When you don’t want to travel without your kids…

Get away for the weekend?   Sounds fun to some, but not to me.   I am not a ‘weekend getaway with your spouse‘ type of person.

I guess that am one of those people that won’t really enjoy traveling without the kids.  I feel like if I am going to take a break or a vacation, I want them there with me, enjoying it with me.  I have tried to take vacations with my husband and leaving the kids home, but I end up feeling so guilty that I just can’t relax.

So… what do you do?

First off, know that people will think you are crazy.   Now that we have that covered, let’s get real about it… you can still go away, but just don’t go far.

Tip #1: I have found that I can handle one night away if I am close to home.  
So, I went to Jamaica for three days and by day #3, I could not wait to get back home.  However, I went to Tennessee (2 hours away) with my husband for one night and it was great.  The kids barely missed us and we were home the next day.

Tip #2: Don’t tell them too far in advance.
Our kids have a hard time when they know it is coming and we talk about it a lot, so now I have learned to just tell them about a day or two before we leave.  They do much better this way and so do I (because I am not worried as much).

Tip #3: Let them have a special treat.
Our kids don’t have electronics during the school week, but if we have to go away, I let go of that rule.  It gets them excited for the trip and then I don’t feel bad about being gone.

Tip #4: Don’t feel bad for feeling bad.
I know that I should have fun when I am away, but I am just not one of those people.  I only have these few years while they are young and I just love being with our 4 kids.  I know that it is rare to not want to go away, but I have learned to embrace it and not worry that it isn’t what my friends would choose.  Who cares, really?  To each their own…

Ps- grab this free printable here & sign up for our free marriage course.

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becky

Becky Mansfield, wife to her high school sweetheart has been happily married since June 2004. She & her husband have four children. They work together, from home, on their blogs: Your Modern Family & Your Modern Dad. They keep their marriage strong by binge-watching Netflix shows, sneaking ice cream when the kids are asleep & making each other laugh.

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