Travel w/out the kids

[landsm99]

Hi All-
Here is my question-do you have any problems traveling without the kids. We were considering going to the world for a special adults only trip for my 40th. We were getting very excited while in the early stages of planning. Then just the other day I said to DW - "I don't know if I can fly with out the kids-what if something happened". So with that conversation I think we are not going to go-that we would take a 3 night getaway locally (In NJ so anywhere in the North East-OT-any suggestions?).
I know statistically the chances of something bad happening are much less while on a plan then when we are driving someplace - I did not say I am rational! - and besides we can take a train to Boston.
Sooooo-anyone else feel this way? We have even talked about flying on different planes. Are we crazy? (DD is 51/2 DS is 3) Thanks for your input

 

[kikiq]

We are taking our FIRST WDW trip without kids this August. Celebrating our 32nd anniversary, WDW is the only place my DH wanted to go. That all said...he is having second thoughts at leaving our DDs at home (19, 23).
So it will never be a good time in your heart to leave your kids, even when they are really old<G>

The questions you need to ask yourself are
1) What is more important, time much needed alone as a couple or going to WDW?
2) Is money an issue in your decision?

For us, the only vacations we have taken without DDs are the 25th anniversary cruise and business trips to vegas. My DH hates leaving the kids at home. I have left my DDs when they were little to travel with my parents...first time when my oldest was 2 and the second time when DDs were 2 and 6. My DDs are and have been very independent since they were wee ones especially the oldest.

Personally I'm looking forward to doing WDW with just my DH.

Just 40 days until we're staying in the Poly!!!

Me DH

 

[jesszac610]

Crazy no, loving devoted parents absolutely! Your kids are young, but 40 is a milestone too! I can't tell you how wonderful WDW is w/o kids for I've always been there with my two, but not the case in 10 more days! I think it's normal to have those separation anxieties when you are planning a kid-free I know I did! We left our son for a weekend when he was 3 for our 10yr anniversary, and yes it was hard but it was just a rode trip. DD came a year later and we never left her until she was 5 and that was to go to the Bahama's. I was in pain missing them like crazy even though I knew they were in excellent hands (grandparents). If this is your first time away , you'll probably worry yourself sick so I'd say don't spend the $ to go to WDW, but maybe work your way up to it for your next major milestone!

 

[JanB]

Hi All-
Here is my question-do you have any problems traveling without the kids. We were considering going to the world for a special adults only trip for my 40th. We were getting very excited while in the early stages of planning. Then just the other day I said to DW - "I don't know if I can fly with out the kids-what if something happened". So with that conversation I think we are not going to go-that we would take a 3 night getaway locally (In NJ so anywhere in the North East-OT-any suggestions?).
I know statistically the chances of something bad happening are much less while on a plan then when we are driving someplace - I did not say I am rational! - and besides we can take a train to Boston.
Sooooo-anyone else feel this way? We have even talked about flying on different planes. Are we crazy? (DD is 51/2 DS is 3) Thanks for your input

You certainly are not crazy. I think it's sort of natural to think of airline travel as being more dangerous than other types. After all -- you're way up high -- what if -- what if --OK I won't say it. But statistics seem to show that there is a greater likelihood of something terrible happening to you in a car crash than on a plane. I used to tell my husband -- "But I won't fall as far from a car."

We have one child. Our son is now 20 and in college. We took a trip without him when he was 5 -- we flew to Europe -- he had his own vacation with my parents and my brother and his family. Over the years we have done long weekend trips (driving) without him -- he's always stayed with relatives. And just this year, we flew to London while he was in summer school at college.

This is my perspective. You need to live life - but you don't need to be reckless. I don't believe that taking a flying trip is being reckless. I think you'd be just as safe on a plane to Orlando as you would be on a train to Boston or in a car on the NJ Turnpike. But this is just my opinion -- it's what my husband and I are comfortable with. You have to do what you feel comfortable with. And whatever you do, try not to let your young children detect any nervousness in you.

