How do you tell the kids your going without them? Need suggestions!!

[bcinohio]

DH and I are going to WDW Oct 3-7 for our 15th Ann. without the kids. We were suppose to go for our 10th, had it booked and everything, then he got layed off. We had to cancel. We are going to try again. We leave in 60 days but have not told the kids(10 & 13). They love Disney and we have taken them many times. I would like some suggestions on how to tell them. How did you tell your kids when you went alone?

Thanks for any help. We can not wait. We have never been in the fall we always go in the summer.

 

[goofypooh]

DH & I are leaving in two weeks without kids to celebrate our 15th anniversary (which was in May). Our kids have been on two Disney trips with us & we know we will take them again. They were a little disappointed when they realized we were going without them, but it helps them to know that they will get to go when we go again. Just be honest with them & tell them that sometimes parents just need some adult time together. It also helped our kids to know that some of the things we will be doing would be "boring" to them.....like the Keys to the Kingdom Tour at MK. I also have a massage scheduled. Enjoy your time together!!

 

[mmeb144]

The last time my DH and I took an adult's only trip, my kids were about those ages. We explained that we needed some "couple only" time. I also put together a little surprise to be opened each morning that we were gone. The small gifts cost about $1 each. They were cheesy, but the kids liked knowing that we cared about them. We also called every morning and evening. We just couldn't cut the umbilical cord!

 

[Echo queen]

My kids would be so upset if we went to WDW without them I think it may upset me more to go some place so magical without them Don't get me wrong we do go places without them. 2008 we all will be going to WDW for our 17 wedding anniversary

 

[Pokprincess]

I kinda agree with the last poster... Disney without kids, before kids is one thing (for me anyway), but I couldn't possibly go there without them... nor would I take them to DISNEY.. and get a babysitter.

Sorry... it just doesn't seem right. We did Disney & everything everywhere before we had kids.. and now that we have kids.. couldn't imagine going without them & having fun while they are home.

 

[Michiana]

DH and I are going to WDW Oct 3-7 for our 15th Ann. without the kids. We were suppose to go for our 10th, had it booked and everything, then he got layed off. We had to cancel. We are going to try again. We leave in 60 days but have not told the kids(10 & 13). They love Disney and we have taken them many times. I would like some suggestions on how to tell them. How did you tell your kids when you went alone?

Thanks for any help. We can not wait. We have never been in the fall we always go in the summer.

Good for you celebrating your anniversary at Disney. We will be there in Sept for our 25th anniversary, and we also went for our 15th !! Like you, our kids have been to Disney many times and it seems like everywhere between New York to Hawaii we have taken them. Most couples go away for their anniversary and not take the kids with them. We just tell them this trip is for mom and dad and tell them we will bring them lots of goodies when we get home. Of course we usally call them everyday too!

For us this trip we are enjoying the resort ( French Quarter) and the free dining, we only have a one day pass for a park. I can hardly wait, a full week of reading by the pool and sleeping in.


You have a great time and don't feel bad about leaving your kids at home.

43 days and counting

 

[Tess'smom]

Fib. Only kidding. I couldnt go to WDW without my DD. I could however go to an island w/o her. Everytime I saw a family with a DD about my DD age, I would feel bad.

 

[smidgy]

the OP didn't ask if she SHOULD go without the kids... that was already decided. she asked ... "how to tell them". no need to pile on the guilt. I'm sure they have done MANY things for the kids in thier years of marriage.
hubby nebo and I were divorced. we decided to take a trip to disney cause we both wanted to go, and neither of us were seeing anyone at the time. I was afraid to tell the boys .. so afraid they would be jealous or feel "left out".
(ok, granted , they were, hmmm 18 and 21, but both would have Killed to go back to disney)) but they were thrilled that we were going.
I would explain that this is an adult trip and, as another poster suggested, make it sound as boring as possible! massages. night clubs, romantic diners, etc.

 

[Sooze]

Yes.. please stop making the OP feel guilty. DH and I take our kids to WDW every year, then we take a trip just for ourselves every year.

We explain to the kids (DS is 7.. DD doesn't care yet, she's only 18 mos!) that when we go with them, the trip is all about them. We do all of the kids stuff they could ever want. But when Mommy and Daddy go, we do grown up things. We ride the rides that they don't want to. We sit through shows they don't want to see. We eat at restaurants and take a LONG time to do so.

We also explain (even though DS is really a bit young to understand, but I still think it's important to hear) that when Mommy and Daddy go away by themselves, it helps them have a fun, loving marriage. I hope my own children follow our lead and take care of their own marriages someday by having "couple" time.

Do we miss our kids, of COURSE!! But we also know that we are doing what's best for our family and our OWN relationship, which will still be important long after the kids are grown and gone. And why do we go to WDW as adults only? Because we wouldn't want to be anywhere else!!

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!! Your kids will be fine.. and they will still love you!

 

[NY Disney fan]

I'm a bit of a contrarian. Don't tell the kids you are going to WDW. Tell them you are taking a mommy and daddy trip and will be back on ___ day. Why do the kids have to know where you are going? Just give the itinerary to the person taking care of them.

 

[JulielovesDisney]

Here's a "kid's" point of view!!

