Guilty or NOT Guilty ????

[polkadotminnie]

Our 10th was this summer and we left our 3 DD's (8,5,and 2) with Grandparents while we went to San Diego for the week. Enjoy it!!!

 

[*Fantasia*]

I can't imagine myself going to WDW without my kids! We've been to WDW without kids before on our honeymoon, BUT we didn't have kids at that time yet.

NOW...IF... I was to go to Hawaii or other Islands or other places ...YES...I can leave the kids behind and I will NOT feel guilty.

I went to Cali 2 yrs ago for 2 weeks. I passed Disneyland a couple of times. Didn't even go there, the kids weren't with me. It just woouldn't be the same without them.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

GUILTY - But only because it's Disney. If it were a trip for just DH and myself I would go to one of the islands and then I wouldn't feel guilty. BUt at Disney both DH and I would feel way too guilty to enjoy ourselves without the kids (even though it's hectic with them).

 

[CindyKansas]

NOT GUILTY!

DH and myself spent 5 days at the Yacht Club last summer without DD. We had a great time. But then again she was at Jack Hannah's Zoo camp at Busch Garden's in Tampa at the time.

 

[zurgswife]

NOT GUILTY!!!

We spent our tenth there also...and our 4 kids were even younger....

 

[JoiseyMom]

NOT GUILTY. My dh just took me away to WDW 3 weeks ago without the kids. We didn't tell them where we were going (my little ones are 8 and 3). We did tell them when we got back, but then told them that we are going as a family in November. Go, enjoy. We did!!!

I am hoping to do it again for a longer period if possible Oct. 2005 for our 10th. And yes, it will be without the kids. I love Disney as much as my kids do, maybe more so. I have to say, it was fun without them. If you feel guilty while you are there, buy them something!!

 

[teo403]

Absolutely NOT GUILTY!

My dh and I are planning a long weekend at the BCV in the spring without the kids (3,6,9). They too have been to disney a few times already and we are going as a family this fall.

We do absolutely everything for our children and a little alone time is not something to feel guilty about, particulary since they will be staying with their grandparents.

Go and enjoy yourselves.

 

[sherry8253]

I am 51 and my son is 29. I hate to say it but Guilty. Time goes by too fast. My son was grown before I knew it. I would not have gone to Disney without him. But, back then we didn't make as much money as we do now and trips to Disney were about every 5 or 6 years not yearly. So, I would never have thought about going to Disney and not taking him. It sounds like your kids go often so that makes it a little different. But, I just could not have done it knowing how much my son loved going to see the mouse. I would have felt guilty the entire time.

 

[marksor]

Guilty! I have three boys and we've taken them to WDW now three times. I toyed with the idea of a getaway to WDW for my wife and me alone and I couldn't bring myself to do it. If you are asking yourself now about this imagine how you are going to feel once you are there without them. You'll be experiencing something at one of the parks and think, "I wish my daughter/son were here to see this". You might drive yourself nuts that week and not properly enjoy yourself at all. If you and your spouse want to get away alone try somewhere "adult" like maybe Las vegas. If that doesn't suit you (it doesn't suit me) then a beach getaway or a cruise that is also geared more towardd adults. We've done that once for a few days and we felt no guilt.

 

[TwingleMum]

NOT GUILTY !!!!!!!!! As a Mom to 3 boys under 4 yrs old I say go for it. You have to value and respect your marriage and each other. As much as we all love our children. Our relationships can suffer. If we're not with the kids we're talking about the kids. At night we're too exhausted to really talk and reconnect with each other. This is a perfect opportunity to reaffirm your love for each other and go home strenghtened with new (fresh not sleep deprived) appreciation of how blessed you are to have each other and your kids. Your kids will benefit by learning marriage is a sacred and important committment and worthy of nurturing. I also suspect they'll benefit in the hugs, kisses and we've missed you, you're the greatest kids in the world department. Recharge your marriage batteries and be careful you just might bring home a special souvenir ( ready in about 9 months (blush) Have a wonderful trip, I'm jealous.

 

[windsor]

Not Guilty!!

One of the most important things you can ever do for your children is to love your spouse. What they see are two devoted parents in a healthy relationship. This is the memory they will cherish through the years, not resentment over missing out on a few days fun.

Go enjoy yourselves and have a wonderful time!!

 

[tifandjim]

NOT GUILTY!! We have no children, but we have several friends who have children, and both of our siblings have children, and I know that every parent needs a break sometimes. I think it is awesome to enjoy WDW without having to worry about an entire group being satisfied. My DH and I go where we want, do what we want, and not have to worry about a bedtime. We have been on trips to WDW with the nephews, which was great, but it made my DH and I appreciate trips without kids (or without other adults) all of the time. I say enjoy it, especially if you have family members willing to take over for a week!! HAVE FUN!!

