Going without the kids

[Marseeya]

How many of you have done this? How guilty did you feel???

Hubby just told me that his company is doing some kind of conference in WDW next year for a week and he'll be able to take a guest. OMG, I nearly peed my pants, I was so excited

We are taking the kids this June, but I imagine my youngest is going to be so upset next year. How do you handle that?

 

[gary4jenn]

Hi- I've done it twice! It was nice to walk leisurely around the parks, sleep in, relax and drink a little. You just do it on a grown up schedule when you go w/o kids.

I did it pregnant w/ #2 and once when #3 was conceived.

It's still fun and yes- I felt guilty. BUT- I need to have time for me and my hubby and afterall- WDW is my favorite place to vacation which is why my kids love it.

I would just explain that the kids won't be able to go since it's a work trip but you will bring home thier choice of souvenier and be sure to plan some special events for them while they are gone

 

[Marseeya]

Thanks! I like the idea of letting them choose the souvenir.

From your description, it sounds like this would be a nice relaxing trip. He'd be in meetings all day while I do my own thing and at night we can go out! Do I really have to wait a year to do that?

 

[Stephres]

Prepare to feel a little guilty when you see little ones laughing with the parents around the park. Fortunately, it fades when you see one in full tantrum mode!

We live close by, so DH and I hop over by ourselves when the grandparents are in town. I would suggest trying out all the neat restuarants at Epcot that you wouldn't dare attempt with the kids. Have a great time!

 

[christinadei]

We are having a family gathering in just a week! But I digress, I'm taking DS very soon and then in July, DH and I plan on going down alone to celebrate our anniversary. We've really only done parks one day a trip, and we have just taken DS to the MK. So we plan on doing a full day of Epcot alone. I will feel guilty, but I am one of those parents who feel that to be better parents, DH and I have to have a good relationship and that time alone is great for that. Not that I pawn my son off or never take him anywhere, he's definately taken care of and he always comes first. But we need time too. So I'll miss him adn wish he was there, but I won't feel too bad about it. I also like the idea of letting him pick out what he wants us to bring him back. I think I'll do that!

 

[cristbaby]

I only felt guilty for about 5 minutes. Once you see those parents trying to cope with overtired and exhauted unncooperative kids, you'll just smile inside and enjoy yourself!

 

[minkydog]

We did it last January and didn't feel the first bit guilty. I'm a believer in parents taking vacations by themselves periodically. Every vacation does not have to revolve around the children. If you were going to St. Louis i doubt you would "feel guilty" about leaving the kids. Disney is no different. There are so many things that adults can enjoy--it's a whole different experience without the kids!

Cathy--taking the kids at Thanksgiving for our "family vacation"

 

[tjmw2727]

We just did WDW sans kids in February as DH had a conference and the kids were in school.

Of cousre we missed the kids but we had a great trip. I had no problem visiting the parks alone when DH was in meetings. Since we did a family WDW vacation over Christmas break I didn't feel guilty and my kids totally understood. My 8yo instructed me to do all "my boring stuff" so she won't have to next time LOL.

I did try not to talk about the trip excessivly before hand and I focused on what they were doing during phone calls from Florida.

TJ

 

[BettyCv]

Marseeya,

You don't say how old your kids are. If it's going to upset your youngest to know you went to WDW, why not just tell the kids you are going to a convention in Florida, and leave it at that?

Betty

 

[Catrin]

We went Columbus Day weekend 2003 without our kids, and had a really great time.
We were able to do Adult things.... even simple things like DH watched a BallGame at the Pool Bar, while I shopped at DTD.

The best thing about the weekend? NO WAITING IN LINE FOR AUTOGRAPHS!

I am making this up by taking my oldest in June.. for a "mom and me" trip... and then my 6 yr old by himself in two years.
HAVE FUN!
Catrin

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

I feel guilty on the plane...then I land and get over it quickly when I start to have some actual quality time with DH!

