5 Reasons We Travel Without Our Kids

​Let me preface this post by saying I know we are lucky to be able to take a family vacation each year and a vacation without our kids.  This is primarily possible because of Rob’s airline job (free or discounted flights) and having an awesome family member who is wiling to keep our kids for us.  For a lot of people, an adults only trip isn’t in the cards during this season of life.  I totally get it.  But if you are wondering why we do it, or if you should do it, here are 5 reasons we travel without our kids.

Enjoying Oktoberfest Zinzinnati in the days B.K. (before kids)

1. A Hot Cup of Coffee
 
Before we had kids, I didn’t understand what a luxury it was to sit in the morning, uninterrupted, and drink an entire cup of coffee while it was hot.  Nowadays I wake up at 6am and drink half a cup warm before the kids get up, then spend the rest of the morning losing that cup, finding it, reheating it, taking a sip and then being distracted by my kids.  So when Rob and I get a chance to get away, just the two of us, that morning coffee is never taken for granted. 

Maybe coffee isn’t your thing (I’m not sure how you survive, but whatever).  I’m sure there is something you did before you had kids that you would like to enjoy uninterrupted.  A cold beer?  A luxurious morning sleeping in?  We all have something!

Adults only cruise, breakfast on the verandah.

Breakfast in Paris, B.K.

​2. Give Me A Break!
 
Are you starting to think I don’t love my kids?  Trust me, that’s not the case.  It’s just that 358 days of the year we are together.  All the time.  Any job that you do 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every week of the year gets a little draining.  I don’t think a few days on a beach are asking too much.  And a beach where I don’t have to watch my kids, reapply sunscreen to two wriggling people, or worry about who’s going to need a snack next.  I want a beach chair, a book, and maaaaybe a tropical drink with an umbrella.  These things make me a better mommy.

Animal Kingdom Lodge, adults only 2015.  See how Rob and I are both lounging at the same time?  

​3.  One on One with the One You Love
 
In these years where your kids are little, it’s easy to lose sight of what started the whole thing.  Once upon a time, a boy met a girl at the Bass Pro Shop.  They fell in love, had an amazing wedding on a beach in Florida, and then had many adventures and built a wonderful life. Then, they decided to have children.  The love was multiplied and the adventure continued, but it looked a little different. 

When we are apart from our kids, we able to reconnect.  We have whole conversations without interruption.  I’m able to focus on Rob, and he on me, just like in the old days.  It helps to keep our bond strong.  We try to keep in mind that we only have 18 or so years to raise these kids, and then it will be just the two of us again. 

Love birds at dinner.  Where we didn't have to feed any other people.  Amazing.  

Adults only trip to the UK 2015, adult beverages in Newcastle. 

​4. Doing Grown Up Things
 
Get your mind out of the gutter.  I mean, those cool things to see and experience that aren’t appropriate for or possible with two preschoolers.  Last year, we took our adults only trip to Disney World and stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  One thing I surprised Rob with was the Wanyama Safari.  We took a guided safari into the savannahs of the resort and got so close to the animals we could touch them.  Then we had a chef’s table dinner at Jiko.  It was amazing! But no way could we do that with the kids.  First the tour is closed to those under 12, but even then, what 12 year old would enjoy a chef’s table dinner? 

Adults only cruise, mixology class.  No kids allowed.

Elly Cathedral, adults only trip to the UK 2015.  

Adults only trip to the UK 2015.  We stayed a night in a castle.  Kids would never appreciate that.

​5. It’s Good For Your Kids
 
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, so a few days away from your kids will give them a chance to miss you.  This is especially important if you are always with your kids, all day, every day.  They learn that you do come back when you leave.  It helps foster their independence.  Also, listening to and obeying people other than you is a life lesson they will need as they enter sports, school, and eventually the work force.  Not to mention, spending quality time with aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins will bond them all together, and who doesn’t love that?

Festing is better when it's the four of us.

​There you have it.  Five reasons I think it’s good to take a break and travel without our kids.  Rob and I are preparing for our adults only trip in a few weeks.  Stay tuned for more details!