Are We Bad Parents For Going

[BroganMc]

Why am I reminded of that old Disney commercial from years back...

Dad's packing the car while older Mom is on the phone talking to their son. She says, "I know you'd like to go with us sweetie, but you can't this time. ... Why? Well, for one thing I don't think your wife and kids would appreciate it."

Camera flips to the grown son, in his office, tears streaming down his face as he longingly gazes at a picture of him, with folks and Mickey Mouse.​

My brother and SIL left their 4 kids with friends and relatives while they went on a week-long cruise to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Kids hardly missed them they were having such a blast. In fact, I think my SIL suffered more with separation anxiety. (TIP: When you call home, you'll probably get some theatrics from the kids making you feel guilty. As soon as you hang up and just before you called, they are happily involved in their lives. Kids tend to have short memories except when it comes to remembering how to guilt their parents. That they pick up at the drop of a hat.)

 

[Nancyg56]

Why am I reminded of that old Disney commercial from years back...

Dad's packing the car while older Mom is on the phone talking to their son. She says, "I know you'd like to go with us sweetie, but you can't this time. ... Why? Well, for one thing I don't think your wife and kids would appreciate it."

Camera flips to the grown son, in his office, tears streaming down his face as he longingly gazes at a picture of him, with folks and Mickey Mouse.​

My brother and SIL left their 4 kids with friends and relatives while they went on a week-long cruise to celebrate their 10th anniversary. Kids hardly missed them they were having such a blast. In fact, I think my SIL suffered more with separation anxiety. (TIP: When you call home, you'll probably get some theatrics from the kids making you feel guilty. As soon as you hang up and just before you called, they are happily involved in their lives. Kids tend to have short memories except when it comes to remembering how to guilt their parents. That they pick up at the drop of a hat.)

 

[Toni300z]

NO WAY! You are not BAD at all! I have been 3 times this year without my 3 children. I went with frineds and a business associate! Missed them much. But had so much fun and saved a ton of money!

HAVE A WONDERFUL 20th ANNIVERSARY! HAVE FUN!

 

[allaboutmm]

I have already told my DH, in 3yrs( our 15 yr anniversay) we are doing an adult only trip to WDW. We only stay at the value hotels, he thinks it silly to spend lots of $ when all you do is sleep there . But no way, moderate, or even a monorail hotel is where we will be staying!!! Go and have fun!!

 

[txgirl]

Rule # 1, don't ever ask if you are a bad parent on the DIS. Surely someone will say you are!

Have a lovely anniversary trip!

sad but true

 

[henrylovespooh]

I am trying to plan a trip for just DH and I in the next couple years, and our kids are 2 and 4 and LOVE Disney. You're not a bad parent at all, you just want to have a nice WDW trip. Go for it.

 

[alicenwonder99]

You have to do what you think is right for your family. A trip to WDW without the kids? Hmmmm...it sounds like fun to me! But, will you have a good time? Or, will you be sulking the whole time wishing you brought the kids.

I have an idea for you. Go ahead a plan the WDW anniversary trip with NO kids. And if the guilt starts hitting you hard when it gets closer to the date of your trip (or the kids are starting to beg to go with), then plan another trip WITH the kids for like 3 months later. This way, if you have a trip with the kids planned for just a few months later, then you won't be feeling bad when you are at WDW with just your dh. KWIM? I think if you have a trip planned for the kids, then you could relax and really enjoy yourself with just dh. Also, maybe the kids won't want to go to WDW. Maybe you can ask the kids to pick where they would like to go for a family vacation.

We've been going to WDW once a year, so I think an adults only trip will be planned for us in the next couple of years.

Mary

 

[3princesses4us]

To celebrate such a wonderful occassion, I think it's okay to leave children at any age. I should know, we just celebrated our 10th anniversary there 2 weeks ago and left behind a 7, 4 and 1 year old. They had 4 nights/5 days of being spoiled by grandparents and we got to have a different & romantic kind of trip. We rode all the scary roller coasters, ate steak every night, etc. Of course we are planning a trip back next year with them including all the character meals, shows, etc. Did I feel bad at first? Yes, but considering I'm 33 and I had never been to WDW I decided it was mom's turn to be a kid for a few days first! :0) Go and have a ball.


September '05 POR
fall '06 I'm thinking WL!

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Go and have a wonderful time! You deserve some "grown up" time. My dh and I have done a couple of parent's only trips and had a wonderful time.

 

[Hodkys]

Our first trip to WDW was for 3 weeks in 2000 - just the 2 of us. It was brilliant. It was before "marrige and kids".

We have been back twice in 2003 with our DS (2 years old at the time). We had to go on the rides on our own using the baby swap facility. My DH and I missed sharing the ride experience together. So our future trips will mean taking the kids (tincluding my 2 step children too but this means going during our school summer hols - an expensive time when flying from Britain - circa $8,000 for us all). Unfortunately, DH and I we can't really nip across to WDW for a long weekend and it would be unfair to leave the kids with grandparents for anything longer!

So, I would say take advantage of your locality, go on your 'parents only' trip and enjoy being together.

 

[mijadecat]

My DH and I went to Barcelona for three days for my 40th, we left our dd of 5 and our DS of 15 at their Nan and Grandad's for the first time. After fretting for months and nearly cancelling three times we had a fantastic time. We have many happy memories and it left us feeling rejuvinated, like a couple of kids.

The kids hardly missed us and were spoiled rotten.

 

[jtopp]

Are you a bad parent to want to strenghten your relationship? Are you a bad parent for wanting to try some of the more 'adult' areas of WDW without subjecting your children to places that are not exactly suitable for thier age?
Enjoy your anniversary trip. You will find it is a great place for adults to enjoy themselves, and the memories are well worth the investment of time away.

 

[kennasmommy]

Joan Crawford is that you?

GO!!!! Kiss the kids goodbye and enjoy yourselves. Twenty years is something to celebrate! Have some drinks and relax.