Anyone else feel guilty about leaving the kids??

[malacajo]

We have decided to take the plunge for Sept 2014--Booking FOS Eastern. Celebrating 19th anniversary and leaving kids for the FIRST time ever. We are so excited but feel SO guilty.....Any advice on "adult" things to do? We have two teens and won't know what to do w/out them......Sighing......:)

[frankdp]

First and foremost,,,,no guilt allowed onboard cruise ships....

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Somewhat related, we are taking our first cruise since our daughter was born. (Well, she has been on 1 when she wasn't born yet.) We are testing the waters with a 3 night bahamas, so excited but also a bit nervous. We are going to use the ATT plan to be available to grandma and grandpa in case they need anything.

[spm422]

Enojy the adult only spaces on the ship - pool, bars and casino

 

Maybe select shore excursions that you and your spouse would enjoy but your kids may turn their noses up to :)

 

Specialty restaurants are nice. I have even toured the kitchen (the kids were with us but I went by myself) - I loved it!!

 

have fun!

[LetsGetWet!]

We have decided to take the plunge for Sept 2014--Booking FOS Eastern. Celebrating 19th anniversary and leaving kids for the FIRST time ever. We are so excited but feel SO guilty.....Any advice on "adult" things to do? We have two teens and won't know what to do w/out them......Sighing......:)

I'll not be one of the ones to jump up and tell ANYONE on a forum how to parent - but unless you waited more than 15 years after you got married to have kids, all I can say is... Wow! :eek: Enjoy your cruise - adult things to do - go out dancing together, get a glass of wine or champagne and enjoy the stars and the ocean somewhere by yourselves, reserve a window table for 2 at one of the restaurants and have a romantic dinner, go back to your room together some afternoon for a "nap." ;)

[reedl]

Somewhat related, we are taking our first cruise since our daughter was born. (Well, she has been on 1 when she wasn't born yet.) We are testing the waters with a 3 night bahamas, so excited but also a bit nervous. We are going to use the ATT plan to be available to grandma and grandpa in case they need anything.

 

Have your parents text you if they need to get a hold of you. They can contact you for free on AT&T via text message. When you receive a text, you can either respond with a text message for 50 cents, or call them for $1 a minute with the $30 AT&T plan.

 

Do not forget to turn of cellular data while on the ship. That can get very expensive!

[reedl]

We have decided to take the plunge for Sept 2014--Booking FOS Eastern. Celebrating 19th anniversary and leaving kids for the FIRST time ever. We are so excited but feel SO guilty.....Any advice on "adult" things to do? We have two teens and won't know what to do w/out them......Sighing......:)

 

My wife and I try to get a vacation away from the kids once a year. It keeps things more "fresh" in our own lives.

 

As long as you trust the caregivers you are leaving you kids with, everything will be fine. And I would venture to guess that the kids might enjoy being away from you anyways. :) I know my kids always enjoyed being away from Mom and Dad and having new things to do.

Edited February 18, 2014 by reedl

[Camlott]

Maybe we are bad parents... We have never felt the slightest bit of guilt for leaving our kids to take a much needed vacation for my wife and I to reconnect. We miss our kids, but NEVER feel guilty. Spending time away alone with your spouse sets a good example for your kids about marriage IMO.

 

Our girls enjoy when my wife and I go on trips because it means that they get spoiled even more by their grandparents and we usually bring them back something they will like each time we go. We usually do 2-3 adult only weekend trips each year and one extended trip for our anniversary.

 

Go and enjoy spending time with each other!

[Cruzn Fool]

We've done it a few times and we usually feel a little guilty prior to the trip and maybe the first few minute of it. But it goes away pretty quickly once you are on board and spending valuable time together.

 

Maybe it was easier for us because we usually left DS with Grandma and knew that she would be spoiling him. He also enjoyed that time wth her and still talks with her about the "adventures" they had during those times. So, in the end, it was better off for everyone that he didn't always get to go on trips with us.

 

We also did this during the school year so his days would go by much faster than if he was out of school.

 

Defiately enjoy the well earned time together and do some things you would not normally do with children like dancing, maybe the casino if that is your thing, specialty restaurants and listening to live music while having a cocktail....or two.....or three....:D Even just spending time relaxing in chair after dinner while watching the ocean (outside on deck or inside next to a window in one of the venues) can create some special memories that will last you a lifetime.

 

Enjoy and have a great trip.

[MOSusan]

We have decided to take the plunge for Sept 2014--Booking FOS Eastern. Celebrating 19th anniversary and leaving kids for the FIRST time ever. We are so excited but feel SO guilty.....Any advice on "adult" things to do? We have two teens and won't know what to do w/out them......Sighing......:)

 

You'll know what to do without them...:D:D

 

Mine were 9 & 11 when hubby and I took a Med cruise without them. I missed them, but I believe every marriage needs "couples" time. Mine are teenagers now and while I will miss them when they go off to college, I am looking foward to traveling more with my Sweetie!

 

And without kids, your cabin is now Clothing Optional! ;)

[Teacherloves2Cruise]

Have your parents text you if they need to get a hold of you. They can contact you for free on AT&T via text message. When you receive a text, you can either respond with a text message for 50 cents, or call them for $1 a minute with the $30 AT&T plan.

 

Do not forget to turn of cellular data while on the ship. That can get very expensive!

 

Thanks for the tips! I think we will get the plan for $30- gives me 50 included messages, overages at $1 per minute. I LOVE that incoming texts are free and outgoing are only .50 or 1.30 for a pic/vid.

[DrD]

Let me think about it .. NO!

