Going without the kids?

[BelleNJ]

DH and I leave tomorrow for four days without our daughter. I am getting a little upset and have even thought about canceling the trip. She is 16 months old and will be in wonderful hands while we are away...that is not even my concern. I just know I will miss her terribly, but DH and I are celebrating our anniversary and I know we need some alone time together. I am looking forward to actually sitting down for dinner! Have you ever gone without the kids?

 

[riggins]

Hi BelleNJ-
We've never been to WDW without the kids, but I've dreamed about it!! (DH isn't the Disney fan I am and can't imagine going there without the kids). We've been 3 times since we had kids. The first, our DD was 9 months, the 2nd, she was 16 months, and last month, she was 2 and we took the new baby for her 1st trip at 6 months. While I immensely enjoy taking them and spending time together as a family, I would love to be able to do some adult things. I'd like to eat at V&A, ride all the thrill rides, take some of the "behind the scenes" tours, sit by the pool with a good book, take time to slowly enjoy all the things Epcot has to offer, etc.

We haven't been on a "mom and dad" vacation since our 2nd was born; however, we went away for 4 days when DD#1 was 5 months and then another 4 day trip when she was 11 months. We did miss her and I called at least once a day to check on her and say hi. Despite the fact that I missed her, it was REALLY nice to have some alone time with DH. Like you said, "sitiing down for dinner", is something you lose when you have little ones. We enjoyed taking a nap every day, staying out late, nice dinners, quiet time by the pool, etc. Making time for those things is critical to the health of your marriage and the health of your marriage is key to your DDs happiness. So, stop stressing, and go have fun!!

 

[dianemb]

IF YOUR GOING TO GO WITHOUT THE CHILD I WOULD SAY NOW IS THE TIME. IF YOU GO WITHOUT HER WHEN SHE'S OLDER SHE'LL BE UPSET THAT YOUR NOT TAKING HER TOO! I KNOW I WENT AWAY ON A BUSINESS TRIP WHEN MY SON WAS 3 AND MISSED HIM BUT I WENT ALONE WHICH MADE IT WORSE. JUST TAKE PLENTY OF PICTURES WITH YOU AND PUT THEM ON THE NITESTAND, BATHROOM WINDOW AND MAYBE ON A KEYCHAIN. THAT WAY YOU CAN LOOK AT HER ANY TIME. I EVEN SAW A KEYCHAIN SOMEWHERE THAT LET'S YOU TAPE A SHORT MESSAGE ON IT. YOU COULD TAPE HER VOICE. ENJOY YOURSELVES.

 

[PattiPB]

We have traveled to WDW almost yearly since all three of our kids (now 9, 7 & 5) were in the womb. In June 2001 we spent a month in Florida, and spent 13 days at WDW. We purchased AP's, because they were the most cost effective for our schedule.

In spring, 2002, DH and I decided to take a few days for ourselves while my parents were visiting us. With my budget of $1000 I scoured the country for ideas on where to go. Believe it or not, WDW was among the cheapest if we were going to fly ($200 each)! Our passes were paid for, and we Pricelined the hotel. So, we left the kids and went to WDW ALONE for five days! At the time, my kids were 7, 5 & 3, and they didn't mind at all!!!!! We explained to them we were going to WDW alone to spend time together. They kept saying how lucky we were, and several times mentioned they wished they could come with us, but we didn't face one meltdown before, during or after the trip.

A happy family begins with a happy marriage! Enjoy yourselves, and take the kids next time---that's what we did!

Patti

 

[crazywig]

we are leaving on the 14th for five nights without our 18 month old son i am thrilled! LOL.


this is an anniversary trip for us as well.

we generally take 2 vacations a year, one week long with the 3 of us, and one shorter one for just the two of us. now that we own dvc guess where we'll be going?


actually now that i think of it, this is our 2nd trip this year without him we went to cedar point for 4 days in june.