Going without kids?

[AlwaysEeyore]

We just got back from a family trip to WDW with me, DH, DD 3, DS 5mo, my Sis, Cuz & her BF. We had fun but would of had more fun if it was just the 4 of us. DH & I have 7 day passes left and are trying to decide if we should take a trip without the kids. Just a short one, maybe 3 days in the parks. I can't get over the guilt factor. DD had a great time this trip but she is still too short for a few rides and TOT scared her too much to try it again for awhile. (She insisted she go on it I wasn't going to let her)
Has anyone gone without the kids and had fun?

 

[luvmy2sams]

DH and I went without the kids for NYE2004. We had taken the kids a few months earlier, and we left them with the grandparents, so that took care of the guilt factor for us. We stayed at WL for 5 nights and had a blast! No strollers...no diaper bags...no doing what the kids wanted to do and not being able to do what we wanted when we wanted to...it was wonderful. Of course there were times when we'd see something and say "Remember when DD or DS did....", but I think that'll be a given for the rest of our lives, regardless of the location DH and I are visiting. We have some fantastic memories of that trip, and we're now trying to figure out when we'll be able to get away with doing it again. GO....and have a wonderful time! You won't regret it, I guarantee that.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

For every trip we take with our children, we try to take a short adults-only trip. Sadly, I lost my days off in Jan/Feb due to make-up snow days; so dh and I won't be able to get in a long weekend trip before our Spring Break vacation. Oh, well.

 

[kellyg403]

Hi! I am in the same boat! Dh came home and wants to go on a trip before we take the kids back again. We are going...we need the time. Can't remember the last time we went somewhere alone. Anyway, I came to the conclusion my guilt stems from going to WDW. If we were going anywhere else I wouldn't feel so bad. But, there are so many adult things to do, so many things we didn't get to relish because the kids wanted to move on, so many restuarants we didn't go to because we didn't think the kids would like them etc...we are going for 6 days and I am going to enjoy each one of them. I know I will spend a fortune in "guilt" gifts for the kids but I will love being alone with dh

Kelly

 

[mickerbaby]

We spent 3 days at Disneyland last July (were there for the grand 50th celebration on July 17th) it was incrediable! And because we have been taking the kids once a year we don't have the guilt factor. My kids are too young to make the 6 hour plane ride from MA to CA so that is one really good excuse for us
But besides that my husband is out there for a trade show so I join him at the end for 5 days just so we can have our own Disney vacation! I highly recommend it, Disney is just not the same with kids hehe!!!

 

[GeorgiaAristocat]

We went last year without the kids (they were not quite 3 and just over 1 year at the time.) We had a BLAST - two adults away together. We did romantic dinners at Cali Grill and Le Cell, got to go on any ride we wanted, got to stay up late or go to bed early, got to go swimming and in the hot tub and just lounge about, it was wonderful! (Especially being able to actually sit and enjoy a meal all by ourselves!)

As much as we all love our kids, some adult-only time is essential. Grandma came and stayed with the kids and they had a great time, too! We also used the trip as an opportunity to "scout" for this year's trip with the kids and to test some rides to see if they can handle them.

Take the trip - Disney is just as wonderful for two adults as it is for kids!

 

[Jennabeth]

DH and I did this last year. We took the girls in Jan and went in May to use our leftover days. It was wonderful!! We felt guilty at first but A) the girls were getting spoiled at Grandma's and B) they were just there.

We spent a day at Blizzard Beach (it was a blast) and rode all of the rides we couldn't take the girls on. We had adults only dinners and were able to take the parks at our pace. I would do it again in an instant.

Of course the kids were a little bummed when they found out where we had gone but when we told them we were going to go again in a few years they were fine. My girls were 4 & 2 when we went and will be 7 & 5 when we go again.

 

[rgribik]

Just got back from a thursday-sunday quick trip without the kids... IT WAS WONDERFUL !!! Go for it. This was my 3rd short trip without kids, let me tell you it gets better each time. The first time I was a mess, the second time my dh told me if I didn't get over it he wouldn't take me anymore, this time I let go and had a blast. The kids were with Grandma(they went shopping and out to dinner), we brought small gifts back, ate in the different countries, and just enjoyed the freedom. ( I will tell you that my kids usually get to go every year, so I don't feel as much guilt, because I know they will go in July this year) That being said, go and have fun, remember you are more than a mommy, you are also someones wife.

 

[jtopp]

Go. Do the adult things that you can't do with the children. Have a nice dinner WITHOUT having to referee fights or cut up someone else's food. Have a nice quiet drink and enjoy the moment with your spouse. Walk around the exhibits at a slower pace. And try not to talk about/miss the kids every second. You deserve the time at WDW alone as much as they do, so if you have the opportunity, enjoy.

 

[Trena]

GO!

I told my kids "I have taken you many times before, and I will take you again. This time we want to ride the rides you are too little for, or you are afraid of."

They understood. We brought them fun treats when we returned. They had a great time with out us as well. I think kids enjoy a break from us, as much as we enjoy having a break from them. Parenting is a hard job and it is ok to take a break.

 

[Vickie46]

I think it sounds like a wonderful idea.. I just couldn't do it.. I would miss my princess too much!!! My husband and I think we must have been boring because she is so much fun! She just turned 4!