Hey there! You’re listening to the Mighty Mommy with some quick and dirty tips for practical parenting. Today’s Topic: Going it Alone
Tips for Vacationing Without the Kids
Believe it or not, taking a vacation without the kids can be done. It’s a good time to recharge, spend some time with your spouse, and come home refreshed. I never really felt like I’d be able to leave my kids for longer than the usual dinner-and-a-movie routine takes. In the last two months, however, I was actually able to get away twice with my husband. My first trip didn’t go as well as I would have liked, but it helped me plan ahead for the second trip. I’ve definitely learned a few things! So before you pack your bags, I have some suggestions for you to consider.
My first trip this year was to the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas. We left Friday afternoon and returned late Sunday night. My mom had generously volunteered to watch the kids. By the time I’d called to check in with the kids on Saturday morning, my mom was exhausted. My three-year-old was definitely not on her best behavior. I tried talking with my daughter on the phone. I reminded her to “listen to Grandma” and “be a good girl.” Unfortunately, my requests fell on deaf little ears. I knew I would have to change our babysitting plans for our following trip to the Portable and New Media Expo in September. We were going to be gone for another three days.
My first plan of action was to call in reinforcements. I know that is not always a possibility for everyone, but if you have family or friends that you trust to watch your children and they are willing, I say call in the favors! If you can set up a schedule where each caregiver only has your child part-time, you might find it easier to get some help. Since the main issue in my situation was my daughter’s behavior, I chose to split her time up between three different caregivers. She stayed with my mom the first day, my brother’s family the second day and my mother-in-law on the third day. Splitting my daughter’s time between three different people not only gave my mom a break, but it also distracted my daughter from the fact that I wasn’t available.
Once you have your babysitter situation confirmed, it’s time to start preparing for your trip. I recommend spending some quality one-on-one time with your child before you leave. You should be spending time with them on a regular basis, but this would be a little extra time. You will both be glad you did. Parents often assume that some time away from the kids will be carefree and relaxing, but I found that my first couple days away were difficult because I missed my kids. It definitely gets easier though!
During the days prior to leaving, you will probably be gathering and packing the things you will need for your trip. Even the smallest child can detect an upcoming change. My kids become over-sensitive and needy when they sense these changes. This doesn’t mean all children will do the same thing, but it is something to keep in mind. If your child starts acting out more than usual, try to have a little added patience. This can be difficult when you are tying up loose ends and looking forward to some time away, but it will be more pleasant if you just stop and take a five- to ten-minute break with your child. If you can somehow pack several days early or while your children are at school or sleeping, you may be able to avoid a little bit of the pre-vacation worries, but spending that little bit of extra time with them is really the best thing you can do to reassure them.
Now that you have prepared yourself and maybe even your little ones, the next step is to prepare your caregivers. There are some small, but very helpful things you can do to help the household run smoother while you are gone. Make sure you give your caregivers a medical release form. This ensures that your child can be cared for in case of injury. Create a list of all of your child’s allergies for the sitter as well as a list of your child’s favorite foods. When I have a sitter staying in my home I fill a basket with healthy snacks that my children love. This way, there is always something available and it makes locating a snack much easier for the caregiver. If you can leave a container like this for your caregiver, it will be much easier to locate something when your child is asking for something between meals. You could also create a menu or prepare meals in advance before you go. The more you do in advance to help your caregivers, the more they will appreciate it and be willing to help again next time.
Finally, I’d just like to mention a couple of other things you can do in advance to make things easier on your caregivers. Selecting clothes for your child and putting them in a convenient location will help save time each day. It’s not easy for someone else to remember where you keep your child’s socks or pajamas. Leaving these items out may seem like a little thing, but every tiny bit helps. Another thing to leave with your caregiver is a schedule of daily activities. Children thrive best when they are kept on schedule. Giving them something to do and letting the babysitter know what time to engage the kids in certain activities will keep the household running more smoothly. The more smoothly the house is running without you, the more you’ll be able to enjoy your vacation.
That’s it for now. Hope you enjoyed listening. I’d love to hear from you.
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