PS...I am feeling guilty about leaving our 3 lb Yorkie at home. We have had her for a year, and she is our only baby. My DH says I should not feel guilty about that either. So, I know that not feeling guilty is easier said than done!! GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Maude4Disney]

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in... NOT GUILTY!! DH and I are headed down in a couple weeks for a quick trip... no kids, and yes I have had those pangs of guilt, but we never get away w/out the kids (10 and 3). I cannot wait to just have some adult time and reconnect w/ DH. After 14 1/2 years of marriage I think we're entitled. Our kids always come first and we realize that someday they're going to move on to their own lives and DH and I won't know each other anymore... we need this time. I say go for it and bring back some great souvies for the kids!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Not guilty! They're lucky they have parents who want to be alone together. They're with grandparents, which is good. Buy them each a special something, call and tell them how much you love them. And plan something fun for them when you're back - their favorite restaurant or a small theme park or water park for a day.

It would be very bad if they figured out how to guilt your wife into changing her plans. Not a good lesson.

Go have fun and keep your wife so surprised and busy so she doesn't have time to miss them.

 

[LisaSt]

Don't feel guilty we left our daughter (oldest) home for 3 weeks on our honeymoonin 98 when she was 2 and also left her home in 96 for a week when we went.

 

[Mermaid02]

Guilty- I went on a Disney Cruise in 2002 with my best friend and left my husband and kids home- I had a good time(for 2 days then missed everyone terribly), would NEVER do it again!

 

[frazzled one]

Well, certainly NOT GUILTY as far as I'm concerned - dh and I celebrated our 25th at WDW without our 3 teenaged daughters (who are mad WDW fans) last year, and we'd certainly do it again. BUT - if your wife is feeling guilty, it could have an impact on your trip and make it something less than the carefree, incredible time we all know WDW can provide.

Even with older kids, I found myself blubbering like a baby during Ariel's segment of Mickey's Philharmagic, thinking about how much my youngest would love it. (I'm even starting to blubber now, just a bit ..... ). I also spent soooo much more time shopping for just the perfect souvenirs for my girls than I would have if they'd been with us - about 8 hours out of a 6-day trip, and I HATE shopping!

I guess I'd suggest that you and dw have an honest talk about how much she'll be able to enjoy herself with your kids left behind. Most of the board seems to think there's nothing to feel guilty about, but that may not change what's in your wife's heart.

fraz

 

[ducklite]

Absolutely NOT GUILTY!

There is NOTHING wrong with having "couples" time without your children, regardless of where it is. We're not talking packing them off to boarding school in Switzerland. Would you be having these feelings of potential guilt if your romantic getaway was to a mountain inn? Don't let your choice of location affect your emotions.

Go, enjoy, and have an awesome time. I think your kids will also be having an awesome time being doted on by their grandparents!

Anne

 

[GailT]

As a mom of a 22 yr old that I never took a vacation or an anniversary weekend alond without him I say don't feel guilty. I am divorced now and I don't think that is why i voted that way but time alond for 2 people that love each other is not only important for the two of you but for the kids too. Go have fun and don't forget the soveniers (SP)

 

[bellebud]

had to reply to this one...

as long as your kids (especially the little one) won't be crying for you or mommy, not guilty, go and have a great time!

your kids might have one of their most memorable and cherished weeks with the grandparents and they'll remember it like a vacation of their own. again, if that's the case, definitely, definitely go!

only you guys know your kids well enough to decide how they'll do without you, and that should be your #1 priority in deciding (meaning how *they'll* feel, not how you guys will feel).

i couldn't leave my kids - but we family bed and my kids are still too attached to me. but they're 4yo and 3yo, a very big difference from yours, and they're not used to me leaving them with anyone.

i have friends who leave their kids regularly for weekends and the kids do just fine and enjoy their own time with whoever is watching them and the parents can relax and enjoy themselves knowing the kids are totally fine with it. you guys won't enjoy yourselves enough to make it worth going if you'll be worried about the kids. that would be my case. it just wouldn't even be fun for me at this point in my family's life.

if you don't think the kids (again, especially the little one) will do great now, i'd plan it for 2 years from now. you can even start planning it now which is half the fun. it doesn't "have" to be on the 10th anniversary. my dh and i actually both forgot our 10th anniversary, and it came and went and we didn't do anything special. believe me, we'll make up for it sometime.

let us know what you guys decide. interesting thread!