 

I'm sure you've sacrificed enough for your kids to deserve an adult-only vacation.

 

Also your kids may want a vacation from you!

[cb at sea]

I never felt guilty about leaving my kids, either! It's GOOD to get away! Kids need to learn they aren't the "be all and end all" of everyone's life! It's healthy for them, and for you! They know you love them...after all, you provide for them! But, YOU must take care of yourselves first, so go and enjoy! This will be something for them to look forward to as they become adults...doing something for themselves!

[hansolosmom]

I'm with you. I feel guilty when I leave them.

 

I know they're having a great time with grandma since she feeds them pizza, mcdonalds etc every night. But I do feel guilty. It doesn't stop me from leaving them, but I feel bad. On the other hand I don't let those feeling stop me from having a good time.

 

We are taking our second cruise this April without the kids. I'm already planning a surprise for dh & setting up the chefs table. We don't gamble so we aren't doing the casino. But we will spend lots of time in the solarium (adult pool). We both are getting the alcohol package, I don't usually drink when we are with the boys, so I'm kind of excited to try all the exotic drinks. Then for Nassau we're going to the rum factory/distillery as our excursion. Trust me you will find fun things to do, even if it's just relaxing in a chair without having anyone say "mom, I need ....."

[trev71]

No way more parents used to cruise and leave us at home. I always wished i could cruise then I grew up and became a big boy and pay and go on my own cruises. i went on my first cruise at 27, I really wish i went earlier in life :D

 

 

also, I am sure my parents didnt feel to guilty leaving my sister and I home lol

[TC1957]

This one is easy...NOPE!!!!

[Big_G]

Never felt guilty. They went on at least five cruises with us before we sailed alone. Not a bad childhood compared to their parents whose first cruise was their first cruise.

[Mom.to.2]

If we had the opportunity to leave our kids home for a couples only vacay, I would NOT feel guilty. Unfortunately, Grandma refuses to take the kids overnight (she feels too old, worried she can't handle it.) My youngest is 7 so that means only 11 more years until DH and I can have a night away together :eek:

[mom says]

The only time I felt guilty for going on vacation without the kids was when DH took me to WDW as s gift after finishing graduate school. The guilt lasted until I had that first glass of wine on the plane.:D

 

And if you have to ask for ideas of what to do with your spouse, then you REALLY need this time away to reconnect. Lots of good ideas here, but mostly just relax and enjoy being together as a couple and not a group that you constantly have to supervise.

[CharlieBoston]

The wife and I are going on a cruise next month to celebrate our 4th anniversary. We're leaving our two little ones (~2 and ~3 years old) with the in-laws. We just booked last week, so we're in frantic "get ready" mode, but I'm feeling the guilt creeping in the background. I predict tears from my wife (and probably me, too) as we're leaving, especially if one or both of them start crying.

 

We'll miss them everyday as we're having a blast, I'm sure.

[Onessa]

To the OP, no need to feel guilty about taking a vacation without your kids. But, to some of the other posters, there is no reason to minimize the OP's concerns and/or to make it sound like anyone "has to" vacation without their kids.

 

DH and I have been together for 29 years, married 20 years, our DD is 18YO. We've never taken a trip w/o our DD. She will be heading out of state to college this fall.

 

It is amazing how quickly the time has gone by and I do not regret even one second of time that we have spent together as a family!

 

So I can understand your retisence and your concerns, but you need to do what is right for you, your family and your relationship.

[Onessa]

If we had the opportunity to leave our kids home for a couples only vacay, I would NOT feel guilty. Unfortunately, Grandma refuses to take the kids overnight (she feels too old, worried she can't handle it.) My youngest is 7 so that means only 11 more years until DH and I can have a night away together :eek:

DD's best friend (16YO) is coming over Thursday night and staying with us for 12 days while her parents are on a cruise. We've taken her on for a week or so for the past three years since her grandmother passed away. So there may be hope for you yet!

 

Grandma may be willing to take on one of the older ones at a time -- it is a great opportunity for them to bond one-to-one. My parents passed away when DD was 8YO -- but she has some great memories of some of the overnight adventures they had when she was young!

[Travel R]

A few years ago, my DW and I took a cruise without our children. We were seated at a table with three other couples -- all of which had also left their kids at home.

 

The topic of discussion amongst the women at the table each night? - Their children.

 

It's okay to feel guilty. But every now and then you need to get away with your mate.

[Lost_in_BC]

Ooooh get that texting package, it sounds perfect! We took a cruise without the kids last November on Freedom. It was our second cruise & the first without the kids & it was wonderfull! Of course we missed them, but it was such fun being just the two of us again!

 

I suggest you go dancing as often as possible & make sure to hit the silent disco. It was wild fun. ;) Book romantic excursions, the type you'd never consider with kids (we visited Nachi Cocum, which was so peaceful) or adventures off the beaten track. We also chose to renew our vows on board. Just the two of us, with our own vows up in the chapel. No muss, no fuss & no cost. It was lovely. <3

 

Oh & go play 'windy balls' it was mad fun acting like goofy teenagers again while attempting the windiest game of pitch & putt ever.

 

Have a great cruise!!

[LuvWilliam]

Have your parents text you if they need to get a hold of you. They can contact you for free on AT&T via text message. When you receive a text, you can either respond with a text message for 50 cents, or call them for $1 a minute with the $30 AT&T plan.

 

Do not forget to turn of cellular data while on the ship. That can get very expensive!

 

Can you tell me what plan this is? We will be leaving our two year old for 6 nights and would love to be able to text for only 50 cents a text! Does it work in the waters or only in port?