Across the Country from My Babies:(

I am about to go thru this myself so thank you all for your input. My new husband and I are leaving on our honeymood on April 30 and are going to the Bahamas for 5 days. But we can't even call or anything cause we'll be on a cruise ship. But my mom will be keeping my daughter. My husband (her stepdad) asked me the other day "what are we going to do with out her for a whole week?" It was so cute!!

But my advice, is have a blast. Enjoy the time away with your husband. Your boys will be fine. I have to keep telling myself this too!!

My first trip without the kids was WONDERFUL. I worried and worried about my kids--they weren't even staying with family, they were with some friends. I thought they would be miserable.....THEY LOVED IT!!! They thought they were on vacation too. They keep begging to go back--which they will be at the end of the week--my son is counting down the days. Of course, you will worry about your kids....that's just what Mommies do, but try to focus on yourself and your husband. A HAPPY MARRIAGE IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILDREN!!!! And a happy marriage requires some attention without the kids. You really are doing your kids a favor by taking time to spend with your husband! (focus on that!)

we've traveled several times without our son. he stays wtih grandma and grandpa and they take him to the zoo, out to dinner, plant in the garden, etc. we got pictures sent to our phones of him a chuck e cheese having a ball. HA! I'm sure it's as much a vacation for him as it is for us. :o)

I called every day to see what was going on, we always had our cell phones charged and on us. they will expect you to call often!

know that it will get easier each time also... the first trip we took without him I was hysterical at the airport. but by day 2 we were having such fun reconnecting and remembering why we were married in the first place. it's such a blessing to be able to take some time for the 2 of you to rekindle your marriage. your relationship is not only important to you, but also the primary model for your kids. don't feel selfish or guilty for wanting time away. it helps rejuvinate you and you feel refreshed when you get back, like you are ready for whatever those guys throw at you next. :o)

have a WONDERFUL time, take lots of pictures, and cherish the time with your husband. you will be back with the kids soon enough, so in the meantime, enjoy the moment.

~ t

I completely understand where you are coming from! When our first son was 11 months old we went away for 5 nights and left him with my parents. I am not going to deny it was the hardest thing I had done up to that point but it was really good for my husband and I to get some quality alone time! I even cried a few times while we were gone but you have to just focus all of your attention on the two of you! When you start feeling sad, just grab your husband and find something fun to do together! It will be hard but focusing on your marriage is so beneficial to everyone in the long run! Have a great trip! And also remember that your boys are in good hands! :)

It is very hard we don't have any grandparents near by.
I couldn't imagine leaving them so young my daughter is 2 and my son 3 and it is still hard to go out without them.
I am nervous about going out for a few hours.

That is far away, I would definately make a detailed list
and anything specific for each baby.
Hopefully the person that will take care of them
knows them well.

I agree about the picture. I would keep a picture of my son and it would help me get through the day when I was working.
Calling helps ease your mind and you can have fun.

Good luck !!

I am not sure if I am jealous, or sad for your situation. I am sure it will be a fun, and well deserved trip, but I imagine the idea of leaving the boys is rough. I agree with leaving lots of detailed information, even if you have a family member taking care of them. Sometimes my mom, who raised 8, will get aggravated with the info I leave her for a 5 hour date night, suggesting that I must have forgotten that she raised us all just fine. But, these are your kids, you know their habits, etc.., so dont feel silly for TMI!! Also, be sure that you leave a medical release form, indicating your wishes for even the worst case. I let my 7 year old go away with her grandparents, and included everything from copies of the insurance card, to permission to get a blood transfusion, or even any kind of organ transplant. Now, I realize that it seems extreme to most, but I couldnt imagine that for any reason I could not get to her and someone else had to guess at my wishes. Plus, it just made me feel better know that I had covered my bases. I might also contact the airlines to see what their procedures are if you do need to get back home in an emergency, just so you dont have to think about it in a bad situation. You know that it is important to expect the best, and be prepared for the worst, so knowing that you are well prepared should help you sleep better at night. Maybe a fun thing would be to record yourselves reading them books or singing their favorite songs, just to keep them going. Most of all, leave them with someone you trust, pray often, and have a wonderful time!! Good luck ~A.~

oh, it is so hard to leave little ones! one thing that helps me (though i have not actually left them for more than a couple days) is to take pictures with you and call them every night to say "i love you" and "goodnight" - that helped me - enjoy your husband and don't let it bother you if he doesn't seem to miss them as much as you because you know he really does - you'll be home before you know it!! have a fun and safe trip!

You will be fine. When my daughter was 6 months old we went to Vegas for 5 days. Time flies by so fast and you obviously have a sitter you trust or you wouldn't be going. They may be off "schedule" when you get back but you will have fun and as sad as it is...they won't even know you are gone. Don't get me wrong, they will be so excited when you get home, but to babies, time is nothing, hours or days, it means nothing to them. GO and have fun! I am sure you deserve it.

Know that you are a loving mom and that you deserve some time to yourself - and with your husband and have fun! They will be fine and you need a break!

We've actually left our kids several times. The most difficult trip we took was to Canada because it was so far away. For each of our trips, what I did to make myself feel better about being gone was to type out and leave for the babysitter very detailed instructions for the kids. Our sitter was my mom for each of our trips, so she knows our kids well, but she still wasn't entirely familiar with their day-to-day routine. I included details on how the kids spent their day so I'd know that our being gone wasn't going to cause a big change in their routine. Of course, I also included safety information, such as medications, the kids' height, weight, ages (even someone who knows the kids might forget this stuff in an emergency), doctor's number, etc. I also included directions from our house to the doctor's office, the nearest minor emergency clinic, the nearest hospital, etc. And, while on our trip, I called once a day to check in. You can still have fun and feel like you're away, but you can also get the peace-of-mind of hearing your little ones babbling in the background and knowing that they're content.
Hope that helps. Have fun!