Ever feel guilty without the kids? About This Page:

[Nova]

Well we went to Disney without our Grandkids and even though we enjoyed time alone it was just not as fun. Having the kids there really makes the trip for us. The thoughts of going without kids makes my heart ache. We are taking 2 of them on the April trip, then June go with Son and Family with 5 kids, last year we had trips with our other 2 kids and families. We have taken our 1 Granddaughter twice before with us and it was just wonderful. If you could have some alone time yet take him along would that work? They have good sitter service where they will take them to the parks and everything that way he could be there yet you will have time to yourselves. It is a thought. I know I have thought about a trip for our 40th anniversary but just dont think I can do it without kids.

[QueenMommy]

DH and I went 12 years ago and left my dds (then 3 &1) with my parents in GA. They didn't really understand WDW then so just the fact that I was gone for 8 days was tough. I called every day and they had a blast and didn't really seem to miss us. DH and I had a much need honeymoon.

We are leaving again in 4 days. This will be a much shorter trip (3 days) and the kids are older and understand what WDW is now. I won't have as difficult of a time seperating cause they are 15, 12.5, 10 and 8.5 and cause I need a recharge break! They are all good about us going. My DH travels all week and they miss him and know I miss him too so they understand that Mommy and Daddy need some alone time. They also know that all of us are going in September so they get a long weekend with Grammy and Grampy now and 8 days in WDW then.

I agree with Danielle. You need to make time for you and DH and your son needs to understand that while he is your heart you and DH are also important. All you have to do is look at the divorce rate in this country to realize how important it is to stay connected to your spouse as man / woman and not just mom / dad.

Good Luck and have fun!

[Cats'N'Dogs]

I am a single parent and have done several trips to WDW either alone or with friends in the past few years. My DD (11) is okay with my trips, as long as I bring back a surprise. She understands I need time away to decompress. I've had to leave her with my parents when I attend conferences so she's been left for 2-3 days since she was 2.

DD gets to go to my sister's for a week in the summer and they have a blast so she gets her "me" time too.

I feel a bit guilty as I will be going in 5 days for the Flower and Garden Fest with my sister in law. It happens to fall over my birthday so I feel bad about not being home.

We just plan a big trip together in Oct when we go for the Food and Wine Fest. Lots of character meals and special stuff for our mother-daughter trips.

[mommababs]

I have never taken a vacation without my kids cuz I feel guilty, but I say go for it!! If I could I would do it........

[scrappyjae]

As another single parent, you have to take some time to "decompress" if you can. Do you feel guilty, yeah, but kids also need to learn that they can't always go. I had a friend who took her son everywhere, and when she ended up getting divorced and started dating and leaving him at home, it was not pretty. I make sure I take my kids places, but sometimes, it's just mommy that goes. And they understand.

[Wendyismyname]

Did I feel guilty for going on a vacation without the kids the first time? Yes. Did I feel guilty for going to WDW without them? Yes. Did it stop me? Nope! LOL!

I am going without my DH or kids in just under 2 weeks. My DH and I are going in July for his b-day without the kids and I am going again in August without DH and the kids.
I always feel a bit sad when I give them hugs and kisses but I quickly get over it because I know it isn't the end of the world for any of us. But it sure took me a LONG time to get to that way of thinking, let me tell you!

[goofysdtr]

You know, I thought I would. But I didn't. There were times I wished they were there, but my DH & I had a fabulous time that I wouldn't trade for anything!

[TinkMulanMickeysMom]

DH and I went to WDW for our 19th anniversary last year, and it was the first time we had taken a trip without the kids (14, 10, 8). We only went for 3 nights and boy did we feel guilty - BUT we had an amazing time! It was fabulous! And I would definitely do it again!

Will you feel guilty? Yes. Should you go anyway? ABSOLUTELY.

[emmalovesdisney]

DH and me have been to WDW several times when it was just the two of us and we loved acting like big kids. Last year we went for the first time without our DD (3 at the time) and had a great time.

I agree with what most people are saying, you need to have some time together to take care of you marriage. Sure, it was hard leaving our DD (to make matters harder we are from the UK so it really is a long way away!!) but i believe she was too young to remember WDW and we had such a lovely time just the two of us.

We had such a lovely time we are going back in October!!!

GO FOR IT - IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE TWO OF YOU TO HAVE TIME TOGETHER

[JoanW]

We went to Europe without them. Fab.u.lous. Totally missed them, they missed us, but we loved every minute of our adult time.

Five years later, I went on an all girls trip to Mousefest. Freakin Fab.u.lous. Can't wait to do it again. DH didn't like it so much but OMG it was so much fun, not waiting for kids or DH to get going, no whining over rides, and when you were tired, you just went back to the resort and napped. Well, I didn't, but others did!

[zvarnes]

I did feel guilty going without the kids, however it was well worth it and they understood the circumstances. Each circumstance is different. We where going on my honeymoon and when we spoke to the kids about it they understood. We are going to be taking them next year. I'm hopeful that they will see that Disney is a place they can go with and without kids. After going without kids I think that those who have't done that should, if they are able to do so.

[knzyzach]

We went to WDW for our honeymoon without the kids.

I was so sad and everytime i saw things my DD would like I was almost in tears. If you think your kids might like it and you are not planning to take them back there anytime soon, then I would say... pick another place to go for your anniversary or.. take the kids

[Happymommy]

Nope--- I do not feel guilty for going without the kids. DH and I have gone to WDW twice without the kids, and had a TERRIFIC time!!!!! The kids were staying at grandparents house, and pretty excited about that. They had their own trip coming up in a few months--- and they really didn't care either. Although, my youngest was 2 the last time we did that. Now he's Disney Crazed (my oldest was never like that)---constantly asking -- "how many days until our next Disney trip?" I think now, we'd just have to say we were going to "Florida," because I think my 6 year old would get really upset, but my 8 year old wouldn't care at all.

[disneyfreaks]

The first time we left the kids home was last year. They were 9 years old. I felt really guilty and a little sad that they weren't there with me. ..but honestly..We had a FABUMOUSE time and it was very relaxing. I think as parents, you need a break from being a MOM..and need time to just be yourself. I know my SO feels the same.

Needless to say, were going again this year without the kids. Yes I know..who could've seen this coming. It's great to reconnect with each other. You see so many different things, that you may not catch with your children.

Try it--you might like it!

[ANGSWIN]

That last 2 times that my DH and I went to Disney, we did not take our DD. However, I really felt that it would not be right if I didn't take our DD somewhere special first. Therefore since we took our "grown up" trips in June, we took a special "family" trip first in April during the spring break. The first time we actually took my DD and my niece to WDW first and then we went back ourselves two months later. This year we took them to the other Orlando resorts (Universal, IOA, SeaWorld, Aquatica, and BG Tampa Bay) before we went back to WDW by ourselves. We also made sure to bring her back something special that she requested. It worked out really well.

All we really did was split a 10 day vacation into 2 separate vacations. That way everyone got what they wanted and were happy. I didn't feel guilty that way.