Travel Without Kids

Updated on September 09, 2011
S.K. asks from Plano, TX
11 answers

A little background...my husband and I LOVE TO TRAVEL. We live for it. Sure, I'd like to remodel my kitchen but between that and a great trip, bring out the suitcases!

So we have 4 year old and 7 week old sons. Our 4 year old has traveled more than many adults I know including international trips starting at a very young age. And we are big believers in traveling without kids as well - I think its good for our marriage and our general sanity, and we have grandparents in town who have always jumped at the chance for some alone time with our older son. The first time we left him with them was when he was 5 months old..I had a nightmare experience with breast feeding and finally had to stop and that trip was kind of a consolation for me like, see, there are some advantages when nursing doesn't work.

So now my husband has some work travel coming up and one trip is to a really nice resort and he wants me to come with him to get some sleep, some uninterrupted work done, and just some down time in the spa or by the pool. I feel weird about leaving our younger son so soon though! He will be about 10 weeks old when this trip would take place. Grandparents are totally on board and encouraging me to go; in fact at first I was talking about taking him with us but my MIL was the one who suggested keeping them both. She is looking forward to some 1:1 time with him while our older one is in school too.

I'm very torn...of course it sounds nice and a great chance to dive into some work projects (I have my own business) I haven't been able to do because, you know, I have a newborn. So I'm just looking for some input, experiences of others...just trying to gauge whether I'm nuts for even considering this!

Thanks in advance!

Update: One thing I should have said earlier is that I am not nursing this one.

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E.T.

answers from Dallas on

I had a friend who, before she even got pregnant, made plans to go to the Vancouver Olympics (there was a group of 4 of them... 2 couples). Then she ended up having her baby past her due date, so I think her daughter was about 2 months old.

She kept her plans, went to the Olympics (grandparents kept the baby), and let me tell you, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the bond she has with her daughter.

I first left my son when he was about 3 months old and he loves me more than anyone on the planet. :)

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J.C.

answers from Anchorage on

If you are breast feeding I would wait a while longer before introducing formula for the purpose of a trip. I think 10 weeks is still very young, and an important time of bonding for you and the baby. Maybe Grandma could take the older child, and either baby could go with you, or you could stay home and have special one on one time with the baby? I don't think it would harm the child to be left with Grandma of course, but for me it would just be too young.

4 moms found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree with Jen C.

Put your trip off for 3 to 5 months. It will be less to worry about and you will have good bonding time. Unless something unusual happens, where ever you are going will still be there next year, but your bonding time with your new born will be gone forever.

I like to travel too. But in this case I would delay my trip. (I just got my 50th state in spring 2011 and my 47th country this summer.)

Good luck to you and yours.

2 moms found this helpful

L.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I agree w/ Jen and Ben, this is definitely bonding time, especially with mommy. Sounds soooooo tempting, but I would wait until at least 5-6 months old, personally. Good luck in your decision.

2 moms found this helpful
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N.C.

answers from Dallas on

GO,GO GO.Nothing better for a marriage than going away without kids.
The baby will never know you left and your parents will have a great time. You need to be an adult. Lucky you enjoy your rest.

1 mom found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Dallas on

Ok, girl, I'm with you, between anything and travel, we travel! Like yours, my kids have been more places (US and internationally - we took our oldest to Australia at 14 months!) than most adults. I say go! I assume it is for about a week? There is nothing wrong with you MIL taking care of your little boy. He won't remember that mommy needed some "me time" when he was 10 weeks old. I'm sure you have bonded with him and will continue to do so for the rest of his life. One week will not change the outcome of his life, but could make you a better mommy when you come back. Go Enjoy! (and I'm jealous! ;-))

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

Go with your gut.

Personally, if the trip was a month or so, I'd wait for the next one. If it's a week or a weekend, I'd let my wee one have some bonding time with his Nonna (whom I trust implicitly with my child). Catch up on some sleep and come home a better mum for my kiddo.

((I too, travel with and without my son. He is soooo blessed to be loved by so many. His bonding with others has in no way diminished his bonding with me. Hearts just aren't finite. The more people they love and whom love them the more they grow :))

1 mom found this helpful
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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

Don't be on the fence ;-) Go!

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L.P.

answers from Dallas on

GO!!!!! When our youngest was barely 3 months old my husband and I went to London for 5 days, we also had a 3 yr old at home. My husband's sister came to watch the boys. It was nice to get away but we also went for business and to look for a place to live in London. So I was totally distracted and not spending 5 days thinking of my baby boy at home the whole time. I missed him but it was nice to get some alone time with my husband too. (and some sleep)

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M.C.

answers from Dallas on

Go for it! Sounds like you'll have quality care for the kids. The baby doesn't have a sense of time yet, so he won't notice how long you're gone. Take this time for yourself and your husband. Moms of newborns need a little time off every once in a while. Take it while you've got the chance!

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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