Feeling guilty

[luvthemouse71]

I say go..they're little right now anyway. And it's important for the two of you to have some alone time. I wouldn't feel guilty in the slightest. The problem today is that so many parents are "helicopter" parents-that is, they hover too much. There will be other trips with the kids, I'm sure.

 

[disneymomma1978]

GO!! and have a great time!
your kids will have a great time with their grandmother and you said you're taking a family trip to DW in Sept so you and your DH should go, guilt-free, and enjoy it!!

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

This past September, my dh and I got a chance to go to Disney by ourselves. And it actually came about because of our kids. My dh's bday and our anniversary are a week apart (in Sept) and our 3 oldest (teen boys) wanted to do something for us. Knowing that I had a valid AP from our last family trip and that dh would be free on his bday, they actually went in together and bought our plane tickets. They discussed it with dh's parents who offered to come and watch them all while we were gone and also picked up our hotel tab as their gift. It was a quick trip, 3 days/2 nights, but it was very special coming from our family. We did feel a bit guilty even though we have taken 6 family trips in the past 8 years. But more than that, we just felt nostalgic at times. We would have those moments when we'd have a memory of one kid doing this, or another of all of us doing that, etc. Having all of our memories of Disney being as a family for all our trips and then it suddenly being just the two of us felt weird. Guess it just kind of opened our eyes to what our life will eventually be like when they all leave the nest.

 

[bwilcox]

I would go. Parents need alone time, it's only going to strengthen your marriage. Have fun and don't feel guilty, your taking them in September!

Kids need to know that your marriage is important, too. Someday they will grow up and base their marriages on what they have learned from you!

 

[NikitaZee]

This past September, my dh and I got a chance to go to Disney by ourselves. And it actually came about because of our kids. My dh's bday and our anniversary are a week apart (in Sept) and our 3 oldest (teen boys) wanted to do something for us. Knowing that I had a valid AP from our last family trip and that dh would be free on his bday, they actually went in together and bought our plane tickets. They discussed it with dh's parents who offered to come and watch them all while we were gone and also picked up our hotel tab as their gift. It was a quick trip, 3 days/2 nights, but it was very special coming from our family. We did feel a bit guilty even though we have taken 6 family trips in the past 8 years. But more than that, we just felt nostalgic at times. We would have those moments when we'd have a memory of one kid doing this, or another of all of us doing that, etc. Having all of our memories of Disney being as a family for all our trips and then it suddenly being just the two of us felt weird. Guess it just kind of opened our eyes to what our life will eventually be like when they all leave the nest.

This would be me. I love the idea of staying at an Epcot resort with my husband, taking our time through the WS pavilions and having romantic meals together, but I know myself too well. I'd miss my kids too much while there - so would my husband. Maybe because they're still young, and it's our favorite place to go together. If you can go and have a great time OP, then do it!

 

[elgerber]

This would be me. I love the idea of staying at an Epcot resort with my husband, taking our time through the WS pavilions and having romantic meals together, but I know myself too well. I'd miss my kids too much while there - so would my husband. Maybe because they're still young, and it's our favorite place to go together. If you can go and have a great time OP, then do it!

We did worry about that, and as it turns out we were able to enjoy ourselves. We had a trip planned with the kids a few months later, so that helped. And my kids were having a blast on their own trip with their grandparents.

 

[vettechick99]

Never would feel guilty. I would miss her, but I would have a great time. You will too!

 

[bkoehl]

We celebrated our 10th anniversary last fall at F&WF with another couple and had a blast. Just 3 days, perfect amount of time. We were able to do so much, and different things too! We too had the moments when we thought, "oh the kids would love this" (or had loved this) but overall was a good get-a-way and one I hope to repeat at sometime in the future!

Go, enjoy and don't feel guilty!!! And as for thinking that WDW is only a family trip, think of it in reverse; if the grandparents wanted to take the kids to WDW and you couldn't go b/c of work, etc would you stop THEM from going?! Of course not! Family vacations are wonderful but not EVERY vacation has to be a family one!

