Have You Done WDW Without The Kids?

[Pig Pen]

We LOVE WdW without kids. Our kids are now grown, so we don't need to feel guilty.

AND you folks with kids should not feel guilty either. In fact, there came a point when my kids didn't WANT to go on vacation with us!

Everyone deserves a break now and then. What the kids don't know won't hurt them.

 

[CamColt]

LOL, goofymom23! You arent a bad person at all. That is how you feel about your family and that is absolutely fine. A lot of other people feel that way too. Everyone has to do what works for them.
I agree that family vacations are for family time. I would never take my kids on vacation and stick them in day care(I dont do it at home, why would I do it on vacation). On the other hand I have no problem with taking an occasional adult vacation. I am with my kids 24/7(except school time for the oldest now), and in order for me to be a good mom, I need to have some time away from them. IMO, I dont think I missed much of their childhood by being away from kids for 5 days in the past 6 years...and those 5 days created some wonderful memories for DH and I as a couple(which we still are, even though with the kids, it sometimes doesnt seem like it), and it gave us all a chance to recharge and have some fun.
You have to do whats best for you and your family.

 

[zurgswife]

We havedone WDW 3 times without kids..10th anniversary, Sept 2001 (yes 9/11), and DIS Con last year....It was wonderful...while we missed our kiddos...It was a blast not to have them in tow...

 

[winniedapooh]

We went away for the very first time alone in 13 years in 2001, had so much fun we did it again last year. We have 5 Dcherubs ages 5-14 and like you we do everything with our children but between his work, my work, and graduate school ugh.....we needed a break and it was a BLAST! We did have the good graces, lol, to take our cherubs in January but I still sigh longingly when I think of the two of us having a blast in Disney. We ate where and when we wanted, did what we wanted, etc. etc. etc. He still calls my cell phone and hums the splash mountain theme to me. I say if you get the chance go for it.....I know we will, every chance we get! I think it was good for our kids too.

Faith, trust, and pixie dust to you!

 

[Micca]

Smaller group=less stress. You'll have to work out the guilt thing.
Moms and Dads need vacations too.

 

[wld]

We too have taken an adult only trip for our 24th anniversary last June. I felt guilty planning it as we have always taken our kids with us. But we decided long ago that sometimes mom and dad need time alone as that is how they will end up when the kiddies are off doing their thing. We started slow a night or weekend away when they were maybe 10 and 14. By the time we went to WDW alone they were 15 and 18. They think it is cool and romantic that mom and dad go away without them. And they don't have to see the kissy stuff.(Apparently they are both the product of immaculate conception) And they love the vacation from us too. We do a great many things as a family but recognize the individual too.

Anyway, when we got to WDW and were checking in I found I was really missing them. A quick call home and the 15 year old was "Oh Please, Mom" that ended the guilt quickly and we had a great, great time, doing some things we couldn't normally afford.
We did take them back in December and enjoyed our time with them as well.

I would go, I think you would enjoy it immensely and find your kids don't begrudge you your time together as a couple.

 

[Kimbra]

Thanks Everyone!

You replies we great and encouraging. Actually, my 12yr.old son heard about his Uncle & Aunt going on a cruise last month for their anniversary and asked me when ours was and then replied " Why don't you and Dad ever go anywhere alone to celebrate." So we've decided to go next May and enjoy ourselves. Besides Grandpa and Grandma will come in from Iowa to stay with them, so they'll still get to eat wherever they want and be spoiled.

Thanks again and I'm so excited to start planning even though it's 14 months away.

Have A Great Day
Kimbra

 

[Buz]

We went last May for a long weekend without the boys. The teenagers (DS18, DS16) could have cared and DS12 was OK as long as it didn't mess up our Nov trip with them.

It is almost like there are totally different parks without kids. We sat through all the shows the boys didn't care for, ate at fancy restaurants, the works.

Buz

 

[Luv2Roam]

Sure we have - all the time. We have to board our kids in a kennel.

 

[anne60]

good one luv2roam..... we just put them in the mudroom with food and water...........

 

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by goofymom23
There will be plenty of time to see and do things without them when they are on there own, but vacations are about family and they are family...Kids need vacation time also...I just do not understand how parents can leave their kids and enjoy vacations. When they grow up and our gone you can enjoy any vacation you want, until then enjoy it with them.

Goofymom, a few thoughts--

I have wonderful memories of family vacations during my childhood, and, having lost two years of my father's presence in the house due to his military career, I know the value of kids spending time with their parents; however

I also have some wonderful memories of spending time with my grandparents when my parents, or my grown sister, during vacations my parents took without me, and being happy that my parents seemed to be happy as a couple.

I hope to give all those memories to my son, and since my parents are already in their 70s (but in good health, thankfully), I'm not going to hesitate to have my folks take him for a long weekend here and there while my wife and I enjoy some time focusing on one another.

BTW, we, also, were overjoyed when our son was born.

 

[Sharby]

Agree with DancingBear. A couple with a strong relationship with each other is the best foundation for a strong family. And as dancing bear pointed out: ". . . .while my wife and I enjoy some time focusing on one another."