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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Holiday without children

18 replies

RachTD · 27/01/2023 00:03

Hi all, so my husband turns 40 in September and we would really love a week away sunbathing and lounging doing nothing. We would go during kids term time so our parents have minimal to do, we've never holidayed without them before. At the time we go the kids will be 7, 6, 5 and 2. We go away abroad annually and also a UK caravan holiday which we will still do this year. I'm struggling to book as feeling horrendous Mum guilt and would need to book an adults only place to avoid other children. Is it OK to want a break just the 2 of us or should we go all together as usual?

OP posts:
justasking111 · 27/01/2023 00:08

Four children?

GoldilockMom · 27/01/2023 00:13

Well if I had four I’d need a break away!

Book it - the kids will be fine, it’s only a few days and there’s plenty of communication available if needed.

Marlena1 · 27/01/2023 00:44

I did this for my 40th, loved it, no guilt 😊

rhowton · 27/01/2023 01:01

We are going next year for my husbands 40th!! We are doing the same in regards to school holidays and will pick somewhere adults only.

SkiingIsHeaven · 27/01/2023 01:02

Make sure you pack some condoms.

Boopydoo · 27/01/2023 01:10

If your parents are willing to have them, then I'd go.

That said, I might try a shorter trip, like Tues to Fri, somewhere a couple of hours drive from home just to check it all works out before committing to a week abroad. You can see how the Mum guilt works out that way.

Enjoy!

MinnieMountain · 27/01/2023 07:08

If the grandparents are willing, do it. We had 4 days in Rome for my 40th whilst DS stayed with MIL. It was brilliant.

underneaththeash · 27/01/2023 07:10

DH and I go away by ourselves most years and especially when the children were little it was absolutely lovely.

Would highly recommend.

NCTDN · 27/01/2023 07:12

We did this for my 50th. Obviously children were older but my parents were happy to have them. We did an adult only cruise and it was fab. It was actually really refreshing to not be around children.

converseandjeans · 27/01/2023 07:13

I would imagine Mon-Fri might be better for your parents. I doubt you will see many children if you go term time. Pick somewhere more grown up. Ibiza would be good.

Is your two year old in nursery? That might be hard work if they aren't in childcare.

I can see why you would want a break. Definitely pack condoms 😉

PotterLottery · 27/01/2023 07:18

I wouldn't go for a whole week especially with one only being 2. I feel it would be too hard for my parents. But id go for 3-4 days.

user8545 · 27/01/2023 07:18

DH and I have holidayed a few times on our own, no guilt whatsoever as kids had a great time with grandparents and have had other great holidays with the kids, that said, we only have 2! Leaving someone with 4 kids, of those ages, feels a lot.

Penguinandduck · 27/01/2023 07:21

We did it when ours were 5 and 2, we went to an adult only resort in Greece, Mon-Fri, and it was incredible! I still dream of that week! We’ve since had a third who is now 3, and she’s very anxious and wouldn’t cope at all with this. She’s done one night with grandparents and that was enough for her.

So if your kids will happily cope with the separation and your parents are willing, then jump at the chance!!

BuffaloCauliflower · 27/01/2023 07:23

Of course it’s ok, if your parents are happy to have them. Enjoy!

ZenNudist · 27/01/2023 07:25

If your parents really don't mind and are used to dealing with all 4 dc for a whole week then go.

Dh and I have been on a fair few shorter city breaks but the kids' grandparents found it very hard work when our dc were younger. We recently went for a week to America buy our dc are older now.

4 or 5 days could be perfect. You get an awful lot more breaks than you'd ever be used to.

Kids will be fine!

Quitelikeacatslife · 27/01/2023 07:28

Do it , if your parents are able and willing, that could change in future (it did for us and childcare became harder) so go for it now . Everyone will be fine. Buy your parents a lovely present after. And yes make sure your birth control is triple locked !

rookiemere · 27/01/2023 07:30

A week is a long time, I suspect you would start to miss them dreadfully and it's a lot to ask your parents.
Mainland Europe is still warm in September so you could have a lovely break without a super long flight.

yestgif · 27/01/2023 07:44

What about Monday to Friday?

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