Holiday without the kids?

[Jamesgt]

Does anyone else here go abroad leaving the kids at home? Since having kids life has slowed down massively. I travelled a lot with work and my wife would join me often. Now I'm beginning to miss the sunshine and travel. My wife feels guilty, I feel less guilty. Both sets of grandparents would relish having the kids for a while.

Would a week or two away be selfish of me?

[Jamesgt]

Adenauer said:

Depends I think, how old are they?

One is a few weeks and the other is 18 months. Sounds terrible! We are looking at going at the end of the year. If they were older I'd take them with us.

[Jamesgt]

TotalControl said:

Quite the reverse. When they're older, you can leave them with relatives. Not at such a young age.

It's only been 18 months man! Do you have panic attacks if your car petrol gauge hits reserve?

It's been less than 18 months!! We had the oldest abroad with us for the first 6 months of her life so we've only had 12 months of being in the UK. It's my first full year back here in almost 10 years and I think the grim weather has got me down.

I guess it's a daft question to ask as some people frown upon it and others are all for it. I do think a week is a long time to leave the kids. I just wanted to see if I was being a bit wet for not wanting to leave them.

[Jamesgt]

hadenough! said:

Is have a 2 year old and a 1month old. I miss them if I don't seem them when I get home from work before bed. I cant comprehend why you would want to leave them for a week at that age.

I'm used to it I guess. When the oldest was 5 weeks old I had to go away for 2 weeks, then when she was 3 months old I went away for 6 weeks.

I do think it would break my heart if the oldest was waking every morning wondering where we may have gone.

At the moment I'm looking forward to the day they're old enough to enjoy a holiday.

[Jamesgt]

wack said:

I take it you didn't want kids then

I couldn't imagine leaving a baby at home while I went away on my jollies, let alone my wife.

it sounds like you're talking about dogs not kids

Stupid post. The kids were needed. Who else is going to wipe my ass when I get old?! The dog could lick it I guess but I never know where his tongue has been. 😉

[Jamesgt]

Vaud said:

Different at 4/5/6/7 etc.

But aren't talking about "kids". We are talking about a few week old baby and a toddler that have a VERY high dependency on parents...

Good point but I don't think kids will be the same age at the end of the year.

I think a lot depends on the grandparents too. My parents are level headed and very sensible with the kids. My in-laws are not so sensible but they're a riot and my oldest always goes mad for them. They have infinitely more energy than we do. Both sets have suggested staying at our house so the kids can carry on with their routines (play groups etc). I think both GPs are secretly dying for us to go on holiday so they can have the kids.

This thread has made me re-think. I do think when they get slightly older I will never holiday without them but at such a young age I see it pointless taking them.

[Jamesgt]

DoubleSix said:

Sounds like you haven't taken on board what's is being said tbh

It depends on which posts you refer to. I don't listen to everyone as not everyone gives good advice. The way I feel now I wouldn't go. I have to leave them because I work away a lot. To take their mum off them is what makes me re-think.

[Jamesgt]

schmunk said:

OP, how long before you tell us that you really don't have children, but you've just bought a Ferrari?

? Isn't a Ferrari a bit council?

[Jamesgt]

HTP99 said:

I can guarantee aswell that if you do end up going, the wife wont relax.

I agree. This has been discussed.

[Jamesgt]

Vaud said:

Long haul I agree.

Short haul it can be OK.

And a holiday brings new adventures. Especially if they can walk. My daughter took her first steps on holiday last year, nice big garden and a pool for her to swim in every day and she loved it, and we were all pretty relaxed as well.

Holiday with other parents - it spreads the load and the kids can play together. 1 adult can watch 2-3 young kids so the others can get a break. Nice to give mum a break as well!

This all sounds nice. How did you find flying with little ones?

[Jamesgt]

three five five said:

From a grand parents point of view...

we are having our 18 month old grandson for four nights whilst Mum and Dad go snowboarding in a couple of weeks. We love it. Hes had a couple of night on the trot a while a
go when they had a weekend away. He stags here one night a week anyway so even at his young age its not unusual.

We had the odd night out when ours were growing up and they stayed with either of our parents too. I think our first holiday without them was when the were 13 and 16 resp.

Thank you for posting from a grand parents point of view.

[Jamesgt]

vladcjelli said:

'Oh, can you remember the time when we went to....?'

'Wait, that's right we didn't take you'

'Of course we still love you...'

I think that would apply to most of the other posters on this thread who leave their kids when they're older than a year or two.

Also Id be one of the children who were left behind when I was about 8 years old for a week-ish. I was interested to hear about my parents holiday. I wasn't upset or thought they didn't loved me. I had a great time with my uncle and auntie.

Edited by Jamesgt on Friday 23 January 23:43