Do you think that couples should take vacations away from their children?
Me and my husband have been taking little trips away from the kids since they were born. When our eldest daughter turned two, we sent our eldest three children to my brothers house in WA for 2 weeks. My kids are extremely close to my brother, sil and their children. We went to the Bahamas in 2007, in 2008 an Alaskan Cruise, in 2009 to Montana, and 2010 to Chicago. This year were going to Yosemite National Park. We always bring back my youngest nephew and my niece to stay with us for 2 weeks. This is the time my brother & his wife usually take their vacation away from their kids. I think it’s fair, and the kids get to spend a lot of time with their cousins.
My husband and I truly enjoy the time we spend away from our children. Our vacations let us relax and have a lot of quality couple time. The kids are always busy with day camps, special trips with my brother & sil, fishing, camping etc. When my nephew & niece come here, they get to spend a lot of time at the beach, swimming, riding horses, going to art camp, the Zoo, Busch Gardens etc. I know they love spending time with me and my husband. We have a special bond with our nephew and niece. There are many other personal reasons that we take vacations away from the kids, but they are to many to write about.
Do you think that couples should take vacations away form their children? Please be polite, thank you.
Cloud Wanderer, We do take our kids on vacations with us. As a family we’ve been to the N.Y, South Carolina, Disneyland (Florida), Rocky Mountains (Skiing). I’m talking about parents having a vacation WITHOUT their children. And I disagree, it’s NOT selfish it’s marriage preservation.
I think it is alright as long as you take them on a two week vacation as a family some other time during the year.
Yes, I believe it’s absolutely essential once in a while, as long as the children can be left with an appropriate caregiver. We live in a society where the roles of parenting are often leased out to others, and this is not a problem if the caregivers are capable and qualified. Some activities are dangerous for kids, you wouldn’t take a three year old white water rafting or orienteering, and a baby in camp is not a very practical proposition. I think people often put their marriage on the back burner when kids come along, much to its detriment; we don’t have kids yet, we’re planning on having them when I graduate med school- but we want to do a bit of world traveling first, then we’ll “settle” until the kids are old enough to fly and join us.
There’s no need to feel any doubt or guilt, in any society, human or animal, couples need time off together, when the “pack” comes in to care for the young.
I think this is ok when your children are small but as they get older I feel its wrong if your not taking them along to see this beautiful world we live in. My parents took me to Yosemite when I was small and just being there instilled my love of nature that I carry to this day. In fact I am going back to Yosemite in three weeks myself. Weekend trips alone are fine but two weeks is not a small vacation and personally I think your being selfish if you keep doing this as your children get older.
** Thank you, the way you worded your question I thought you never took the kids on long trips.
* Gigi, gee sorry mom, I didn’t know I was still in school. If I’m being judgmental than what are you doing?
I think it’s fine. The kids are getting a vacation away from you, too! Just make sure you take them to do fun stuff.
@ Cloud Wanderer: I think it’s wrong when people use “your” when they should be using “you’re”. Doesn’t feel so great being judged, does it?
Yep, my OH and I usually have at 2x 3 night trisp away from our 2 aged 3 & 8, with the same token, we also go on 1x 5 day & 1x 7 day family holiday per year. You need time to be lovers as well as parents!!