Anonymous wrote:Feeling very jealous because in our circle of friends every single other couple has family who watches their children at least once a year so the parents can go on a child free vacation. At first it was a long weekend here and there, but now it has morphed into full weeks away. And most of the family isn’t even local but they come to town specifically to help. I desperately want to go away with DH for our 10 year anniversary next year but don’t know how we can make it happen since we don’t have family to help and it’s not like I can just hire a random sitter to watch my kids (they are 6 and 2).
DH’s parents offer to help on occasion but they aren’t in the best shape healthwise so two kids would be too much for them, especially since my FIL is super old school and does nothing to help ever. When my MIL babysat the kids for one afternoon she was exhausted so I can’t imagine her making it a whole weekend on her own. My parents have never offered and when we have broached the subject they say they aren’t comfortable doing it.
Do you go away without your kids and if so, who watches them? Are there others like us who literally haven’t been away together for years??
You’re not alone. We are in the same boat. We have never been away more than one night. And even being away one night is very seldom. We did one night on our ten year anniversary. We have never had a week long vacation without kids.