Comments on The Dressen Family: Honeymoon Advice

Hey! I am THE WORST when it comes to leaving kids....

2009-02-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hey! I am THE WORST when it comes to leaving kids. We have had a babysitter only once in nearly 3 years for miss Alexa.
This is besides a 7 day trip we took to Hawaii when she was 9 mo's old. I CRIED the entire flight to Hawaii. BUT once I got there, it was FANTASTIC. Seriously the best thing we could have done. I obviously called daily but I didn't think about it much. I was Guaranteeing EVERYONE that it would be a pointless trip because I would have NO fun with out her. But I really had a fantastic time and it was not as hard as I told myself it would be. I don't know what you can do to prepare yourself other than just know that they'll be in great hands and it will be SO great for you and your hubby to be alone!!!! You'll have so much fun.
xoxo

Heidi,

I appreciate your soliciting my thou...

2009-02-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Heidi,

I appreciate your soliciting my thoughts on this topic, but I must confess that Ana's reaction was: "You? She wants advice from you? The guy who leaves his kids behind and doesn't think twice?"

So, maybe I can't relate, or maybe I just have mad "Make the best of what's around skills".

The advice you've already received seems on-target. For me, I like to leave them with people I trust and then trust the people I left them with. Keep my cell phone always ready, but barely use it. Ana likes to call home at least once a day and that's not a bad idea if you feel like you NEED to.

3 other ideas:

1) Do as much as you can in advance so that you know your kids are comfortable (pack their favorite stuff, give them family pictures, have people cook their favorite foods and take them to their favorite places).

2) Keep yourself busy. During down time your thoughts will return to them, but an occupied mind will be surprised by how quickly time flies.

3) SERENITY NOW!

When we went on our cruise we couldn't call most o...

2009-02-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

When we went on our cruise we couldn't call most of them time without it costing a fortune. So we didn't! We called before the ship left and when it got back a week later. I did take a few minutes to check my email on the ship every day and my mom blogged several times during the week so I could see what they were doing though. I thought it was going to be way harder than it actually was. We really enjoyed the time away and absence makes the heart grow fonder! Have a great time!

I don't have kids yet, but I was told your kids te...

2009-02-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

I don't have kids yet, but I was told your kids tend to do better if you don't call and talk to them. If you have questions or just checking in call and just talk to the sitter. Usually kids have a harder time with mom gone if they are reminded that she is not there. Then when you return you will most likely get happy kids waiting to give you lots of hugs and kisses.

Oh I love vacations!!! We went to Hawaii last year...

2009-02-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

Oh I love vacations!!! We went to Hawaii last year for 10 days and the kids were great. I would try not to call and check on them too often - then you miss them! If you don't call, you enjoy yourself much more! Totally selfish, but this is your honeymoon!!! :) Your kids will be fine. They are so flexible that they adapt. And you come back a much better, renewed Mommy!!

there's that mother's guilt. find someone you tru...

2009-02-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

there's that mother's guilt. find someone you trust, take your phone, and HAVE FUN!!! little ones sometimes struggle when moms and dads take a break, but the breaks are NEEDED to keep mom and dad together and happy!!!! Lucky you...my vacation this year is to Iowa...AGAIN...why can't my parents live somewhere FUN???