Guilt free holiday WITHOUT Children, is this possible or a idealistic fantasy

[luceymay]

Going away on for 6 nights 5.5 days for a friend?s birthday. BIG event, big chateau booked, all paid for by host, we agreed many months ago. Rationalised in my head at time and seemed perfectly reasonable..

Reality of leaving children though, as it is now only a matter of weeks before we go, is hitting home. I feel sick about leaving them and am dreading the trip.

So

1. How do I deal with telling the children that we are going. 1 child will be fine but daughter has become V clingy recently.

2. Any tips on how to not spend the entire time wanting to catch the first flight home or should I just accept the guilt as a form of punishment??

Children staying with grandmothers and I have no concerns over their well being, daughter may be a little emotional that Mummy isn?t there though.

Any help or advice gratefully received !!!!

How old are they?
I have never done this (but would loe to so if you chicken out I'll go in your place )
would talking about them going on holiday to GM work instead of you IYSWIM?

loe=love obviously!

Message withdrawn

I bet you will feel much better when you are there, nice drink in hand, having a laugh with your friends, than you do now!
Agree, tell children they are having a lovely treat/holiday with grandmas and you have to go to see a boring friend/work/go to shops (whatever they like least) & that you will speak to them every day.
How old are they?
Bet you have a fabulous time.

Once you get there you'll have a great time. the children will too. I know you're dreading it now but it will be worth it and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.

I went away for a week without DS and I was really worried that I would panic/miss him terrbly/want to turn back as soon as I got to the airport, etc. But in reality once i was on the plane I just sat back and thought "OMG, this is going to be GREAT!" and had a wonderful time. He was with his grandma and his Dad so I didn't have to worry about him being well looked after.

I go away every year without the DC. It's wonderful, it's relaxing and I come back a better mother (or is just the excuse that I use?)

I'm sure you'll have a great time once you're there.

Thank you all!!

They are 3 and almost 5. I keep telling myself that its all going to be fine and we will have a fab time but at the moment I am not doing a very good job of convincing myself. I think I am going to try and be as positive as possible about it all as this is an opportunity we never have had before (or are likely to have again)!

With the children I am going to say that we are going to have to go on a boring trip whilst they get to have a special holiday etc etc.

We coincide our trips with away Heineken Cup rugby matches and internationals, have done since our kids were the same age as yours.

Rome trip was the longest we have left our kids (4 nights). Grandma completely spoils them, so I have no worries there and they love staying with her.

I used to feel guilty but I keep busy, going to the rugby game and doing a bit of sightseeing as well, the time really goes quick. When our DCs were smaller DH would do the phoning home to check that they're ok and I've always got a photo of them with me.

I come back refreshed and happy. I feel it's important to have time away from DCs as a couple. Enjoy yourselves, you said your DCs will be fine, so relax.

Now I've gotten used to leaving the kids, we've got a dog ...... missed him something cronic whilst on our family holiday in sunny Florida ...... longest three weeks of my life

Go and have a great time -- and don't feel guilty I actually went on a hen week to Spain when my girls were 3 and 17 months. The youngest one was still breast feeding pretty much all the time when I left and was very reluctant to drink out of a cup. My mum gave me absolute hell for going - she even phoned me on my arrival and ranted down the phone! But she was fine and learned how to drink out of a cup while I was away....and I could still feed her when I got back. Enjoy yourself - it will go really quickly anyway.