Vacation with Out Kiddos

If they are familiar with staying with the grandparents, then they should be fine. You will likely miss them more than they will miss you.

I was never able to be away from my daughter, because we had no grandparents living, or any other close relatives nearby. I admit that I don't think I could have left for the first year or so, but then I was jealous of others' ability to take a vacation!

Yay for you!!! We just got back a few weeks ago from leaving our kids for 10 days. We went on a cruise and left them with my SIL for 1/2 the time and my mom for the other half. It was so hard on me, but they were more than fine...serioulsy. My kids are 3 and 16 mos. It was a little harder on the baby b/c he just didn't get it. One day we were here and then we weren't. But at the same time, he has zero concept of time, so then we were back! ;) The first 4 days we called in my daughter was too busy to talk to us...my SIL asked if she wanted to talk and she said, oh no thanks...and went on about her day! LOL! DO NOT feel guilty! You deserve to go and have fun and you WILL!!! The worst part is the anticipation of leaving. One b/c you feel guilty and two because you have so much to do, but I promise once you touch down in Italy you will put on your vacation attitude and it will be great! Here's a few things we did if you want some tips...

About a week or two before we left I played it up to my daughter that SHE was going to be on vacation too. They would do fun things, eat treats, etc. etc. I also told her she would need to help take care of her little brother, and she loves that, so that helped too. We also put international calling on our phone...if you don't have it, get it. You can just do it for a month or even a few weeks I think. Also, make sure you get a document that gives over the right to make medical decisions to the grandparents. You will either have to have it notorized or we downloaded one from a legal website, I think it cost like $15 which is a little more than a notary, but easier since I didn't have to go anywhere. The best thing I did was leave presents for them to open every morning. I picked up a bunch of random things and put them in manila envelopes. I got things like candy for one day, cars and little dolls, a DVD, a gift card to McD's, balloons, etc. I also printed off pictures of us and the kids and put 1-2 pictures inside the envlelopes. I got one of those cheapo photo books that are just clear and made a cute cover for it. I put that in the first envelope and they got to put all the pictures in it every day plus they had pictures of us to look at. I decorated each envelope and put the date on it. It worked out really well b/c the 3 y/o was way into presents, plus it gave her a way to count down the days until we came home. Our caregivers said this was great for them too. We agreed to check in once a day, usually in the morning b/c we figured everyone would be home then. It was super fun and we can't wait to do it again! It will be okay, and trust me, you'll be more worked up about it than the kids!

Oh and I also wanted to add that my daughter was so glad we were home and for the first day or two she kept telling me I'm so glad you're home, and then on third day she stated that daddy and I could on vacation again, she was fine! LOL!

Guilt?!?! NO GUILT! You're going to have a great time and, as Sue posted, you'll miss them more than they'll miss you. Familiar grandparents are the best babysitters ever!

I left my 4yo and 18mo for a business trip (with my hubby) for a weekend. I left the boys with our most favorite babysitters (two sisters). I rushed home in a total panic because I couldn't handle being away only to discover my boys didn't even notice I was gone and--get this--my 3 year old had proposed marriage to one of the sisters! [eyes rolling] I never panicked again and learned to really enjoy my time away.

So, go to Italy. Enjoy yourself. Repeat after me...NO GUILT!!!!!

Have fun!

Your Kids know their Grandparents very well.
It will be fine.
Maybe until then, they can have 'practice' sleep overs with them. Just over night.
Sounds like you trust the Grandparents very much.
It will be fine.

Bring them all back something very nice.
For Grandparents too.

Is your Husband going with you too?

My BIL's wedding will be out of town when my DD will be almost 2 and I have already said that there is no way that I am attending. I cant leave my baby, even for a night. I couldnt imagine for 9 days. Sorry, Im sure thats not what you want to hear but just thinking about it makes me sad.

