Does Anyone Feel BAD Going Without Their Kids?

[DisDarling]

We are thinking of taking a 4 day weekend to WDW in late Sept without the kids for a late Anniv/Bday present for hubby- does anyone ever feel bad NOT taking the kids? Do I tell them or tell them when we get home?
Thanks!

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

FWIW, my parents took a cruise in '95 that came with a one day admission to either Disney or Universal. They felt guilty going without us, so they decided to visit Universal. 11 years later they still talk about how disappointed they were in Universal and how they should have spent their day at Disney. I think if you take your kids to Disney on a regular basis(say once a year) than go and enjoy yourselves. But if your kids don't get to go very often, than it a parents only trip could have problems.

 

[islandbeachnut]

No!

We take our kids on a 10 day trip each year and we make sure it's ALL about them and whatever they want to do . So when my DH & I can get away for a 3-night stay - we are lovin' every minute of it!!

 

[PigletsPal]

For the 2nd time in 25 years my DH and I went away with out our kids for our 25th anniversary this past Feb. Went to St. Aug and WDW. It was one of the best trips ever. I missed the kids don't get me wrong, but it was so nice just having to worry about ourselves and eat when you want where you want.
Since we only live 3 hours south of the mouse and have the Fl rest. tx. I did go back in April and had a Mother and Son trip only.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Even though we go almost every year as a family, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't feel a *little* bad when we *do* go without ds. There have even been a couple times when we'd planned a "just us" trip and taken him at the last minute (one specific one was our trip 2 days after 9/11 -- I just wanted our whole family to be together, y'know?).

But the two trips we've taken alone were wonderful, completely different than when he's with us. And we have another 5-night trip planned for our 15th anniversary this October. We're really looking forward to it, and ds knows he's going to get to go again on the next trip, so it's all good.

 

[Kanikazi]

The year was 1987...DS was 6 years old and DD was 18 months. DH and I had been married 7 years. My new part-time job gave us a little extra spending money which I was saving so we could FLY (not drive for 2 days straight) from our home in Oregon to Disneyland for a week-end getaway...just the two of us. We both worked hard and deserved a little vacation away from the "cares" of our everyday lives.

When my mom learned of my "evil scheme", she immediately started in with the "you're going to Disneyland and you're not taking your kids with you?" routine. My response was, "heck yes!" She finally ended up suggesting that she and my dad go with us, WITH the kids, driving down, so the kids would not miss out. I gave in, and we actually had a pretty good time. A bonus was that with grandma and grandpa there, DD wouldn't have a thing to do with me and only wanted them to hold her (hee hee). Worth the sacrifice right there!

I love my kids to pieces, but I am not one to feel guilty for pampering myself a little once in awhile. They got plenty of love, attention and spoiling, believe me!

Fast Forward to today...the kids are grown (DS25 and DD20). For our 26th anniversary this year DH and I are flying first class from Alaska to WDW for a week. This is our first time to WDW (have been to Disneyland many times). I think this more than makes up for the adult vacation we didn't get to have all those years ago. We would have gone last year for our 25th but DS ended up getting married and we spent all of our vacation money on wedding plans and expenses! Darn kids! j/k

 

[eeyoregon]

On my first trip to WDW I went without my sons, then 2 and 5. I was newly divorced and my best friend invited me to go.

I really needed some "me" time after nursing my youngest son back from brain surgery, being left by my husband and having to go from being a stay at home Mom to working full-time. In my mind, I didn't feel guilty at all, but my credit card statement for souvenir purchases for the boys would say otherwise

Two years later I was able to take my DS who was 7 and we had a most magical time. The following year, I was able to take both sons and we have now been a total of 4 times as a family and took our 1st Disney Cruise in April.

I say go and have a fabulous time!!! Adult couple time is important for a healthy marriage, which is a gift to your children.

 

[cheryl111]

Hi, we are thinking of going in July without the kids. We took them for 2 weeks Orlando and one week in the Bahamas in March, we are in the UK so it was a really big trip for them. We do have guilt pangs but they will be holidaying in England with their grandparents when we are away, they think we are going to Spain LOL. Just 2 days ago me and dh went to Alton Towers (a theme park in UK) for the day when the kids where in school and my mums husband joked "what kind of parents are you?" and dh mum was teasing "we're going to tell the kids where you've been". We had so much fun when we went with the family in March, but me and dh keep saying "can you imagine what it would be like on our own" LOL, just get ourselves up, eat and go, go to bed whenever, less toilet stops - bliss. Sorry to go on and on......I dont know who I am trying to convince most you or me LOL xxx

 

[KJET54]

This September will be our second trip without kids to Disney. Last year our DD was a little preturbed about not going but we felt we deserved a week to ourselves (it was the first time we left her longer than overnight and she was 10). We went with 18 other people all without kids. We all had a blast. I have been to Disney at least twice a year with my daughter since she was 2 and the adult trip was the best trip ever. This year we are doing the "adults only" Disney from 9/24-9/29. We have 15 adults going so far and others still thinking about it. One of the fathers we went with did not tell his children he was at Disney and it created a very serious problem with his kids. I would tell your kid(s) the truth and tell them you will plan a vacation with them again soon. But do not feel guilty at all about leaving them. Enjoy yourselves and get the alone time you deserve.

