Would you holiday without DC?

[Ginger1982]

DH is 40 next year. DS will have just turned 3.

I'd like to take DH on a city break as a gift and I've got a few places in mind but they're the kind of places that you'd want to maximise your sightseeing for the few days you'd be there. On our own DH and I would do this but if we take DS then our trip will be curtailed by his moods, naps (if he still has any) and bedtime. We went on a beach holiday with him earlier this year and I found it quite stressful!

So I'm thinking we should just go on our own. But is this selfish? Should DS be included? Will he be hurt in later years wondering why we didn't take him?

Not sure what to do!

Who will be stay with? How long are you going for?

It's the norm amongst all the parents I know. Most take several short breaks a year sans kids, normally with friends so one parent at home, but occasionally as a couple with kids at grandparents. I personally haven't as I'm a lone parent but I would jump at the chance if possible.

Me and dh go away at least twice a year without dc. 3 nights at most.
No lasting damage to anyone!!
Remember as well as nurturing a dc you have a marriage to take care of.
Imo....

Of course it’s fine! Not only fine but good for your marriage.
We go away alone every year. Then we the kids too.

@MonChatEstMagnifique he would stay with grandparents that he's stayed overnight with before and 3/4 nights maximum.

Do it. In the blink of an eye your DS will be a teenager doing his own thing .... you don’t want to be looking at your DH thinking “who is this man” .... very important to do things as a couple when kids are growing up, if you’re lucky enough to have childcare.

Yes we have a few times. We can afford to holiday by ourselves and with the kids so they don't lose out, and they stay with my mum who I trust more than I do myself! They love staying with her. I think it's really important to get time with your partner alone and I feel very lucky we are able to. Plus the kind of holidays we like to do aren't the kind they are old enough to really enjoy. I don't want to put our relationship on hold until they have left the house, and travelling is quite important to us.

If he will be settled with his grandparents then you should go and enjoy a trip away. It's only for a few days.

We've never done it but if I'm lucky enough to have grandchildren in the future, I will definitely encourage my kids to have a break and leave their children with me.

Thanks everyone. I think I will book something. The added cost of taking DS would also push me a bit. It would just be a one off as we do tend to pick holidays based around DS.

I'm taking my husband away for this birthday next month. 3 nights- have a 6 month old and 5 year old. They'll be perfectly fine with their grandparents. Definitely need some couple time

Do it. An important way for you two to connect without him there and he’ll have blast being spoiled by grandparents. I, and DD2, always feel a bit odd the first night but it’s fine after that. We go a couple of times a year and I think it’s vital for our marriage!

Do it! I've left my two with their grandparents for a city break and it's been a win win situation all round - we've enjoyed just being a couple for a weekend and the kids have been completely spoiled and had a ball with family.

Go for it. He will spend quality time with grandparents. And as parents, you get some proper adult me time.

We did, though dc were older. If relatives are willing go for it

He's three (or will be then). In later years he won't even remember you went.

Sell it to him as now he's a big boy of three he's going on holiday to stay with grandparents on his own.

I think it's fine for 3/4 nights as long as you can afford a family holiday too

Yes. Go. You need couple time.

I first left DS aged a few months for a weekend away. All was well.

Have fun.

Yes do it! My husband and I went away to Paris in March of this year, for three nights, we left DD with my mom. It was fabulous. I’ve only ever been to Paris with Dd in tow so it was lovely xx

Me and my DP go away on city breaks twice a year without the kids. It's important to spend time together

Go for it!
We go away several times a year by ourselves.
Dd stays with my sister's or Inlaws.
Dd stays one night every week with Inlaws,has done since she was born.

Too fucking right I would!

Absolutely!

We have a group of people we really trust to look after our children. If one of them can care for them during the duration then yep I'd go.

I wouldn't feel guilty, I'd miss them but it's not like you aren't going back.

Holidays without the children are a great time for you both to reconnect.

Do it I planning to do the same for my DH 40th. Maybe leave him with GP for two nights as a trial run so it's not the first time he's been left for more than one night?

I wish! Unfortunately we have nobody to have them.

I didn't take my daughter on holiday until she was over 2 years old. Luckily my mom wanted to have her so we got some breaks.
Once I went to Marrakesh when she was 3 months old and when I got back I took a photo of her in a fez hat and a little gown and told her she had come along. I kept that joke going for a while.
My daughter is now 17 and finds this quite funny, but understands that I wanted a holiday not a change of scenery.
Do it, go and enjoy yourselves