What is the longest you have been away from your kids

DH and I have booked a trip for our anniversary and I am starting to get anxious about how long we are going to be away. Eight days! I think the longest I have been away is 4. I am not worried about their care, they will be staying with Grandma and Grandpa who watch them one night a week every week and have done so since they were about 8 weeks old. I am just going to miss them terribly, but I also know that it is important for DH and I to reconnect and rejuvenate. Also I am really sick of the snide comments that I am getting from people at work “OH! :shok: I could NEVER leave my kids for that long” it makes me feel like I am abandoning my kids. :cry:

If you have BTDT can you send me some coping techniques??

 

:hug: it is so hard but so healthy to get away! We went on a 7 day cruise at the beginning of May and that was the longest I've been away. I won't lie, it was very very difficult.
The best tips I have are to stay busy!! Make sure you have things to keep your mind busy. We played a lot of cards and I read 4 books.
For me I had to not call very often. I knew they were in good hands but everytime I called it upset me and made me homesick.
Have a wonderful time!

 

DH and I went to Florida when the twins were 4 months old, we were gone for a week. First off, you are not abandoning your kids. Every couple deserves the right to have some kid-free time and reconnect. A well rested & happy mom and dad make for happy kids. You know your kids will be fine with their grandparents and you will miss them and they will miss you but it will be a nice break for all of you. When we were away, I called my mother 2x a day to see how things were going. I missed the kids like crazy but I was grateful to have some time alone with DH. The trip was worth it. Enjoy your time with DH!

 

i would love to get away from my children for a week! :laughing: the most i've been away from them is 12 hours or so for work. that being said, i would also be anxious about it & would miss them like crazy, but i would absolutely refuse to feel guilty about it! i'm sorry people are being dinkuses (sp?) about it - i expect it's actually a case of being jealous so they want to make you feel bad.

 

same as PP, the longest i've been away from them is the duration of a work day. oh, and i did go to the company holiday party this year, which was an additional 2 hours away from them. i would love a break but i don't see it happening any time soon.

 

The longest I've been away is 24 hours for our anniversary. We are going to Vegas for our anniversary next week and will be gone for 2 days this time. I think those people who say the can't be away from their kids that long are just jealous. I hope you have a great time! Maybe call once a day, not too often bc it will make you worry more.

 

It was when we were first moving. For about 4-5 days, my mother and her sister watched them while we settled in to a hotel room. We really appreciated their help. We did, of course, come visit every day, so maybe it doesn't count, but we did not stay long at all during visits and we didn't have them over night. Once we got settled in to the hotel room, it was mayhem! Kiefer had just learned to walk and figured out he can get into every drawer and cabinet. He also learned how to open the lever door knobs. We were not safe in the bathroom anymore! And the digs had to be constantly watched over. We were in a tiny hotel room with two old dogs and two 1 year olds. Cameron was still crawling, but he could keep up with his walking brother pretty well.

Recently, my mother wanted to watch the boys for a couple of days letting me and Jason have some time off in NY. She backed out cause she was afraid of how she was going to handle them on the stairs. I agree, it wasn't easy since they were not ready yet to go up and down on their own. Now they can, but not always when you want them too. My mother isn't a young grandmother, so I know how hard it would be for her. We had to forego the vacation. Her sister would help, but my mother still felt she'd be responsible and was not up to the challenge yet. Oh well, I still feel comfortable letting the boys stay with family for a couple of days. It'll just be a little longer before we can go for an idea like that. They are super difficult right now cause they still don't take full instruction and they just get in to everything! That's a bit much for my mother at this time. That includes duct taping their diapers on a regular basis or running after them with a rag and a pooper scooper. They don't like sitting on their potties nor wear their diapers. What a predicament!

If you have the chance to take some time off, it's so important that you do! You'll be refreshed adn ready to take on the challenges with a much clearer mind....a clean(er) slate!

 

The girls have spent one night away from home...and that was when they were about 6 months old. Not one night away from us since. Vacation without kids..wouldn't know what to do with myself.

Have a great time though...I would love to go away without the kiddos.

 

Tony and I went to Hawaii when the twins were 17 months old...I called them every day at bedtime to say good night and yes I missed them but at that time it was really the best 7 days - I could get up when I wanted to, take a leisurely shower and get only myself ready to go somewhere - I didn't have to get myself together and then wrestle 2 toddlers into their clothes, a stroller, no diaper bag etc...

go, enjoy yourself and tell the people at work that if they'd like to take care of your children so they're not "abandoned"...gimme a break!

 

The longest I've been away from both of them so far is only about 4-5 hrs at one time. I was away from Alex overnight a few nights in November but only because I was in the hospital with Will (he had pneumonia). DH and I are going away for a few days this summer for our anniversary and I am REALLY looking forward to it! I think the longest I'd want to be away at this point is maybe 4-5 days, but I think that's such a personal decision. Go for it and enjoy it!

 

The longest I have been away from my children is 11 days straight, a couple hour visit, and then another ten. I was basically away for 21 days. It wasn't by choice, since I was hospitalized and they couldn't come in to see me, but it did teach me that children will thrive where there is love. My children were well cared for, probably better cared for, by my family while I was away. Since then, my husband and I routinely get a night away from the children per month. Everyone looks forward to the visit with the children, and my husband and I look forward to a kid free evening. We are going on a 7 day holiday without them when they are two and we are looking forward to it very much. I always say that children need their parents to have a strong relationship, and that time alone with your husband is well spent in that regard. And children grow up and move out, husbands and wives don't... that's why you need to keep that spark alive. Enjoy your vacation. The kids will probably enjoy their parent free time too.

 

Mine have been away for 3 days at my mom's house. Don't feel guilty. You and your husband need this. Stay busy, call in at night to check in. Enjoy! This will make your relationship stronger and that is in fact for your kids!! We are planning a trip at the end of July for our anniversary and will be gone for 6 days/5 nights. Have fun and don't let anyone make you feel bad!!!

 

I've been away from them twice, each time for 3 days & 2 nights. They were with DH both times -- he and I have only gotten away together once, and it was only for one night. I wish we could have done it more often! I just don't have anyone who is willing to take care of them for that long. But they will be fine, and you'll have a great time.