If you have help, it's going to just fine. Kids will bond with grandparents, lots of quality time. It's nice to see so involved and so caring grandparents, you are very lucky. If I had the type of help I would definitely do it. It must be the one life time opportunity for you and your husband. Most likely you will come back with a seviniour...and with three kids you will be going on staycations:) your husband seems very thoughtful to surprise you with the ticket. Moms always feel guilty, it's our nature. Enjoy it, life is too short!!!!!

You have gotten some great advice already (except for the ones that said don't go!) Your kids will be fine and you will come back renewed and rested. You are lucky to have grandparents to help out. When I have left my kids with their grandparents, I always typed up detailed instructions about their schedules - likes, dislikes, favorite foods, what comforts them, bedtime routines, favorite toy, etc. My mom did not always follow the routine exactly, but she really appreciated having the info. My kids are teenagers now, but I still do this (More about their schedules and where they had to be when.) Recently we went to Paris for two weeks and my kids kept making jokes about checking the schedule to see what they were supposed to do next. lol

Oh how great of your husband! If you have grandparents or other family members you can leave your kids with... I say go! Don't feel quilty for having time with your husband, time with friends and time in Italy. You will miss the kids (for the first few days :-)but at the same time you will be refreshed and relaxed when you come back. We went on vacation to the Bahamas' when our kids were 5 and 3 1/2...they stayed with my Aunt in east Texas since all the grandparents live out of state. We had the best time and the kids enjoyed "the country" environment.

Oh go and have a good time. The kids will be fine and you can enjoy a honeymoon like nothing else. Take in the sites and the souns and have a blast for me even.

The other S.

Hi!

Lucky you! You need to go have a great time and enjoy yourselves. Yes, it will be hard and you will miss them, but try not to let it ruin YOUR fun! Sounds like you have the perfect babysitters - GRANDPARENTS!!! What I have found makes it a little easier on the kids is if the Grandparents come to our house. The kids are still in a familiar place and in their own bed. If that is not an option, bring their favorite things. I would call the kids every day, but I would recommend is NOT to tell them an exact time that you will call. You will be busy having fun and an exact time would be hard to predict.

Hope this helps and enjoy Italy!!!

We went on vacation and left the girls with my mom (whom they see all the time). They did totally fine, but by day 3.5 they were ready for us to be home and I was really ready to be home. We came back the next day, but mom said that about 3 nights was all they were happy with. They were fine and having fun, they just started to really miss us. I wouldn't feel guilty, your kids will be fine and you will have fun, but I would expect the end of your trip to be a little hard since you'll probably be missing them. Also, when we came back, the girls were visibly a little upset with us (which is common I've heard) until a few hours after we got home. My kids were a little younger than yours though so maybe you'll have less problems?

If we go on a vacation the kids go with us. We are older 47 and 46 and have had plenty of time for ourselves before our children (ages 6 and 4). We have no plans to ever have a vacation without them. Sorry I know it's not what most people do these days but there will be a time when they are grown and gone but for now they are with us :)
C.

Don't feel guilty. My parents went to Acapulco when we were small and left us with gma. For one thing - it was great to spend that kind of time with gma - plus- no offense gramma but It made us appreciate mom a whole lot more! That trip became part of our family story. We still have the knick knacks they brought back and have all heard the stories 1,000 times. So, my point - it did not adversley affect us kids. GO have fun. Get smart phones or skype or whatever you can do to keep in contact and see thier faces a couple times a day and let them see yours. One thing that helped us was marking off the days on the calendar. Maybe you could make an "Advent" style calendar for your 3 yr old. Everyday he gets to marka day off and get a piece of candy or a trinket or something. We also liked to see on the globe where Acapulco was and made gramma show us quite often.

My husband and I took a vacation to Europe when the boys were 4 and 20 months. Sure, we missed them being gone for 10 days and I was nervous about leaving them that long, but we had so much fun and it was great to reconnect as husband and wife without the daily stress of the kids. I think the ages are perfect because they're old enough that they are somewhat self sufficient, yet not so old that they really want to go or feel like they're missing out. Have a great time!