rather spend that money with my boys than without them. Does anyone else think I am crazy? I have moments that I think I might be. We will still take the vacation time in Jan and maybe go to Kalahari or something fun but not a cruise. My husband and I would really like to go during the food and wine fest plus I think my boys would love MNSSHP. So we are thinking next Oct. I really wish when we booked our first trip to WDW the fine print would have read "warning may cause addiction" Because let me tell you I am an addict.

I don't think you are crazy. I completely understand wanting to spend time with your children. I know mine is growing so fast, I want to spend every moment I can.

 

[Kimmumum]

You are not crazy!!! We didn't take our first vacation without our boys until they were 10 and 6. We have only take 3 total without them (and they are 14 and 10). My IL's think we're crazy for ever taking the boys with us. They don't think kids should ever go on vacation. I say I didn't have kids to leave them at home Take the kids to WDW and enjoy yourselves!!!

 

[daleswife]

Every time I get the bug to take a vacation with out the kids, I feel sooo bad about leaving them so I end up taking them too. I know how you feel. Maybe you can do a WDW vacation for the entire family and then a weekend get away for you and your hubby.....thats what Im planning for next april ( my anniversary)

 

[Mommy2JulietJocelyn]

NOT crazy just a mom. DH wanted to take me to WDW & stay in AK for our anniversary but it was just too $$$$$$$! (memorial day weekend) I don't think I could leave my kids for very long -maybe a couple days - I would rather bring them along too

 

[mommy-on-the-move]

Not at all crazy, when pg with my first I remember thinking how despite being young DH and i would make an effort to get out as just a couple, travel etc as long as we had a family holiday yearly I'd be quite happy to also travel without the kids... been a mom 11 years now and well... our kids even joined us on our honeymoon

I was looking to go away childfree for my 30th in April but have found myself drawn back to "we could all go to...... for that price" everytime I look at anywhere for just the two of us.

 

[brockash]

No, I don't think you're crazy. There's nothing else in the world that I would rather do than take my kiddos to WDW. Of course there are always moments where there are melt downs or attitude, and I think that yes going somewhere without them would have been easier, but in the grand scheme of things and for the most part, there is nothing I would rather be doing (especially since I know how quickly they're growing up, and I know I won't be able to have them like this or have them on vacations with me forever-although I will try ) If it were me, I'd change the vacation. My DH is one, who I feel like is always trying to have us "get away" without the kids, and while it is nice I guess every once in a while for a couple days, for me, I would always rather have them with us, and making memories as a family. My DH and I went to WDW once without our kids (we won a little trip for 3 days) and while it was WDW and I had fun; I can not tell you how jealous I was of all the parents with their kiddos there. It made me miss them so much and made me sad that we didn't all go as a family. How does your DH feel about it? Like I said, if it were me, I'd change to WDW with the whole family. Good luck!

 

[mjkacmom]

Although I love going on vacation with my children, I have so many wonderful memories of going away with just DH. We've gone to Hilton Head, did a couple of weekends in NYC, New Hope, Mohonk Mountain House, and took a 5 night cruise. It's a great way to re-connect and refresh the marriage. I refuse to go away without the kids to a kid friendly vacation spot - can't imagine just the 2 of us at WDW.

The older they get, the more I want them with us, just because they're a lot more fun, and easier. However, I will always make sure DH and I get our alone time, since our marriage is the base of our family.

 

[mom2aredhead]

It's mom guilt...

We don't shop for clothes for ourselves, but we always buy for the kids

And we won't spend $100 for a facial for ourselves, but $350 for a few weeks of karate or soccer is not even a thought

And we can't possibly enjoy a vacation while they're not there.

But you know what - Couples need time for themselves too. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about the kids ALL the time. I say go on the cruise, enjoy the one on one time to reconnect with your husband without the craziness of everyday life - drink wine, go dancing, do sight-seeing, go to the spa - enjoy all of the things that logistically are tough to do with kids in tow. Then plan a few long weekends or day trips with the kids and start a countdown calendar for their trip next year.

 

[mickeygaga]

Not crazy. I love my vacations because of the kids. It wouldn't feel the same without them!

