Short Trip without the Kids

[DougandBeth]

I know I am going to get the following response:

"It's a personal preference and none of us can guide you it's all about how comfortable you feel"

And the above statement is true!

My question is we have a 4 and a 2 year old and have never left them more than 1 night with the grandparents who our kids adore. In addition we have always been the most three hours away from them.

I am looking to book a 2 night trip (Friday - Sunday) for just the wife and I. We love Disney and as you can tell we have been there quite a bit from our signature line. However, we have not been there in 4 years alone and we absolutely love water parks.

Has anyone left there kids this early in their age?

On a 2.5 day trip what have folks done to maiximize their time?

 

[backyardponder]

From a Grandparents' point of view...if the kids did fine for 1 night, it is time to increase the number of nights. The kids should be fine. Just make sure it is ok with Grandma and Grandpa!

 

[jdvm]

My wife and I used to do this a lot...I strongly recommend a one bedroom unit, a bottle of champagne (with special glasses) and the jacuzzi...
j

p.s. our favorite water park as a couple is Typhoon Lagoon...we always pause for a kiss at the boat with the "just married" sign on the steps to the storm slides...

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We did not leave our kids until the first one was 16..... Can't explain why and we regret it. Enjoy yourselves and each other.

 

[Joy]

Our kids are 8 and 10 and we had never left them for more than one night until this year. We went to Las Vegas for 3 nights. My TWO sisters got married on Jan 2nd. I was not going to miss that and I didn't want to take the kids to Vegas.

My daughter (8 years old) was not very happy about it, but she got thru it. She has seperation issues and I think we would have been better off starting when she was younger.

I can tell you it was great to get away just the two of us. It was nice to see my DH as my husband and not as my kids' Dad - if you know what I mean. We are going to go to Disney in June (without kids) for our 15th anniversary.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[arthur06]

Maybe DW and I parent different... but our kids go to both sets of grandparents ALOT! In fact DS3, and DS1 are there now... DS8 is home alone with me as he has school...

DW and I have been to WDW 2 times w/o kids... once for 5 nights and once for 4 nights... We took our oldest to Wash DC and not our next oldest, (3rd was not born yet)...

DW and I have never felt guilty about it either... We never have a problem leaving our kids with people that love them. There can never be a shortage of affection and love in a childs life... and there can never be a shortage of affection and love in a marriage!!! Sometimes Momma and Papa need time to be adults, be relaxed and be kid free!

Being a parent is Very hard work! Being a spouse is also Very hard work! Take time to work on both!

 

[quirty30]

2 nights is perfect if you have done 1 previously - you will not be gone long enough to feel too much separation anxiety but it will do wonders for you and your spouse. And my guess is that grandma & grandpa will spoil the kids so much that they will do just fine. It's a win/win situation in my book.

 

[KJSJpipe]

Do it, you will not regret it.
When my oldest was 4 months old DH & I went to NO for a week on business. I cried for hours after my mother picked her up and then went on to have a great time on the trip. We have two now (13y/o and 10y/o) and they both are just fine with out us for a week. They both also go to my parents house just about every weekend from Friday night until Sunday after noon. They have been on vacation with my parents with out us and we have gone on long weekends with out them to Disney. The earlier you do it the easier it will be for both of you.

 

[alanapapa]

I know I am going to get the following response:

"It's a personal preference and none of us can guide you it's all about how comfortable you feel"

And the above statement is true!

My question is we have a 4 and a 2 year old and have never left them more than 1 night with the grandparents who our kids adore. In addition we have always been the most three hours away from them.

I am looking to book a 2 night trip (Friday - Sunday) for just the wife and I. We love Disney and as you can tell we have been there quite a bit from our signature line. However, we have not been there in 4 years alone and we absolutely love water parks.

Has anyone left there kids this early in their age?

On a 2.5 day trip what have folks done to maiximize their time?

