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Original poster

Five days away all expenses paid - but no kids - would you ???

67 replies

Kayleigh · 15/09/2004 13:56

There is a chance that I will be included in the companys annual convention. This is usually for salespeople who have reached their targets and department heads. There is the occasional exception made and I have been told I am in with a chance. If so it means an all expenses paid 5 day trip to Mexico for myself & dh to stay in a 5* spa resort. The only catch is - no kids.

We have never both been away from the kids before - not even for a night. We have had the odd night away on our own but never together.
We would love to go - it seems to good an opportunity to miss. But I am really torn.

I know the boys won't want us to go (they are 6 and 3). My mum would look after them at my house, although for the most part their routine would be the same as during the three weekdays they are with the childminder or at school. It is just the mornings,evenings and weekend that would be different.

What would you do ? Have you been away without your kids for this length of time ?

OP posts:
frogs · 15/09/2004 14:56

Sorry, Kayleigh, I thought I was misreading the bit about 'only catch is -- no kids'.

Call me an evil cow, but in my book 'no kids' does not constitute a downside to 'all expenses-paid trip to 5* spa resort in Mexico'. We've been away several times leaving various combinations of children being looked after at home by visiting grandparents. The kids get spoiled rotten and have a fab time, the gparents get to indulge the kids and have a great time, and you get lots of quality time together in a luxury spa resort for free. Show me the downside?!

Seriously, dh and I went to Mali for two weeks 18 months ago (his work, ie. culture rather than luxury, but that's us all over ) and it was brilliant. The kids were glad to see the back of us, I think, knowing they'd be allowed to eat coco pops for breakfast each day, have endless stories read to them and generally be indulged.

I wouldn't bill it to them as you going on holiday, though -- something along the lines of, "Isn't it a shame, Mummy and Daddy have to go away for a few days, while you get to see Grandma and have a fantastic time" should do the trick.

Enjoy!

aloha · 15/09/2004 15:11

Ooh, go! I wish my mum could look after ds for longer than one night. Very envious!

twogorgeousboys · 15/09/2004 15:50

Kayleigh, definitely go if you can. It sounds fab.

Me and dh had a week in New York two years ago (before ds 2 was born) and my Aunt looked after ds1.

It was fantastic to have some "us" time as we don't have any family/friends close by to babysit (my Aunt lives 200 miles away but bless her, came to stay).

Go, go, go.

Tartegnin · 15/09/2004 16:08

agree with everyone that you should GO
also agree with advice on "tell, don't ask" the kids - also, just tell them without apologies or justifications or feeling bad or promises of presents - just make it a matter of fact. Also, I suggest you tell them not more than a week before you have to go, so it doesn't become an issue over time.

When I have to travel for more than a couple of days on business, I put up a calendar on the wall of the whole month, and then draw squares around the days I'll be away (in the vastness of a whole month, five days doesn't look so bad), and my daughter puts an "x" on each day, so then she can see how soon I'll be back. You can also send a postcard to them on the day you leave (mail it from the airport) so it arrives a day or two after you've gone, call each day at a specific time, and also let grandparents know that treats are ok every day (for example, my daughter thinks that having ginger ale with dinner is better than being on holiday!) With their regular routine, the time will fly.

Have a great time.

scaltygirl · 15/09/2004 16:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Kayleigh · 15/09/2004 18:00

thanks so much. feel so much better - not one negative response. quite like the idea of getting them used to us being away by just going for a night or two first. must plan a weekend away with dh !

will also make sure we tell them rather than "ask"

now i'll be devastated if I can't go

OP posts:
Angeliz · 15/09/2004 19:28

The longest i've been away was for 2 days but GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'd be MAD not to and they'll be FINE with your mam, spoilt rotten!!!

CountessDracula · 15/09/2004 19:51

GO GO GO YOU MUST GO!!

lou33 · 15/09/2004 19:51

OMG YES!!!!!

SoupDragon · 15/09/2004 19:58

Absolutely.

ladywallopofcod · 15/09/2004 19:59

oh bnormally i say no but your boys are HUGE!
mine are hte same ages and I would if it wastn for ds3

WideWebWitch · 15/09/2004 20:33

God yes, go kayleigh! Haven't read thread but bet everyone said the same!

WideWebWitch · 15/09/2004 20:34

ah, they did. Lol at frogs 'downside, wot downside?' comment!

Tessiebear · 15/09/2004 20:41

I hav'nt read the other posts so dont know if i am duplicating what anyone else has said but i am afraid i wouldnt go (my boys are 6 & 3 as well)
I just wouldnt want to be such a great distance away from them if anything "happened" IYKWIM
Also i would miss them TERRIBLY. But thats just me - i know i wouldnt enjoy a second of the holiday for thinking about them

Easy · 15/09/2004 20:42

just read the title to this thread

YES, YES OOOOOOOOH YES !!

Tessiebear · 15/09/2004 20:44

Just read all the other posts and realised what a killjoy i have been - sorry!!! Ignore me i am just a very oversensitive spineless pre-menstrural woman!

Easy · 15/09/2004 20:46

Kayleigh

As long as you can leave the kids with someone who knows and loves them, then please go. You have worked hard and deserve the reward, and you and the children will probably benefit from a break from each other too.

DH and I went for a long weekend (5 days really) in Barcelona for dh's 40th when ds was 3. he stayed with my sister for the holiday, and loved it. we have had a couple of weekends without him since. It's great.

Ghosty · 15/09/2004 20:53

ooooohhhhh kayleigh .... !!!!

Go Go Go!!!

I am such a terrible mother that I would accept and book it BEFORE even thinking about the childcare aspect!!

Not right now, mind you, as I am still b/fing but if my youngest was 3 ...... sigh ....

motherinferior · 15/09/2004 20:54

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

marthamoo · 15/09/2004 20:55

Go.

Crystaltips · 15/09/2004 20:57

Absa - bloomin -lootley !!

Tommy · 15/09/2004 21:23

Course!

froot · 15/09/2004 21:29

message withdrawn

handlemecarefully · 16/09/2004 08:18

Well I am going to Rome for 5 days on a similar all expenses paid 5 star work junket (my dh's work, not mine)with my dh on Saturday, and I am leaving 5 month old ds and 2 year old dd with grandma

My heart really doesn't want to let me go, but I am going for the following reasons:

*refused to go to Bermuda last year and on a cruise before that (all work paid trips)because I didn't want to leave dd. Dh says I am always prioritising the children and I make him feel unimportant and marginal, so I am going on this trip for him
*I really need the break from the children and will probably benefit from it and come back with recharged batteries.

However it doesn't make it any easier does it. I'm not at all worried about leaving baby ds, - he is too young to bother, but I think dd is at that awkward stage where she will miss me hugely and might not have faith that I am coming back. Your boys are older so you at least don't have that problem.

Carameli · 16/09/2004 08:30

YES YES YES!!!! Go you will have a great time.
My dd is nearly 1 and we've managed to get a few weekends away for some us time and its been great.Also going skiing next year.
The first time found it really hard saying goodbye to my dd, but my mum said it was definitely the best thing to do. I did think about her quite a bit but the smiles and hugs when you get back are just great.

Go, have a great time with your dh and bring them back some lovely pressies from Mexico.

You could also leave a mobile phone with them and send them lots of little messages as well as calling to reassure them you are coming back.

Have a fabulous time, I am jealous.

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