 

[PJAY]

I'm in the same boat as OP. Somehow, DW convinced me that going without the kids would be a good idea and now, we've booked a trip for May! My guilt wouldn't allow me to go without the kids so we've also booked a trip for October. Those home renos will wait another year I guess...

DW arranged and planned everything. She was very thorough with her plan of attack first making sure her folks would be okay watching them and then getting prices. Once she presented the whole package with flight--how could I say no?
We started planning to go in October too using air miles to buy the kids' tickets and upgrading to an AP when we go in May so those will be taken care of as well.

I must admit, the idea of REALLY seeing WS intrigues me and being able to ride WHATEVER we want makes me smile too.

Now i can't wait!

 

[MeLaNie9]

Go and have a great time!
DH and I have taken 2 trips without our kids - both tacked on to trips I had to take for work. The first was to Oahu and the most recent was our trip to San Francisco then drive down the California coast to DLR. Both were fantastic!!! We did not tell our kids that we were going to DLR and just showed them the pictures when we got back and despite their love for WDW, they couldn't have cared less. They just asked if someday they might go to DLR. For both of these trips (about 8 days each), they split time between my MIL and SIL and my parents. They absolutely loved this - in fact, we got back late at night from the DLR trip - they had already been put to bed by MIL and SIL and when they woke up the next day to find us there instead of their grandma and aunt, they were less than thrilled

 

[flicx]

I'm gonna be in the minority here, I too could have never went without my wife and son to disney.The whole family is what has always made it special for us.Even more so recently,my wife and i went for the first time in years alone(son is in college).Liked the trip but we fondly look back on our trips with him.They grow up sooo fast. Hoping to get lots more trips in with him once college is done!

 

[smidgy]

don't forget, everyone, these kids are only 2 and 4. they won't feel left out. and you were going away anyway. what dif. does it make, where you go?
grandparents LOVE time with their grandkids without mom and dad..
go and have fun. it won't be long till you can't do this again, for a l o n g time!

 

[Kristinluvsdisney]

Thank you everyone for all your replies. Im feeling better about going now. Just paid the trip in full earlier this evening. Ill probably end up buying tons of toys to bring home to the kids anyway and im sure they will see a ton more in September when we are all down there. Also your right about them spending quality time with grandma, she adores them and they just love her. I guess i wasnt looking at it from that point either. Thanks again for everyones opinion.

Kristin

 

[WizardLarz]

Go! How many times will this chance happen again? Maybe never! The next time you and DH get a chance at a couples retreat in WDW might be in 16 years when your youngest goes off to college!

Plus you say your going later this year! There should be no guilty feelings!

 

[2princes'mom]

Congratulations on booking the trip! You made a good chocie IMO. DH and I can't wait to be able to take a trip just the two of us. Doesn't mean we won't feel a bit guilty or miss the kids like crazy, but it does mean we will get wonderful, irreplaceable time together at the Happiest Place on Earth!!

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I definitely could not do this, but that is just me. It would not be an enjoyable trip for me. My DD's are 10 and 8 and they love Disney as much as I do. There is no way that I could step foot on Disney property without my girls. It wouldn't be the same. Disney is family time for us.

I am happy that those who have done solo trips have been able to enjoy it.

 

[disney minnie]

My husband and I are going for my 40th birthday without my children and I can't wait!!! It is such a different trip with just adults. You can have fabulous meals, go to the parks when you want, and relax!

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

I am another in the minority, I could not go without my kids, the entire time I would be saying how much they would like this or that. I could probably go somewhere else but I fight for more time and vacation time with my family so I would feel guilty and wouldnt enjoy it as much as I would with my kids who are dd4 and dd 7 mos.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

No. I know plenty of people on this board who do, and I am not disparaging them. But I just wouldn't do it. Not until they are in college, at least.

But then, we are currently planning on a Disney cruise without our kids...

 

[savannahcat]

I posted the exact same question on the family board just a couple of months ago! We are going without the kids at the end of June - I can't wait!!
The kids know we are going and they don't seem to mind at all. But, they've been there a lot (DD6 12 times, and DD3 7 times), plus we are going as a family in January as well as next summer.
I know I'll miss them, but I'm really looking forward to WDW with just my DH - something we haven't done since 1996!