I will say this --- Whether you get on an airplane or a train or in a car -- or whether you don't even make a trip -- you need to know that you have been a responsible parent by making proper plans and arrangements so that your children are taken care of if something does happen to you. No one wants to be morbid -- but we all want to be responsible parents --- You should be certain to have a will, and you need to be sure that you have named a legal guardian for your children should something happen to both of you.

Life is meant to be lived -- responsibly.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

We've done driving trips and left the kids at home with either my mom or MIL at our house (My MIL even flies from Seattle to CA just to watch our girls for us!) The longest we've done is Vegas from CA for 3 days and nights.

We will be going to the World in January- our girls will be just 3 and almost 5. We'll be gone 7 whole days and nights. I'm a little anxious, but I know they're in good hands, and will have fun with their grandmas while we're gone. My mom may even take them to DLR while we're gone.

Of course, ask me again come Jan!!

 

[Master Mason]

Then just the other day I said to DW - "I don't know if I can fly with out the kids-what if something happened".

Out of curiosity, does that mean it would be better if something happend with the kids???

 

[tigger813]

DH and I just returned last week from our first trip w/out the kids. We enjoyed though the kids gave the grandparents a run for their money.

I brought the idea of this trip up to my husband about a year ago. He thought , yeah right got to WDW without the kids. They wouldn't let us go. I said that they didn't have a choice. We did it and had an amazing time.

We're paying my parents and the kids back by taking them in December. We're all really excited. We bought DVC so that it why these trips are even possible.

Do what you feel most comfortable with but remember to live your life and enjoy some quality time with your spouse. You deserve it!

 

[jesszac610]

Out of curiosity, does that mean it would be better if something happend with the kids???

 

[landsm99]

In my warped don't really enjoy flying mind-I have a much easier time flying all together than without the kids.
1. I get to focus on them instead of the thought of the plane crashing to the ground
2. This is the really bad one-if we were all together the kids would not end up parentless. I know that is a horrible thought-but I did say my entire thought process on this was irrational.

 

[jesszac610]

In my warped don't really enjoy flying mind-I have a much easier time flying all together than without the kids.
1. I get to focus on them instead of the thought of the plane crashing to the ground
2. This is the really bad one-if we were all together the kids would not end up parentless. I know that is a horrible thought-but I did say my entire thought process on this was irrational.

I could not have said this better myself...these are my thoughts each and every time we've flown w/o the kids. I was confused with the pp, like I said earlier you are just a very loving devoted Dad with genuine concerns.

 

[Yensid_MD]

Well the DW and I get away at least once a year without the four children. We have some very helpful parents who will watch them. Sometimes it is to go to WDW for an extended long weekend and every other year or so we go on a mission trip with our church. The most recent was last year to Louisiana to help people who had been hit by Hurricane Rita.

So we firmly believe in getting away without the children. We love them dearly, but are committed to our marriage and giving it some of its own time.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

In my warped don't really enjoy flying mind-I have a much easier time flying all together than without the kids.
1. I get to focus on them instead of the thought of the plane crashing to the ground
2. This is the really bad one-if we were all together the kids would not end up parentless. I know that is a horrible thought-but I did say my entire thought process on this was irrational.

i can totally agree with your point (even if it is irrational ). i have always wanted to do WDW without the kids, but never knew how i could go and not take them (i would feel too guilty even though they've been there many times). well, now my opportunity has come. i am divorced and my ex is taking them down the last week in august, so my partner and i decided, why not go then. we will meet up with them a few times to do some stuff together, but it will mainly be an adult trip. of course we are flying separately so i'll get to be a wreck four times instead of just two, so i know how you feel, but try to focus on the fact that you are in far more danger each time you pull out of your driveway than when you fly.

 

[peacelovemickey]

In my warped don't really enjoy flying mind-I have a much easier time flying all together than without the kids.
1. I get to focus on them instead of the thought of the plane crashing to the ground
2. This is the really bad one-if we were all together the kids would not end up parentless. I know that is a horrible thought-but I did say my entire thought process on this was irrational.

Thank you for saying that! I had the exact same thoughts last week when we went without the kids! It was so hard to explain to DH though. It was our first trip without the kids and the hardest part for me was getting on the plane to Orlando. The flight home was much easier because I could focus on those excited little faces waiting for us in the airport!