Vacation Without Baby

My hubby and I went to Ireland this summer for 9 days and left our daughter with my mom. She was 19 months old and she did just fine. And, actually, the hardest part for me was getting to the airport, but once we were on our way, I did fine. I think it's a great opportunity. The only reason we wouldn't have done it at that age was because I was nursing and it just wouldn't have worked, but if it weren't for that, then I almost think it would have been better when she was younger. Their concept of time is pretty non-existent at that point, so they don't realize how long you've been gone.

I definitely think you should go! Have a great time!

Ryan---GO GO GO! I left my little girl for 5 days when she was 10 mo. and 8 days when she was 14 mo. and she was fine. Just remember to leave a written form that your in-laws can make medical decisions in an emergency. Have a GREAT time!

I would go in a heartbeat. This opportunity will not likely come around again anytime soon. Your son will be fine. You will be fine. Enjoy it!

Ryan,
7 mnths is really the perfect age to leave your child.
They don't really do a whole lot at that age so you shouldn't have to worry about him getting into things and he's not at that separation anxiety from mommy stage yet.
That usually happens between 9mnths-1yr of age when they start missing mommy and daddy.

I too am just like you though when it comes to leaving my kids. I'm scheduled to have a c-section in April which means almost a week in the hospital and my main concern is being away from my kiddos. My son is 2 1/2 and gets into everything and my 6 yr old is so attached to me so I hate thinking of leaving them at all!

Since your son will still be so young, I would say go for it. I know it will be hard but I also just watched a segment on a Good Morning Show that says vacations for parents is SO important for keeping a loving relationship and your children will appreciate that!

Good luck in what you decide and have a great time if you go!
~N.~

I would take that opportunity, you will have the memories from that trip for a lifetime, or at least I know I would. It will be hard to be away for that long, but seize the day! No harm will be done.

Do you need help packing you bags? GO AND ENJOY! It is a long trip BUT these opportunities do NOT come along very often, esp all expenses paid. IF your inlaws can and will watch him, what an awesome opportunity for all of you. You and dh can have a great time bonding all over again and the grandparents get an awesome opportunity to bond with grandson. Just buy a lot of prepaid calling cards and phone home daily. We did this on our last out of country trip. It was fun.

You should go but only if you trust your inlaws IMPLICITLY. It seems you're having doubts as any mom would, it's normal. I would only do it if my own mother was caring for the child. This is my opinion.

I think you would enjoy the first three maybe four days and then you will be miserable... just my opionion as a mom of six... im always ready to get away but then im always ready to see my babies.... L.

You should go. It sounds like a great opportunity and will be good for your marriage and your well being. As long as you trust your inlaws, GO!!!

wow. that's a tough one. are you nursing? if you plan to nurse more than 7 months you probably shouldn't go because he'd be weaned before you get back, even if you pump. i guess money isn't everything. yeah, i guess if i wasn't nursing, i'd go. but i'm a nurser so i personally wouldn't. my husband would hate me for not going, though ;)

IF you don't go, DO plan a fun getaway somewhere for a few days with or without baby. Something my husband and I have done a couple of times is go to a luxury hotel near his parents. I can zip over to their house for an evening nursing then to the hotel for special relaxing baby free romantic time with my DH. We pick the kids up the next afternoon or evening. It has worked really well. Or plan baby's first camping trip. If not, you might find yourself having negative feelings creep up toward your precious little one for making you "miss out" on italy.

good luck. have fun either way!

GO! and don't think twice about it. I have grown children now and traveled all the time when they were small. (all the time meaning once a year my husband and I would take a 2nd honeymoon). Anyway, it is so much easier leaving when they are young. At that age they don't even no you are gone. Anyone is Mama. When they get older, there are so many activities that you will be involved in. It gets harder to leave but you still need to do it.If you have in-laws willing to take care of the baby, you need to take advantage and go and have a wonderful time. I was always so stressed before I left. Worried about everything. (still do) I even worry about leaving my dogs. But...once I get on that plane...I'm like what kids? what dogs? Your children will grow up and leave you. You need to keep your marriage in tact and enjoy life with your husband. Have a wonderful trip!
PS. Don't worry about something happening. Accidents can happen with you standing 10 feet away. Anyway, nothing is will go wrong.

