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Sep. 17th, 2019
Care and Feeding: Kid-Free Trips
Sep. 17th, 2019 10:25 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ceretaDear Care and Feeding,
Are there any parents out there who do trips without their kids? We took one about three years ago (our kids were ages 1 and 10 at the time) and another one the following year. We’ve been discussing the possibility of taking another one in the near future, but I’m feeling some guilt this time around.
When I ask other parents where they stand on the matter, I get the stink eye, followed by, “Oh no, I’ve never been away from my kids for more than one night.” Are we being selfish? Is it unusual for both parents to peace out for a few days for a little bit of quiet time?
—We Need a Break
Dear WNaB,
If kid-free trips are unusual, it’s only because there are so many people out there who seem to treat parenting as a sentence, the best parts of your life completely erased so that you might become a full-time indentured servant to your children. It’s illogical and unhealthy. Taking time away from your kids is one of the best things you can do for yourself—and for your continued ability to care for them.
“I’ve never been away from my kids for more than a bathroom trip”–ass mothers make me sick. (I’m sure there are dads out there like this, but I’ve yet to meet one.) It’s one thing for a parent not to spend time away because they don’t have the resources or don’t have the desire to do so; it’s a whole ’nother one if they’ve made being tragic, self-sacrificing parents part of their identity. That has nothing to do with you.
Enjoy your vacation and bring back some cool souvenirs for the kids. Also, on the off chance that you’ve never taken a family trip, be sure to make time for one of those at some point as well. It doesn’t have to be far or expensive to be memorable for them. Happy travels!
—Jamilah
Are there any parents out there who do trips without their kids? We took one about three years ago (our kids were ages 1 and 10 at the time) and another one the following year. We’ve been discussing the possibility of taking another one in the near future, but I’m feeling some guilt this time around.
When I ask other parents where they stand on the matter, I get the stink eye, followed by, “Oh no, I’ve never been away from my kids for more than one night.” Are we being selfish? Is it unusual for both parents to peace out for a few days for a little bit of quiet time?
—We Need a Break
Dear WNaB,
If kid-free trips are unusual, it’s only because there are so many people out there who seem to treat parenting as a sentence, the best parts of your life completely erased so that you might become a full-time indentured servant to your children. It’s illogical and unhealthy. Taking time away from your kids is one of the best things you can do for yourself—and for your continued ability to care for them.
“I’ve never been away from my kids for more than a bathroom trip”–ass mothers make me sick. (I’m sure there are dads out there like this, but I’ve yet to meet one.) It’s one thing for a parent not to spend time away because they don’t have the resources or don’t have the desire to do so; it’s a whole ’nother one if they’ve made being tragic, self-sacrificing parents part of their identity. That has nothing to do with you.
Enjoy your vacation and bring back some cool souvenirs for the kids. Also, on the off chance that you’ve never taken a family trip, be sure to make time for one of those at some point as well. It doesn’t have to be far or expensive to be memorable for them. Happy travels!
—Jamilah