 

[luvmy2sams]

DH and I did this last year over New Years. We'd just taken the kids in October, and they were spending time with my parents while we took this adults only trip. They weren't going to miss a thing and were probably more spoiled by the grandparents than they'd ever be at Disney. We missed the kids, of course, but we didn't feel an ounce of guilt. It was wonderful to zip through the holiday crowds and bypass the bag check. Oh, the joy of not having a diaper bag and stroller to deal with. DD had requested a souvenir that she didn't pick up during our family trip, and we bought something home for DS. I don't think they really even missed us.

 

[Marseeya]

The kids are 9 and 14. The 14 year old couldn't care less, but the 9 year old is a Disney princess freak!

Also, I just found out he's been invited to two conferences! One at the end of November, and one at the beginning of May next year. How did we get so lucky? We'd just have to come up with airfare for me & park tickets. Meals and room would be paid for.

 

[Steamboat Girlie]

I didn't feel guilty for leaving my son, but I really did miss him. One morning during breakfast I was looking at some other families and I just started crying! But the moment passed and I was able to spend some much needed alone time with my husband. I would do it again if given the chance.

 

[patrenoe]

No need to feel guilty. Just go and have a great time. We always took time for us without our son. When I was growing up we went on family vacations and they went on private vacations. All of us need to get away to just enjoy their spouses without the day to day work of taking care of others. Have a wonderful trip.

 

[cheyennemama]

DH and I went when our DD was 10 mos. We left her home with my mom. We had a fabulous time, as did they. No regrets! Mind you, she had no clue! Now we're going with our 2 kids- 3.5 and 20 mos.

 

[welovewdw]

My husband and I got the chance to go w/o the kids in January - I did feel twinges of guilt when I saw other families and I missed them when I saw something I knew they'd love, but we still had a blast by ourselves! We did adult things - like we toured Epcot doing "Beers around the world" - something we would never do w/ the kids! (ok, we're old, we shared beers in some countries. LOL) We also ate at some great restaurants that our kids wouldn't like - it was definitely fun! We felt like the old couple in that Disney commercial. LOL.

We're going to another industry event at the Convention Center and we're staying in the park w/o the kids in a couple of weeks - I can't wait!

 

[Marseeya]

My husband and I got the chance to go w/o the kids in January - I did feel twinges of guilt when I saw other families and I missed them when I saw something I knew they'd love, but we still had a blast by ourselves! We did adult things - like we toured Epcot doing "Beers around the world" - something we would never do w/ the kids! (ok, we're old, we shared beers in some countries. LOL) We also ate at some great restaurants that our kids wouldn't like - it was definitely fun! We felt like the old couple in that Disney commercial. LOL.

We're going to another industry event at the Convention Center and we're staying in the park w/o the kids in a couple of weeks - I can't wait!

I've never heard of Beers around the world, but that sounds like fun! Regarding the restaurants, I feel pretty lucky that we're able to try all kinds of different foods and the kids are pretty open to it. They're not fond of Indian or Greek, but they do like most everything else.

Anyway, I'm getting pretty excited just thinking about it! He's being offered two trips now -- one at the end of November, just after Thanksgiving, and one next May. I wonder if I can save enough money to do both??? And find some poor sap, er I mean kind soul who will take the kids twice in one year like that?

 

[inluvwithfla]

For my job, I go away for a week every year for a conference (this year it was New Orleans). In two years, it will be Orlando. I plan on taking the kids and husband and making it a family vacation. The work part of the trip ends on a Thursday, so I plan on extending my time in Orlando for a vacation. In the end, the trip winds up costing less because the hotel room is paid for the first half of the "vacation" as well as my part of the airfare since it is for work.

Ever think of that? Or would you rather have a "childless" vacation? Nothing wrong with that either!!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Dh and I went for our anniversary this past fall and had an absolutely wonderful time without the kids. Not by choice, it had been years since we'd gone anywhere without the children for more than a single night. While we frequently commented on how odd it felt to be alone together and on things we'd enjoy doing at the parks in the future with the kids, we both very much enjoyed our trip. We plan on taking more trips like this in the near future. Since we have PAPs, we probably will continue to have at least one long weekend alone at WDW each year. If you have the opportunity to do this, I say "Go for it!"