 

[Miss LD]

My kids are only 4 1/2 and 6 months, but for me the idea of going on vacation without them isn't really something I want to do.
Before the baby my husband and I went on a couple weekend getaways. That's enough for me.
I think couple time is really important, but we just go for evening dates every so often.
That said, some of my friends vacation without their kids and love it! I'm not saying it's wrong. I'm just saying you're not crazy.

 

[DVCsince02]

It's mom guilt...

We don't shop for clothes for ourselves, but we always buy for the kids

And we won't spend $100 for a facial for ourselves, but $350 for a few weeks of karate or soccer is not even a thought

And we can't possibly enjoy a vacation while they're not there.

But you know what - Couples need time for themselves too. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about the kids ALL the time. I say go on the cruise, enjoy the one on one time to reconnect with your husband without the craziness of everyday life - drink wine, go dancing, do sight-seeing, go to the spa - enjoy all of the things that logistically are tough to do with kids in tow. Then plan a few long weekends or day trips with the kids and start a countdown calendar for their trip next year.

 

[islangrl]

It's mom guilt...

We don't shop for clothes for ourselves, but we always buy for the kids

And we won't spend $100 for a facial for ourselves, but $350 for a few weeks of karate or soccer is not even a thought

And we can't possibly enjoy a vacation while they're not there.

But you know what - Couples need time for themselves too. It doesn't ALWAYS have to be about the kids ALL the time. I say go on the cruise, enjoy the one on one time to reconnect with your husband without the craziness of everyday life - drink wine, go dancing, do sight-seeing, go to the spa - enjoy all of the things that logistically are tough to do with kids in tow. Then plan a few long weekends or day trips with the kids and start a countdown calendar for their trip next year.

I don't think you are crazy, but I agree with mom2aredhead
Though it's hard to leave, and you feel guilty, you will have a good time. My dad convinced me to go on a trip without the kids, and I am glad I did. You come back recharged and rested! What about your husband? I'm sure he would love some time alone with you! And you can get back some of "that woman you were before kids". KWIM? I have only done this once, and if someone was willing to take all 4 kids at once for a few days, I would go in a heartbeat!
Plus at their ages, they don't know how long a year is, so they wont know that this years vacation was parents only!

 

[Disneydreamer5]

Let me tell you, as a mother of 5, you would think the idea of vacationing without the tribe would be welcomed. Well in 2003 after much pushing from my big sister, the DH and I went on a 7 night cruise.
We were on the ship for about 4 hours when reality set in, I am not going to be able to speak with my children when the boat is out to sea.
I was in total panic mode the entire trip. I was seasick, which I have never been in my life, I was exhausted from doing nothing at all. I was crying a lot, ofcourse never in front of DH, but he knew. It was a nightmare.
By day 5 I said to my DH how much would it be to call the kids from the cabin phone?
He was like, seriously does it matter? CALL THEM NOW!
Well I did and it was a conversation that lasted all of 10 minutes but I needed to talk to all of them. The bill was over a $100 for that call and I would have paid it again and again, I missed them all terriably.
I would never go anywhere without them for that amount of time again.
They are part of me and I want to share everything I can with them.
We are extremely lucky where our kids are concerned. I have 4 teenagers who would actually rather go on vacation with us then stay home and hang with their friends. I was thinking about a cheap, 4 night cruise with my sister and brother in law in March to celebrate their 31st wedding annivesary and because it is so cheap now I am thinking about taking all the tribe along with us!
Are you crazy for wanting to take your kids???? Not even a little!
With all that said I do want to add that until that cruise without the kids I was always the kind of person that would say I couldn't stand parents who can't go anywhere without their children! It drove me insane.
DH and I have spent a night or 2 at a local bed and breakfast, with a romantic dinner and much needed alone time.
As my husband tells the kids, this may be your mother but she will always be my girlfriend! Sometimes mom & dad's need to take time to be a couple.
I think my problem was being so far away and not being able to check in every day was really hard. If I ever did go away without them it would have to be close enough that if they needed me I could be there is 2 hours and was a phone call away.