Going away without kids

[Jeafl]

We've done it a few times, and it was wonderful! The first time you leave them you will probably feel a little anxious, but that's totally normal. As long as you have a trusted caregiver, don't feel bad about leaving them.

 

[robsmom]

Another big YES vote from someone who's parents went away without the kids and who has gone without my son.

I have the greatest memories of my grandparents coming to visit and staying with us while my parents would take a vacation. My parents did this about every other year or so. It was sort of a vacation for us as well.

Since her parents let her get away from us for a while (and with 4 of us she needed it!!), my mother now believes that we each need breaks as well. She has a standing agreement that she will babysit for one vacation a year and a few weekend/overnights if we want. We have not taken her up on it each year but did go to Hawaii for 12 days when my son was 1, did vegas for 5 days when he was 3 and have a done a few one night things. He is now 4 and this year we are going away without him in May (maybe to Aruba as well). My son loves grandmom and grandpop. Just a few minutes ago I told him that we were going to grandmom and grandpop's today for dinner. "are the babysitting me" he asked. I said "no, we are staying". He said, but grandmom hasn't babysat me in a long long time, when do I get a turn!!

 

[Kteacher]

We have been going away once a year since our youngest was 3. Our kids are now 17, 13, and 11. We are lucky as both sets of grandparents live close by, and have been more than happy to have their grandchildren stay with them. The first time we went away I was a nervous wreck, but I left a very organized chart with my inlaws with all the info they could possibly need. They kept it on their fridge, and it worked perfectly. I also set up a treasure hunt for the kids with different clues for each day we were gone. The clues led them to little gift bags I had hidden around the house before we left- each child got something (beanie baby, coloring book, legos). My kids loved this, and wanted us to go away again! Now that the kids are older, they usually spend the week that we go away vacationing with their grandparents in Maine. Our next " solo" trip is planned for this July-we're celebrating our 20th anniversary with a cruise to the Caribbean and a few nights on the beaches of Puerto Rico Good luck with whatever you decide!