We have been taking our own vaca away from the kids since they were 10, and 8 ( now almost 17 and 15). We felt very strong that we needed time away as husband and wife and not mom and dad. We usually do 5 nights and that seems just right. We usually have them stay at a family members and usually its shared between a 1 or 2 family members. We are torn this year because we haven't been back to TTR in 2 years b/c we came back from our last visit with a souvenir- a little girl. So this year we have a one year old which is a little harder to leave for others to are for.
We have 3 kids also. They have a great time while we're gone w grandparents. The most inportant thing is that "us" parents get away to have fun together again. I'd rank Temptations as #1 place to do that!!!!!!:lotsofmichaelfs:
10 & 14 yr olds, this time they spend fri nite thru sun nite (usual every other weekend deal) with their dad 40 mi away in Ma, a couple nights at home with wonderful / helpful /retired neighbor that stays at out house with them. Last spring we were gone 10 days to BVI, similar deal. our dog goes to Erin's dads house with her beagle cousins for duration.
I remember when I was about the same age as your kids my mum and dad went on holiday and an aunt came to stay with us. I absolutely loved it! My mum and dad always took us on family holidays, I wasn't angry at them for leaving me and my brother I was more jealous because I wasn't going on holiday! Just make sure you leave them with a relative they really get on with. I absolutely loved my aunt and saw her all the time, I think if it was a relative they didn't really know or get on with then they would give you a hard time if you wanted to leave them again. I had such a good time I wanted my mum and dad to go on more holidays without me because it felt like a holiday for me staying with my aunt and I had lots of fun Also in more recent years, I looked after my niece when my brother and his wife went away on holiday and she was fine. So from my perspective as a child... then as an adult looking after a child... I see no harm in it whatsoever. Go and have fun
We have a daughter who is 6 and just returned from our 2nd trip to TTR. I talked with my mom about feeling guilty about going away again but said how wonderful is was for our relationship last year. She told me that more than anything in the world my daughter needs 2 parents that are together and love each other....and everytime we go to TTR we REALLY love each other. Planning trip #3!
We have a 3 year old and have went to TTR three times in the past three years. It's much needed adult time for us to get to know each other again. The first year was the hardest and we only stayed 5 nights. The past two years we have stayed 7 nights and seems to be the perfect length. We alternate between grandparents and it's a great way for him to spend time with them. He normally only get's to see his grandparents a few times a year, so this is a great way for him to get to know them. I think he has a much better relationship because of this. We try to take an adults only trip and a family vacation every year. This way we get our time together :69: and he gets to go on vacation too.
We have a 10 year old and we actually skipped the adult vacation last year and took her and a friend to Florida for a week. This year is about us! We are great parents and would never leave our child if we didn't know she would be very well taken care of. Couples must take time for themsevles and a 7 day trip is more than okay once a year!!! Just because you have kids does not mean you can't take important time for you and your spouse! Keeps the spark alive... Hope this helps! We will be leaving for our first trip to TTR on May 10th and we are so excited! :lotsofmichaelfs:
Basically, what they all said. We just go back yesterday. We have 4 kids. 16 down to 4 years of age. My mother flys in to take care of the kids. It's a great time for the kids and a great time for us. I believe it's of utmost importance that my wife and I get alone time. We do summer trips with the kids and see them all the time, but my wife and I never get alone time like that. To quote my wife on day 2 of TTR.... "Why is it so different when you go down on me here, than it is at home?" No kids baby, no kids.
Wow, such great comments! It really helps to hear from people in the same situation than us. Well the kids love their grand-fathers and grand-mothers and vice-versa so thats not a problem. It is really my conscience that I have a hard time to get along with. But I must say that after only 1 hour in the sexy pool, I forget all about guilt and just enjoy my time! Well, I guess taking 1 week per year as a couple is ok for the majority! And btw, there's lot of hot moms and dads on these boards :icon_wink:
We have 5 kids (ages 15, 13, 10, 8 and 6). This will be our 5th trip to TTR. The week away gives us the chance to have no responsibility and have a great time just the two of us. The rest of the year (other than our late fall vacation to Vegas), is spent with our kids. We snowmobile/ski in the winter and the boating/camping/fishing with them. Our kids are also active in ju-jujitsu and OLY youth lifting year round so there are tourney weekend that we turn into full fun weekends when we head out of town. Add in some soccer and baseball during the spring and summer months, and call it good. They only live with you for so long! If you don't have these get away weeksevery once in awhile, how will you know who each other is once they are gone?!
