Yesterday I wrote about day tripping in your own town. Spending time with your kids is great but what about taking a trip without the little ones. Many parents would like to but feel guilty about wanting to have some time away from the little ones. If you’re one of those parents, have no fear, there are ways you can have a little R and R without the kids and not feel guilty about doing it.
The current issue of LifeScript Healthy Advantage newsletter offers several ways to lessen the guilt. Here are some that I particularly like:
(1) Gift-A-Day- For each day that you will be gone, buy small inexpensive gifts for your kids. Wrap each one in colorful wrap and place in a basket. Tell your child that each gift represents one day that you’ll be away. Each morning, they can open one gift. When they open the last gift that will be the day you return from your trip!
(2) Send postcards- Even though you will probably talk with your kids daily by phone, send postcards to them while you are away. It shows that you were thinking about them. For older kids you can send handwritten notes also. You can also leave notes around the house for your kids to find while you are gone.
(3) Use Calendars to Count Down- Take a calendar and highlight the days that you will be gone. Give your kids stars or stickers and have them place a sticker on the calendar each night before they go to bed.
(4) The Power of Technology- If you and your kids have cell phones that take photos, snap one and send daily. You can also send images by email. Instant messaging is also a great way to stay in touch with your kids.
When you return home, spend time sharing your trip with your kids. Show them pictures of the places you visited, talk about restaurants you ate in, etc. It can be difficult to spend time away from your kids, especially if you’re a single parent. But it’s good for both of you. You may have to start with short trips, maybe just a weekend but eventually you should be able to work you way up to a kid-free week.
See also:
Road Tips for Women Who Travel Alone
You Know You Need a Vacation When