Momma Needs a Vacation

Sorry but i sounds like you are doing to much explaining. Tell the children THEY are going on a vacation to grandmas house. Buy them each a new back pack and put some important things in each one. A favorite picture of you and your husband. a tshirt that smells like your perfume a favorite book or movie some favorite snacks And new game they never played before, and a few small silly presants all wrapped up so they have some thing to look foward to each day. And then enjoy your selfs. Dont call every day call every other day trust your parents to take care of the children. If you let the kids think they are going on an adventure not you leaving them it will be much easier for every one. I know for a fact I did it with my son who was glued to me at the hiptill he was 10. You could even get a little voice recorder and record a message of love or read a short story. Then if they miss you to much hearing your voice will help. Good luck

You need a break, Period. If I were you I would focus on how much fun they're going to have with the grandparents. Explain to your little girl that she's the big sister and that while you're gone she's needed to help with your son. 2 is a wierd age but now that she's four she might like the idea of some responsibility. As for your son, I'm pretty sure he'll take most of his cues from your daughter. As a last rsort you can also try bribery...tell them you're taking a trip to get them something really cool and special.

Take the vacation! They will both learn that you do come back! Your daughter could be jealous b/c she didn't get to go and is holding a "grudge". Enjoy your vacation! As parents, it is very well deserved!!

I would leave the explanation as to where you are going at a minimum. Our daughter is 5 and to date we have not taken her on any of our vacations yet, just didn't feel she was old enough, although she will be going to the beach this next summer and we are excited. We have always told her that we are going out of town and that she is going to get to stay at Grandmas. We tell her that we will call, but we don't make any promises just in case we miss her for some reason, and we leave details out of it. Children have no idea of time and to them a day is a day and they dont' understand a week, or vacation, they just know that mommy and daddy are going away. So tell them you love them and promise them an activity that they enjoy when you get home. We always take the day after we get back off work, and spend the whole day doing fun stuff and pretty much she forgets that we were ever gone. It is important for you to get away for a while and your kids will understand eventually. I hope this works and I hope that whereever you decide to go is a great trip for you and your husband.

E.,

I understand your anxiety. I too would be devastated when my kids would "punish me" for doing something for myself that did not include them. I have a son that has a high functioning type of Autism (Asperger's Syndrome) and routine is VERY important to him. I realize now that I have to take care of myself to be able parent with love and not impatience. I know that in my head, but can't bring it down to my heart. I make myself do things occasionally for me... I'm not real good about it but I'm trying. One thing that made me jump back and think once was when a friend of mine who works as a marriage and family counselor said to me not to let my kids hold me emotional hostage... she meant not to find myself do things just to keep them happy and loving me. You are very fortunate to have a man who loves you... nurture that and cherish it. Your relationship with him should always come first. The only thing that should be before that is your relationship with God. I wish I had a husband that wanted to go on a romantic get away with me.

I don't think it's as big of a deal as you're thinking it will be. My kids always get mad when I come to pick them up from their grandparents' house too. It doesn't bother me though, I just look at it as them being so lucky to be able to spend quality time with grandparents. As for the worries on how she'll react to you leaving, noone ever said that your kids had to know every detail, so why even tell her what you're doing? Why not just say, "mommy and daddy are going on a little trip while you go play at grandma and grandpa's house for a few days." Then when she asks where you're going you could say, "Florida" or wherever it is. If she asks what you're doing, just tell her "we're going to take a trip from there to the bahamas" or something like that. I also have a four and a two year old also, and I never lie to them, but if I know that something will make them upset, I don't tell them about it. Our children and your children are at those ages where everything is made to be age appropriate. So, if something upsets them, it's better to withhold it. I say have fun and go with no worries and just think about all of the fun the kids will have while you're gone. Also, kids don't really know time, so you may want to consider not telling her exactly how many days you'll be gone at this point. You could just say, "we're not exactly sure, a few"

By the way, I am so jealous! Since we've had kids, my husband and I have gone for an overnight trip only two times! And that was just for one night!! Good for you guys!

I know what you mean, my hubby and I have been married for three years, our daughter will be two tomorrow and we have not even had a Honey Moon yet!!! We have had to leave her with the grandparents a few times for a day or two, but she wasn't old enough to really hold that grudge against us I guess.
I also agree with E. the lady that posted before me.
One thing that might help though...Do you and your husband take a regular date night or weekend afternoon? If your kids got more used to being with a sitter or family member for a little before you took the vacation that MIGHT help them to get used to the idea of being away from you for a little bit.
Another tactic may be too spend as much time as you can with them before and after you go on the vacation to help appease them.
I hope this helps a little, and good luck!
I also wanted to let you know that if you're interested in a moms/playgroup I have one on Yahoo groups. The link for it is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lowcountrycaringfriendsandf...
If you're interested feel free to check it out! Once again good luck and take care!