we have 4 kids 12, 16, 17, 18, and have always gone for a week or two every year. Our 1st time to TTR in march (12 nights) we usually go to barbados, but fancied a change. Our 4 are used to us going, we always go when they are at school. Never in school holidays and my wifes parents come to stay at our place to look after them. So they dont move house or do not have any normal routine disrupted. Its been fine for years. grandparents have more trouble controlling our great dane LOL. Being honest the youngest is the only one who needs looking after, although if he went to his grandparents house and we left the 3 elder ones at home!!!!!!!! I think people would be leaving TTR and heading for my house for the bigger party... To all those worried, the kids will be fine. They are for more adaptable than most of us give them credit for.
So many relationships crumble because they are all about the kids. Then one day the kids grow up, move out of the house, and all there is left is a relationship you neglected for 18+ years. That's not good for you, your spouse, or your children. We have a 2 1/2 year old at home and he is going to learn that mommy and daddy do family vacations and they do vacations alone. My parents watch our son and couldn't be happier. Now granted, we don't tell them we are going to TTR... We tell them we are going to Mexico, take out an international cell phone plan for a month, and tell them do not hesitate to call if you need something.
We have three kids as well. Ages 14, 11, and 8. The first year we went we did feel a little guilty about leaving them. We have learned that we need our time together as well. We came home so much closer than we left that I can't see a reason not to go. Trust me, they will be fine.
We have a 6 & 8 year old. We went to TTR for our 10 year anniversary last year. It was the first time we had been on vacation, just the two of us, for more than a weekend since our honeymoon. Our kids stayed with my parents and they all had a great time! While we were there, we didn't call to check on them because we knew they were in good hands and if we were really needed, they knew how to reach us. Having kids doesn't mean putting your relationship on the back burner until they can fend for themselves for an extended time without adult supervision. My relationship with my husband is just as important as our relationship we have with our kids. We had a great time last year and plan to take our parenting hats off again this year for 9 or 10 days. I'm not sure who is more excited...my parents so they can have the time with our kids or us. ~N
My situation is a bit different yet very similar. My kids are now grown and out of the house, 19 and 23. This was to be my empty nest time. However last year I had to move my father in with me due to Alzheimer's . So I work 6 days a week plus take care of my father at night. I have no help it is just me. I am having all kinds of guilty feelings about going on vacation. But I know I need time for ME. I have hired help to come stay with him while I am gone so I know he will be well taken care of. So since I am now his parent I am dealing with the same feelings as I did when my kids were small. But I need to remember to take time for me and my own well being. So I'm gearing up to take my vacation of vacations while at TTR again with the April addicts. Doesn't mean he won't be on my mind, but for my time there it will be about me.
Glenn and I started going to the resort when the kids were about 10 and 12. We started off with Grandma watching them for a couple trips. We also had trips where they both went to their best friends house for a week. They loved that too. My thoughts, is getting away made us better parents and it gave them a vacation from us too. They learned to eat different foods that I don't particularly eat because of it. We then went on the have trips where they stayed at home and their Uncle Al stayed over at night. Once Megan was 17 and Steve 18 they stayed alone. We feel confident in their ablility to handle it being that we have great neighbours and help was across the street. They are now 19 and 21 and so glad that we don't have to do the babysitter thing anymore. I think your kids will do great with it. I week goes by pretty fast.
We have 3 boys 9, 7 and 5 and for the first 5 years we went nowhere without them. We realized we missed our adults only vacations but are not so lucky that we have relatives who can take care of them. So what we have done is hire a babysitter for the week that has been either a friend of the family or one of their older kids (money for university) and honestly it has worked out great. In the last 4 years we have gone on quite a few trips (TTR the last 2, April and Nov 2012) and we wouldn't trade it. It is a lot more expensive to do it this way but at the end of the day we get our alone time and the kids are always well taken care of and get a different view of not having mom and dad around all the time, try new foods and get a little spoiled. Sure we miss them and they miss us but at the end of the day it is only for a week. We spend all summer running to ball fields and all winter running to the rinks (over 30 ice times a month combined) so a well deserved break is welcome. The ironic thing about this thread is we want to go back in April but may not have a sitter available... Hope we don't have wait until November! At the end of the day do what you think is right for you guys and don't let others make the decision for you.
The first time we went, our son was 2 yrs old. He had just as much fun staying at Grandpa & Grandma's for a week as we did on vacation! We called everyday to talk to him, but never onced worried about him. This year will be a bit different, as we will be leaving him and a 9 month old. It's been a long 2 years and we NEED this vacation. The grandparents are great and we know they are in great hands. We will miss them like crazy, but won't worry about them for a minute. I'm a stay at home mom, so I spend 24/7 with my kids. I think they need the break from me just as much! We do everything as a family and do a least one family vacation every summer, so taking one week for us isn't hurting anyone!
