Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess I'm an outlier here, but I really wouldn't go overboard with a "girls weekend" for a toddler. I think it will backfire to do too many fun special things, especially if she's already a little confused about where daddy is.

What do you usually do on the weekends with her? If you go to the playground Saturday mornings, I can see switching that up for something extra fun like the aquarium. But I wouldn't do the aqarium in the morning, folllowed by lunch out, followed by the zoo, followed by nail painting, followed by a movie, etc. etc.

Also, I would want to ration my patience/energy if I'm alone with a two year old all weekend. A go-to trip the playground that I know my 2 yr old likes would probably be easier for me than a trip to the aquarium that might end up taking up too much energy considering I have to do the entire rest of the weekend by myself.

I definitely say go for the TV though. When my husband is gone, I like to do "TV dinners" with my kids where we eat meals in the living room with the TV on. Everybody likes it, and again, it helps me save some of my patience/energy.

Yes, I realize my post is going to get me a lot of replies talking about how "lazy" I am haha.

+1


I have three kids (10, 8, 5) and wouldn't do much beyond a slightly more exciting version of what you already do. She's (almost) two. Now, if you want to make some memories, OP, or have cute photo ops, fine, but then think about what will be easy and fun for you. Two year olds thrive on structure and routine. Pick one special outing and stick to that. You're already having a big celebration when your husband is back, right?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you ALL for the ideas! This is amazing and we will have so much fun, building in plenty of flexibility and chill time (though haha I’d rather go home than go big, but man I hope my kid makes friends with the Philly/NYC parent so you can take them both later on!

I am the Philly parent. I love weekend hotel trips because it means no housework or cooking. I can truly relax. Be a little selfish and do something you want to do! Your daughter will have fun regardless. One of my favorite trips was when I visited my sister when my eldest son was 2. We all drank wine and watched sex in the city reruns. I drank mommy juice and ds had apple juice. Do something crazy and have fun with it!

You made your 2 yo son sit in a hotel room all day while you watched sex and the city and drank wine? What....? I don't see how that was at all fun or healthy for your toddler, despite the apple juice.

No, I did that in the evening while visiting my sister. My point was for OP to do something she wants to do. Everything always has to be about the kids, and we wonder why we're all depressed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you ALL for the ideas! This is amazing and we will have so much fun, building in plenty of flexibility and chill time (though haha I’d rather go home than go big, but man I hope my kid makes friends with the Philly/NYC parent so you can take them both later on!

I am the Philly parent. I love weekend hotel trips because it means no housework or cooking. I can truly relax. Be a little selfish and do something you want to do! Your daughter will have fun regardless. One of my favorite trips was when I visited my sister when my eldest son was 2. We all drank wine and watched sex in the city reruns. I drank mommy juice and ds had apple juice. Do something crazy and have fun with it!

You made your two yo son sit in a hotel room all day while you watched sex and the city and drank wine? What....? I don't see how that was at all fun or healthy for your toddler, despite the apple juice.

No, I did that in the evening while visiting my sister. My point was for OP to do something she wants to do. Everything always has to be about the kids, and we wonder why we're all depressed.

+1000 Americans are hyper-focused on themselves. OP said in her title it's a weekend trip, but then she explains she wants to do this all for her birthday? Seems exhausting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you ALL for the ideas! This is amazing and we will have so much fun, building in plenty of flexibility and chill time (though haha I’d rather go home than go big, but man I hope my kid makes friends with the Philly/NYC parent so you can take them both later on!

I am the Philly parent. I love weekend hotel trips because it means no housework or cooking. I can truly relax. Be a little selfish and do something you want to do! Your daughter will have fun regardless. One of my favorite trips was when I visited my sister when my eldest son was 2. We all drank wine and watched sex in the city reruns. I drank mommy juice and ds had apple juice. Do something crazy and have fun with it!

You made your two yo son sit in a hotel room all day while you watched sex and the city and drank wine? What....? I don't see how that was at all fun or healthy for your toddler, despite the apple juice.

No, I did that in the evening while visiting my sister. My point was for OP to do something she wants to do. Everything always has to be about the kids, and we wonder why we're all depressed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here! Thank you ALL for the ideas! This is amazing and we will have so much fun, building in plenty of flexibility and chill time (though haha I’d rather go home than go big, but man I hope my kid makes friends with the Philly/NYC parent so you can take them both later on!

I am the Philly parent. I love weekend hotel trips because it means no housework or cooking. I can truly relax. Be a little selfish and do something you want to do! Your daughter will have fun regardless. One of my favorite trips was when I visited my sister when my eldest son was 2. We all drank wine and watched sex in the city reruns. I drank mommy juice and ds had apple juice. Do something crazy and have fun with it!

You made your 2 yo son sit in a hotel room all day while you watched sex and the city and drank wine? What....? I don't see how that was at all fun or healthy for your toddler, despite the apple juice.