I'm 17 and my parents are planning a trip in October for their 30th wedding anniversary. They told me about it as soon as they had the idea. I was a little upset at first, but they told me that they will just be walking around and enjoying the scenery, not something I like to do. I need to go on the rides! So I wouldn't have any fun anyway. Your kids will be fine. Maybe see if their babysitter could take them to a local theme park for a day and do some fun stuff with them! I'll be in the middle of my last year of tennis at my highschool, so I'll be busy. As long as there is something to distract them from the fact that their parents are at Disney World without them, they'll be fine!

 

[Sooze]

I'm a bit of a contrarian. Don't tell the kids you are going to WDW. Tell them you are taking a mommy and daddy trip and will be back on ___ day. Why do the kids have to know where you are going? Just give the itinerary to the person taking care of them.

That might work if the kids are younger. But the OPs kids are too old to pull this one!! Plus, if you want to bring home souveniers... how do you explain the lovely WDW t-shirt you are bringing home!?

 

[tcarr5]

We're going to WDW and your NOT!!!

seriously tho, not sure what I'd say, my kids go everywhere with us...they're 16 and 20 years old. they'd probably understand but i'd be heartbroken

that's a mom for ya

 

[mama4]

Will you be taking another family trip there any time soon? (or within the next year?) Dh and I are going in October for a few days for our anniversary and we'll be going back for a family trip in January. I've really been playing up th January trip with the kids- making a list of all the rides they want to do, picking out a few meals, stuff like that. I also plan to make a countdown calendar (for the Jan trip) before dh and I leave for our trip. I think this will make it a little easier on them just knowing there is a definite trip in the works for them. No trip to WDW planned for everyone? How about some other upcoming trip. Start discussing the details of THAT trip with the kiddos- get them excited about it. Maybe that'll help? Good luck and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for spending some quality time with your spouse

 

[tcarr5]

Will you be taking another family trip there any time soon? (or within the next year?) Dh and I are going in October for a few days for our anniversary and we'll be going back for a family trip in January. I've really been playing up th January trip with the kids- making a list of all the rides they want to do, picking out a few meals, stuff like that. I also plan to make a countdown calendar (for the Jan trip) before dh and I leave for our trip. I think this will make it a little easier on them just knowing there is a definite trip in the works for them. No trip to WDW planned for everyone? How about some other upcoming trip. Start discussing the details of THAT trip with the kiddos- get them excited about it. Maybe that'll help? Good luck and don't let anyone make you feel guilty for spending some quality time with your spouse

thats a great idea

 

[mama4]

thats a great idea

Thanks! Yep, my mommy guilt forces me to use the old noggin sometimes

 

[iwannbindisnee]

the OP didn't ask if she SHOULD go without the kids... that was already decided. she asked ... "how to tell them". no need to pile on the guilt. I'm sure they have done MANY things for the kids in thier years of marriage.
hubby nebo and I were divorced. we decided to take a trip to disney cause we both wanted to go, and neither of us were seeing anyone at the time. I was afraid to tell the boys .. so afraid they would be jealous or feel "left out".
(ok, granted , they were, hmmm 18 and 21, but both would have Killed to go back to disney)) but they were thrilled that we were going.
I would explain that this is an adult trip and, as another poster suggested, make it sound as boring as possible! massages. night clubs, romantic diners, etc.

Gosh, I SO agree!! We are going w/2 other couples in Jan & although our kids are 18 & 20, one couple has kids 15 & 11 & they told theirs kids that sometimes parents just need adult time & they wanted to do the adult things in Disney that would bore the kids anyway!! (some walk thru exhibits, older disney rides, people watching, shopping, etc!) When their daughter "whined" my friend said we've been with you many times before & we will again--it's adult time & that is it! I mean we are parents & we are adults--I am firm believer in individual time for couples, (guy night/weeknds & girl nights or weekends) couple time from kids & then lots of family time!
So, OP--tell them you will be thinking of them, but you need couple time & you'll look for fun things for you all to do next time in Disney!! Have a wonderful aniversary--make sure you get your buttons!! (we just celebrated our 25th anniversary!!) Deb

 

[bcinohio]

Hey, thanks for all the feed back. I know the kids will be fine. They are staying with grandma who lives with us so they don't even have to leave the house. The bummer part for them is they have to go to school. We are looking to try and take another family trip next Aug. so they will get to go then.

I really liked the e-mail idea but I don't think I will use it!!

 

[iamhollyb]

I'm not telling my kids I'm going without them in September. As far as they need to know, I'm going on another scrapbook weekend with my friends!

But...we are taking them in November, so they aren't totally getting the shaft.

Good luck - and have a great time. Couples need time alone and if you want to go to Disney, your trip with adults only will be totally different than a trip you would do with your kiddos.

-Holly

 

[dsnymomof4]

Last year when DH and I first thought about a no-kids trip, some people suggested not telling them we were going to Disney. But I didn't really feel right about that - plus I wanted to be able to talk about it. I was worried that they would be upset, but as another posted suggested, we started planning our next family trip so they had something to look forward to. I also tried to downplay the fun we would be having, but telling them we would be doing things we normally wouldn't be able to do - like take an adult tour, visit the resorts, etc. We had a wonderful time and will definitely be doing it again sometime. Good luck!