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!

I'm actually booking up for me and dh for next year, and will be leaving our 3 children (9,7&4) with mil. We've taken them on lots of holidays, and it's so stressful, and to be honest a waste of money. We took them to disneyland paris in may and eldest did nothing but moan so have decided not to take them abroad for the foreseeable future! I still want some sun though so going without them! They are not bothered in the slightest!

@Parttimewasteoftime yeah he'll be staying with grandparents for a couple of nights later this year when we go to a wedding down south 👍🏻

Leave him with grandparents.

I would maybe leave him with them for 2 nights before , just so he can get use to being away from mummy and daddy for a little longer

Absolutely, go for it! If you have stable, reliable childcare there’s no reason not to and it’s great for everyone.

Will he be hurt

We're going away next week without the kids. They've asked why they're not coming but they get told that sometimes adults do things just for adults. They'll be with their grandparents and get spoiled rotten. It's all fine.

Don't tie yourself up in knots over a long weekend. Enjoy! They come around rarely.

For a long weekend? Do it!

I personally wouldn't for a 2 week beach holiday but know others that do.

Absolutely do it . We did it a few times when our boys , now 18 were that age . My DH died a couple of years ago . We won't ever get post kids time together so I'm glad we spent those times together whilst in the midst of toddlerdom.

Sounds like you should do it. Personally I wouldn't as I'm a single parent with limited income and DC who love to travel/sightsee so I'd feel horrendously guilty depriving them of a holiday whilst enjoying one myself but this certainly doesn't like it's the case for you. DC will have a ball being spoiled by grandparents too.

It sounds great. Nurturing your marriage is important. Happy, relaxed parents make for happy, relaxed and well balanced children.

Since our 30th we have always said we'd have the holiday of a lifetime when we both turn 40 (next year, a few months apart!) We were thinking10 days in the Maldives..... kids would be 7 and 5 and granny's is their second home so I'd have no worries leaving them and my wonderful in-laws would be happy to have them, no problem.

Except we had another baby. Who would only be 2??? I just couldn't leave her. So we've booked a family holiday at some ghastly AI hotel in Turkey. I mean the hotel is fine its just going to be ghastly with the kids

We went to the Maldives for my 40th - for about 12 days. I missed the DC but it did us the world of good. They're now in their 20s, and don't seem to have been harmed by our neglect - although they do often come on holiday with us, so maybe........

Go and enjoy.

We used to leave a small gift for the DC to open at bedtime each night - a colouring book/pencils type of thing. If you talk to them about us going away now, all they can remember is the excitement of bedtime and opening their presents!

I'm going abroad for 3 nights next month with just my sister, DC will be at their dad's. Have had 2 separate weeks abroad with DC, next month is my treat to myself!

DH and I have just had a few days in Berlin. DDs (6&8) loved seeing the photos and telling us what fun they had with Grandparents and their cousin.

God yes, do it! We've done it several times. It's amazing!! Maybe do a sleepover a couple of times with whoever will look after him prior to your trip - so he's used to being there without you.

Totally I took exh to New York for his 40th and left DS happily getting spoilt by the gps.
He didn't even get me a cake. No wonder he is an ex!

@Aroundtheworldin80moves ooh Berlin is one of the places I was thinking of!

@Pieceofpurplesky I would love to do NY but just out of budget right now! Maybe for our wedding anniversary in a few years! 😆

If he’s happy with his gp and they are to do it then yes