When you travel, who watches your kids?

[Anonymous]

We are lucky that my parents are available to watch my DD. But now she is older there are other opportunities for shorter getaways. There's sleepovers at friend's, sleep away camp, girl scout trips and sports tournaments. In fact, her girl scout troop leaders just emailed that they are going camping the weekend of DH and my anniversary. We're already making plans for a weekend away while she's gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that a lot of the parents here who say they'd never travel without the kids are ones who are working full time and feel too guilty leaving them.

Then there are the parents with nannies who can't even go on vacation without bringing her. They can't even take care of their own kids for a week! So funny.

Nope, I’m a stay at home mom. There are so many places I’d like to take our kids before they grow up. Not enough time for that, let alone that & couple only trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm guessing that a lot of the parents here who say they'd never travel without the kids are ones who are working full time and feel too guilty leaving them.

Then there are the parents with nannies who can't even go on vacation without bringing her. They can't even take care of their own kids for a week! So funny.

In defense of taking a nanny on vacation with you: you actually get a real vacation with sleeping in and long dinners with your husband. I envy people who can afford taking nanny with them. My friends who do this are great parents and spend lots of time with their kids when they’re on vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had children because I want them, they travel with us. It’s called a family and families take trips together.

LOL no.

Some family trips involve the grandparents, some just the parents and kids. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the parents taking trips alone without the kids.

This was true for me growing up as a kid, and for me as a parent.

[Anonymous]

We have only been away overnight kid free to have our second. We don’t have family who are willing. It’s sucks but it is what it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had children because I want them, they travel with us. It’s called a family and families take trips together.

LOL no.

Some family trips involve the grandparents, some just the parents and kids. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the parents taking trips alone without the kids.

This was true for me growing up as a kid, and for me as a parent.

+1 it feels so refreshing to spend time away with hubby. My parents or in-laws watch them. Grandparents in their early 60’s. We take family trips too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our oldest is 8 and DH and I have been away once for a weekend together without kids in that whole time, which I think is ridiculous. We don’t have family close by, but even so, they aren’t willing to come and stay with our kids for a couple days, so not an option. We have a great part time nanny but she has a teenaged son and isn’t interested in doing weekends or overnights either.

All of our friends have started traveling again without kids this summer and I am feeling incredibly jealous that they can just get away. All have family who comes to help out, even if they don’t live close by they will travel in.

So what do others do, especially those without family support? Are we resigned to just never go away again?

I know we could just find a random sitter to stay, but my kids definitely take time to warm up, especially my younger one who is almost 4.

Find out which of your friends has a fantastic nanny. Approach her about being your date night sitter and eventually (within a few months) weekend nanny while you vacation. Be prepared for $300-400/24 hours.

[Anonymous]

Ours are grown now but we never traveled without them. We had no family and it just wasn’t that important to us. For our 15th anniversary sister in law was near and able to take them for two nights. They were 11 and 9 then. We didn’t take a weekend again after that. It was nice but we did enjoy traveling as a family. Most people don’t have the help, time or money to do couples trips. You’ll be ok. It’s nice if you can but not a requirement.

[Anonymous]

We drop our kids off at my parents 15 mins away but only for a max of 2 nights (that’s their limit) and no more than twice per year. It would be too much otherwise. Kids are 5 and 2 and parents are 68-71. I know people who leave their little kids with parents for a whole week but We don’t do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t travel without my kid. I think most people don’t.

Yes to this. Mine are teenagers and we’ve never done it. Remember they’re only with you for so long and even though it seems forever right now soon you’ll be empty nesters and this won’t be an issue!

[Anonymous]

You could have a wonderful getaway with kids at 8 and 4, if you choose a resort with a kids club and evening babysitting services. They will play all day with camp counselors while you two lounge at the pool or go for a hike/excursion, and then have a leisurely meal with wine before bed.

[Anonymous]

Once grandparents came from out of state and stayed with kids, my sister generously stayed several times when the kids were young, swapped with SIL (I went to their house for a week with my kids, she brought her kids to our house for a week six months later). Both sets of parents got a much needed vacation abroad, cousins loved having extended sleepovers.

[Anonymous]

Why not send your kid to sleep away camp? 8 is the perfect age.

FWIW, I don't think it's really that common for parents to travel without their kids. DH and I have done it a couple of times, when the kids could stay with grandparents, but only for a night or two.

[Anonymous]

In the middle of the night then we clap

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had children because I want them, they travel with us. It’s called a family and families take trips together.

LOL no.

Some family trips involve the grandparents, some just the parents and kids. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with the parents taking trips alone without the kids.

This was true for me growing up as a kid, and for me as a parent.

+1 it feels so refreshing to spend time away with hubby. My parents or in-laws watch them. Grandparents in their early 60’s. We take family trips too.

+2. Refreshing is exactly how I describe it. Same.