My husband and I are planning on leaving Sunday to Angel Fire, NM for a ski trip and I am so nervous about leaving my 3 children for the week. They will be shuffled between 3 people for the week. Their Grandma will be caring for them most evenings which definitely is not a problem, however during they day they will be with a new sitter that I have only met once and a couple of evenings with a different sitter/coworker of my husbands who will be keeping them in our home on those nights, taking the oldest to school, and little ones to the sitter.
We have not been on a vacation in 6 years and really need the time alone, but our children have never been away from us for more than a night. I stay home with them during the day so they don't even go to a sitter on a regular basis. I am really worried about their reactions and if they will get upset while we are gone. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the week a little easier on them. I have left each of them a gift at grandmas from us to either just give them or wait for them to ask when we're coming home or that they miss us to help cheer them up. Does anyone else leave their children for vacations?
I really appreciate everyone's responses. We are leaving tonight at Midnight. I didn't even think about the POA but have taken care of that. And it just happended that all the kiddos got sick with a cold the past couple of days but I think they'll be fine. Grandma has the insurance card in case anyone needs to make a trip to the doctor. Everyone has schedules and everyones phone numbers etc. I think I have planned it about as much as I possibly can. The chart for the oldest child is a wonderful idea, while I am out of time now I will definitely do that if we take another trip. You ladies are wonderful thanks for the advice!
they will be fine! you have taken every precaution you could to make sure they will be well cared for. so go have a blast! i go for a personal holiday once a year and try for a weekend getaway once a year, if not every 2 years. the gifts work wonders, plus you can call them once a day or so. you may find though that by day 3 or 4 they will be too busy having fun to miss you. that will be a good thing! have a blast with no guilt!
You have decided if you really need to go. Do you and your husband and you NEED that time away and together. You kids sound busy, so I am sure they will get along okay with out you. but if your going to go skiing always thinking of your kids and not relaxing. Then you better not go. I have left my son a few times. it's hard at first. But after I feel so refreshed and ready to go. And trust me after being home with him all the time. I'll do anything to get a boost. Getting away for a little bit will help you and your husband and in the long run make you a better mother.
taking a trip with your husband and without the kids is perfectly fine. your mom will call if anything comes up. you both will be better parents as well as closer partners for giving yourselves a time out. M.
absolutely go enjoy yourself...you deserve it...My husband and I started going to vegas with friends once a year when my daughter was 5..we left her teddy bear with 5 days worth of hugs and kisses so "he" could give them to her while we were gone...it got to be later on in years that she would start asking us when we were going on our trip so she could have her vacation away from us...she is now nearly 22 and she survived it all..
have a fun, safe trip
Our kids were a little older when we went for a week long vacation, and they only stayed with Nana. But the one thing that they really liked was that we had a set time to call home each morning and night. It was really hard since it was a different time zone and we had to plan around the phone call a little bit, but the kids knew that we would be calling at 8:00 sharp to make sure we said goodnight and hear about their day, and we called in the morning to say our I love you's before they left for school. Nana reported that they eagarly waited and watched to clock to know when we were about to call, and that was all the reassurances they needed.
How wonderful! Every kid is different but my kids always responded better if I prepared them days in advance and let them know what was going on and with who. I told them in advance so it gave them a chance to ask questions and not feel rushed. I especially would talk to the 6 year old and ask him to be a big boy and help her out. I let him know he can call me anytime of day. We made sure our will and testament was done and family knew were the documents were kept just in case.. as well as insurance cards and poa. As far as the different sitters go maybe you can pre plan activities out of the house so they do not miss you so much in the routine of things, Plus it will help there days go by fast as well. Try not to worry and have fun.
I would really try to eliminate the third person and just keep it grandma and the new sitter. That would just make it less confusing for the kids. Either way, write up a chart that the six year old can read and put it on the bathroom door, so every day that goes by (person by person) he can have sign off on that blank, so they will all know how much longer they have of "freedom!" (you might put that positive spin on it, girls yes, boys maybe...) That way, they can gauge time by people and it can kind of be an official sign in and sign out thing that the six year old can be in charge of keeping.
Also, I would have the new babysitter over all day Friday or Saturday just to watch you or hang out or you could watch her. It might be very worth it. You might spend one hour writing down a tip sheet listing what makes each one ticked and what makes each one happy.
Insurance cards are a must...
Just some thoughts...
Oh yes, have each boy give you something to take from them for you to remember them by and take a picture with it and send it to them via e-mail...it was my idea before the commercial came out...
Trust me I completely understand needing time alone with your husband. We all should take the time for that. It would be better if your children had a continual caregiver and only be placed with someone they as well as you are completely comfortable with. It might make them feel uneasy with someone they don't know very well especially in the evening. You sound like a very loving and doting mother and if you are anything like me you won't enjoy yourself on vacation as well as you should be able to, because of worry and guilt that you aren't with your children. That is completely normal. As long as you are comfortable with your choice of caregivers and have complete confidence in them go enjoy your husband and remember how it feels to be a woman and wife again rather then just a mom.
Go ahead and have a good time. Just make sure you have a power of attorney for everyone in case someone does have to go to hospital (not trying to scare you). Parents need time to be a couple without the children. The little gifts are good. Maybe you can start a new tradition in your home -- mom and day away for a week and everyone is fine. Enjoy the snow and each other. Think of it as a second or first honeymoon.