When DD15 was 4 Caro & I went on a Mission Trip to Mexico with our church. Since my DM & DF live in Palm Springs and DMIL lived in Anaheim we had my parents meet us in San Diego and we were out of the country for a week. The first night was brutal, even though we were still in San Diego. We had a great trip as did my parents and DMIL. DD spent half the week in Palm Springs and the other half in Anaheim. When the "work" part of the week was over we spent the weekend at Disneyland with DD. Go for it, you might learn a few things.

 

[Sammie]

According to a good friend who is a pediatrian, "people do this all the time, and both the kids and the parents survive".

Have a great time.

 

[rocketriter]

We did almost exactly the same thing when our kids were that age (for 4 nights). My wife had a bit of palpitation driving away from them, after which all was fine. Both sides of the equation had a great time. (And with young kids, you deserve a bit of time to re-establish your spousal relationship in a relaxed atmosphere.)

 

[sneadae]

Do it! We stayed at BLT in December and left our 2 kiddos (2 and 5) with the grandparents. Did I miss them? Of course. They missed us too. But the grandparents kept them busy, and we did things at WDW that we typically don't do when we have the kids...like waiting in line for the Candlelight Processional, enjoying drinks around the world, and staying up late every night for Wishes and hot tubbing. It was such a fun experience. We met people who would say "You mean you are here without your kids?!?!?" YES!! Go, have fun, and make memories.

 

[Nikki_Mouse]

My husband went "childless" from Dec. 9th (Wed) to Dec 12 (Sat). I have to say it was one of the best vacations- I never heard MOOOOOOOOM!!!! Yes we missed them, but they get to go next time.

 

[bringmethathorizon]

dw and i did it twice and loved it.we had a ball.the 2nd time was this past nov for 5 nights.it was great,yes we missed the kids but it was still great.

 

[dvc4life]

I have to say when they are that young and you have grandparents who are willing and capable to care for them go for it. We left our kids many times when they were younger and had no problems what so ever.

Now that they are older, it is getting more difficult for me. I have girls, ages 16 and 13, and we are leaving them home this weekend alone while we go, where else, WDW, and the weather is now supposed to be getting bad. The oldest drives and has school things to attend this weekend and the youngest has a birthday party to go to and we don't live in town and the roads could get dicey. And I won't be here if there is a problem. Grandparents go to Texas for the winter so they are of no help. However, I do have a sister who is going to try and keep tabs with them. But still, it is very nerve racking for me now.

So go while you have the chance and are comfortable with it. You will have a great time!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

A strong marriage makes a strong family. Go. Have fun.

 

[mccathy]

My wife and I used to do this a lot...I strongly recommend a one bedroom unit, a bottle of champagne (with special glasses) and the jacuzzi...
j

p.s. our favorite water park as a couple is Typhoon Lagoon...we always pause for a kiss at the boat with the "just married" sign on the steps to the storm slides...

Why a one bedroom? Why not a studio?

My husband and I are planning on doing this in March 2011 - for our 10th anniversary! I was thinking a studio at BLT.

 

[lmshaggard]

You need to do it!! We have a 4 yr old and a 1 yr old. We left them in August and went to Disney for a long weekend and we are doing it again next week. While we love to go and take our little guys (which we do 3-4 times a year), the long weekends have been so good for us!! Plus, the little ones love having the grandparents all to themselves for a couple of days. Our parents split the time - they each have them 2 nights and it works perfectly to us. The only warning is you will like you are constantly missing something with out the strollers and backpacks - and it is very weird to ride together again

 

[tmk0730]

Go for it! My DH and I are going this weekend for 3 nights without kids. Like a previous poster said a strong marriage makes a strong family! Someone asked me if I felt guilty going without the kids and I told them my 3 year old has been to Disney 4 times and a Disney Cruise....no I did not feel guilty! Plus it is wonderful for the grandparents relationship with the children. My mom and my 3 year old have a very special bond.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Why a one bedroom?

Studios don't have jacuzzi tubs.