How to Travel Without Your Children
As much as you love your children, the time comes when you want an adult-only getaway. Avoid long faces and tears by preparing your kids for your departure, making the time before you leave more pleasant for all of you. It's easy to keep in touch today, even from the other side of the world, so you can devise ways to stay in contact. The promise of a gift on your return also may make your parting more pleasant.
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Advance Preparation
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The worst way to handle leaving your kids is to spring it on them at the last minute. Advance prep can provide fun activities for both of you. Make a calendar with your departure day prominently displayed. Put pictures of the place you'll be staying on the calendar. Make plans for the kids' days without you by filling in fun activities such as "Day at the museum with Grandma" or whatever else your kids will be doing while you're gone. Take care of more mundane but necessary tasks, such as notarizing paperwork allowing whoever is watching your children to sign for medical treatment while you're gone and leaving a copy of your insurance card.
Departure Day
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As tempting as it is to sneak out the door without saying goodbye, resist the temptation. Kids need to learn that saying goodbye doesn't mean you'll be gone forever. Goodbyes are a part of life; help your kids learn to let go -- maybe it will make it easier for both of you when they leave for college in a few years. On the other hand, don't drag out your goodbyes. Say a loving but matter-of-fact goodbye, give big hugs and kisses and leave. Don't come back in for "just one more hug" once you say goodbye; you'll just start the waterworks all over again.
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Staying in Touch
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There's no reason today not to stay in touch. Send pictures to your kids via your phone, text, use Facebook, email or phone. Don't be surprised if your kids say little more than "Hi" or "Bye" on the phone; young children often don't have the knack of phone conversation and may not want to talk to you if they can't see you. Before you leave, write notes that your children's caregiver can put in their lunchbox each day or under their pillow with a small gift, such as a sticker book or small stuffed animal.
Coming Home
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While it's tempting to buy out the airport toy selection on the way home to appease the kids, resist the temptation. Bringing one gift home tells the kids you thought about them while you were gone and that you missed them; buying the toy store is an admission of guilt. And it sets up unrealistic expectations for the next time you decide to leave home without the kids.
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References
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