 

[NHmomof2boys]

DH and I make every effort to go away for at least a long weekend for our anniversary every October without the kids. Last year he surprised me with a Disney cruise and this year we are staying at Saratoga Springs for 3 nights. Although I will miss the boys while we are gone, I always do, I know that we get a lot out of our time together as a couple.

We have already told them that dad and I are going to The World without them for a few days, and they aren't thrilled with the idea, but they know that we just took them in April and plan on taking them again next year, so they are all right with it. My suggestion is to tell the kids before you go. You don't want them learning at such a young age that they should sneak around.

Have fun and here is some pixie dust coming your way

 

[hopelea]

I took my two dd's to DW in March for a cheerleading competition. We had to leave my dh at home because of work. The whole time there I kept saying, "it would be really great to come back here with your daddy ALONE!" Well, I got home and told him. We booked a trip the week before Thanksgiving. My in-laws are going, they have NEVER been. They really didn't want to take kids with them. I didn't tell my girls until last night. I was afraid of what they would say. Their reaction surprised me........YEA, A WHOLE WEEK AT GRANDMA & GRANDPA'S. A WEEK OF DAIRY QUEEN AND COMPUTERS!! I'm going to miss them terribly, but I know I will enjoy my alone time with my dh, it is our 15th anniversary. We went to DW on our honeymoon

 

[smep013]

We do not have kids yet - and so we enjoy going just the two of us now. I would think that once we have kids - we'll be so excited to share the Disney magic with them - that we would not even think abouot going without them. We'll see!

 

[wiggles02]

We went in 2004 as a couple with another couple and left our young children home with grandma and grandpa. For our 10th anniversary in 2005, we again left the kids and celebrated our anniversary alone. Just this past May we took the kids and had a great time. It was all about them and what they wanted to do, and we did things we wouldn't do just the two of us. Grandma and Grandpa offered again (we are lucky) and we are going to celebrate our 11th anniversary in the world and do all the things we didn't get to do with the kids (coasters, Epcot, long dinners). We know we are taking them back next May, so I don't feel too bad. But it doesn't mean that I won't feel a little guilty. But I figure if we want to stay married for another 11 years, we should do this.

 

[MissMichelle]

I am EXTREMELY guilty...but the kids are trying to make me feel better....DH suggested a cruise for my BDAY (we've never gone anywhere alone, not even honeymoon) so when he said we'd go somewhere I said "I want Disney"...He thought I was nuts. I have been with my son 4 times in his 5 years of life and I want to experience in a way that I can't with him. So It is my turn to do Disney the *FUN* way *I love his face on the babyish rides but I am bored to tears* so dining, RnR, TOT, EE , spas, Comedy Warehouse, shopping, resort hopping, and RELAXING are all sounding REALLLLLY good right now

GO, have a great time, and just like me feel guilty but know you'll come right back home to them and they'll be fine.

 

[KJSJpipe]

Not even a little bit guilty! But then again when DH and I went to WDW alone 2years ago DD & DS where on a cruise with the Mouse and my parents for the week.
But I must also say that I am not feeling guilty about my up coming Girls only long weekend with out DH, DD or DS either.

 

[tinkerbellang]

This is my first post! Have been lurking - love the DIS Boards!

My hubby and I went to Disney last year by ourselves. I felt a little guilty, but not guilty enough! The kids were a little disappointed when they heard, but DH and I needed the time away and the kids were already in school. We went for DH's birthday.

Don't feel guilty - I think it is awesome. It was so much more laid back sans kiddos. We got a really good deal through Hotwire too (191.00 per person hotel 4 nights off site and airfare) since I booked within a month - spur of the moment thing!

TinkerbellAng

 

[nkjzmom]

Feel bad? No. Miss them? Of course.

WDW is completely different without children. DH and I celebrated our 11th anniversary there last Sept. We had spent our 10th anniversary there also, but WITH our children and my brothers and mom. We did everything we haven't been able to do with the kids, like riding rides SITTING TOGETHER!!! We ate at restaurants that we haven't eaten at and at buffets we could fill our plates at the SAME TIME!!!

On our day at the Magic Kingdom it began pouring and we just kept going. We were soaked even with our ponchos but it was so much fun. I felt like we were newlyweds all over again. And the afternoon "nap" gained a whole new meaning.

 

[boomhauer]

I go without my wife and step-son once a year for about a week. I love going solo. It's gotten tougher and tougher though as I miss the heck out of my family.

 

[hopelea]

I am going to ressies at coral reef, which we wouldn't eat at with the kids.

I love what you said, NKJZMOM, about filling your plates at the same time!!!
I am from N. AL also!!!! Too hot here today!!

Can't wait for my trip. We told our dd's that we were going and they were fine with it. They said, "you need time together, it is your anniversary!" I have such good dd's! Also, they were excited about staying with grandma & grandpa for a week. Oldest dd said, "Yea, a week of dairy queen!!!!"

 

[Minnie1156]

this is going to be my first trip without DS and DD. I feel guilty and my DD (19) is a little upset but she just came back from London and my DS (24) and his fiancee are in disney now so I just feel a little guilty. I am looking forward to the time we my DH. We are renewing our vows. It is a surprise for him.