Vacations without kids

[PurdueLiz]

And no, the whole time we were there I kept thinking that this is the only way to do Disney - without little people.

We went for our honeymoon (after a hurricane hit Acapulco days before our wedding). Disney without kids is AWESOME!

We haven't taken a trip without the kids, but that's more of a financial thing than anything else. Hope to do something for our 20th in 2017, and by then the kids will be old enough to understand and likely not care much.

 

[jak]

Question for me is rather - do you take vacations??? My husband has his own business (and is the sole employee) so he NEVER takes time off, hence we never go anywhere much - a long weekend once a year or so. And that's always with kids. I also take off with the kids myself for a week during school holidays sometimes to visit family. But, even if we could take 'real' holidays we don't have anyone to leave our kids with - we have no relatives within 400km and I wouldn't impose on anyone else. But yeah, if circumstances were different, I would definitely go on a (short) holiday without the kids. They'd probably be happy to be free of us nagging them to do this and do that!!

 

[SweetMelissa]

I haven't yet taken a vacation without my kids. But since the Ex & I are split up I think I'm going to take a trip somewhere one week while he has the kids. The possibilities are endless. Vacations with my kids are a little bit more difficult since my middle child is special needs/disabled.

 

[crecia27]

Lately we have taken the kids when we go on vacation, but we have decided the next one will be adults only. We've even already told them that even though nothing is planned. They were actually fine with it. I expected them to be really upset honestly. I remember when I was a kid my parents took a trip just them to Hawaii. I got to spend a week with my grandmother, and they got to reconnect.

 

[julifish]

My MIL has insisted that we take a trip every year just the two of us. From year one she watched our then 2 month old and every year since she's taken the kids for a week or more so my husband and I can have a little get away.

At first it's hard not to feel guilty, but honestly, you have to have time to tend to your marriage and have a once a year escape together really helps reconnect. We spend time together planning our adventure which builds up anticipation even more. Some years it's just a weekend at a local beach. Some years (like this year) it's a big trip like 2+ weeks in Europe.

I find what helps is that my kids are entertained and doing something special with Grandma and Grandpa so I don't feel guilty. I also try to tell myself that I'm teaching my girls that nurturing your relationship with your husband is important.

We still do family trips, but I won't ever give up our two person trips. Even if we have to staycation with the kids down the street. Why wait for you kids to leave the nest to do these things? Life is short - you have to live it.

 

[kristijoy]

I probably should've added that my DH and I had our kid rather late. We were married almost 20 years before he was born. In that time my DH and I did a lot of travelling before he was born. We've been to India several times, Europe several, and lots of long road trips in the US. That helped us get through a lot of the travel 'bug'! Now I can't wait to take my kid to a lot of those places!

 

[marlathrall]

Chan and I are headed out on the 15th of this month without the kids for a week in Spain. Eeek! This will be the first time we have ever left them without adult supervision too! 2 years ago we went to Belgium, Hungary, Romania and Ireland but my In Laws watched them. This time it's just my oldest son (18) who will be holding down the fort! I am nervous for sure but I think it's a great opportunity for him to learn some life lessons while we are away. And maybe he will have more respect for what I do everyday. We will be skyping with them each day to check in.

It is going to be so good for him! When I was a Senior, my parents went on a trip to Arizona and left me at home with my five younger siblings. They were only going to be gone for four days, but bad weather and canceled flights kept them gone two more! My baby sister (who was four at the time) got the flu, we had TWO basketball tournaments I had to shuffle everyone to and from school, etc. I handled it all fine and it was a great learning experience for me!