Hey Ryan,
I am also going on a cruise. I am going for 7 days. I am going to go to Mexico,Cozmel and 5 other places. My husband and I are going in March and it's also our 6th anniversary. We have 3 children. My inlaws are going to come and stay at our home while we are gone. I have all girls. I have a 5 year old, 3 year old and 10 month old. I don't ever stay without seeing my children for so long.
I think that you should go on the cruise. You deserve it. Everyone needs to have some fun too. I think you should let your inlaws watch the baby.
I think every mom needs to relax sometimes and have spme fun. I hope that you have a good time on your crusie.
Have a good time! I hope this is helpful......
K.

When my daughter was that little I wouldn't have but now that my kids are older and I know how bad they drive me nuts :) I would so go back in time and do. I think it would be a great opportunity for you and your husband to get away from the real world for awhile and be with each other. Whenever you start missing him to much just give them a call so they can put your mind at ease. Remember your in-laws raised your husband and he turned out fine right? Have a great trip!

I would say go! I think it would be harder on you emotionally than our son. He will miss you and you will miss him, but things will be back to normal soon after you get back. Think of it as a chance to de-stress and be a better mommy to your son. My only suggestion would be to put a t-shirt (a very smelly, dirty one) in the crib that he will be sleeping in. That way your scent will be there to comfort him when you are gone. A friend of mine told me this is great for helping babies sleep no matter what!

If you are not nursing...GO!!! I am still nursing my 9 month old who will not take a bottle/sippy cup/or anything other than the breast. So, that being said, I had to take her with me on a trip to Los Angeles when she was 6 months old. It was fine with her...not a hard trip, but it would have been nice to have 3 nights alone with my DH and to sleep. Then three weeks ago I caught the flu, dead in bed sicker than sick flu. My brother and SIL drove in from out of town to take the kids, so I could die in peace. They had to return my 9 month old after she went 24 hours without drinking anything (I sent pumped/frozen breast milk). I was still so sick, but she needed to nurse. So, if you are blessed with a child who will take nourishment from other people and have a safe loving place for him to stay...GO!! PLEASE GO...go for me. Okay, I think I made my point. I understand missing your child, but Italy for free...*sigh*

Go! It will be good for you and your husband and also your in-laws will get a chance to bond with their grandchild. You all win!

Sounds like a fun trip, but it is a very long time. We went in Nov. to Mexico for a friends 30th b-day we left our two children a 2 year old and 9 month old with our inlaws for 3 nights. We did have a great time, but any longer than that I don't think we would have made it. My husband and I missed them so bad and every child we say we started talking about our babies. By the third night I was in tear everytime I saw a child. You really just have to decide on whether or not you can stand to be away from him for so long.

Personally I would not go unless I took my child with me.
Best Wishes.

Heck yea! GO and have the time of your life!

I would definitely go. It's easier to go now compared to going when he gets older...

Girlfriend!!!! It's a once in a lifetime thing. Run don't stop, get the passport and GO GO GO!!! You will have your child your whole life but a trip like this with your husband is a once in a life time thing. Think of all the memories you 2 will create together (even another kid) but it will be the two of you reconnecting as a couple. Babies are nice but they are not your whole life. You are first a woman, a wife, and then a mother. Get your priorities in order and go. If you don't and you are older you will think about it and regret not making the trip. I am still trying to get back to Europe to do Italy and Greece after spending 8 years over there. So go, go, go. go!!!

To put it in a nutshell...if you dont go ...I will!!! Where do I sign up!?! he will be 12 one day, 14 one day, etc, etc. Please dont miss out on it!!! Have fun and send us all, a "postcard"!!!
Margaret:)

I personally wouldn't at that age... but I have friends and family who left theirs sooner... my sister left her two week old infant with her MIL for a business trip WAY less nice than your trip sounds.
Why can't you take the baby? He would be safe in Italy... TAKE HIM!

E.

My husband and I went on a cruise when our oldest son was 7 months and it was the best thing for us. We were both exhausted and wanted some mommy/daddy time. We did miss our child terribly but we knew he was safe with Nana & Gigi. This sounds like an opportunity of a life-time so I would certainly do it. Remember, you can not have a vacation if you are worried that something will happen. He will be fine and your in-laws will be SO happy as well...

Hope you have fun!!!
M*