Enjoy the following guest post about finding downtime without the kids during the pandemic.
Josh Moore created diaperdads.com to not only give credit to all the superhero dads out there, but give them some helpful tips to navigate fatherhood, diapers and all.
Josh Moore created diaperdads.com to not only give credit to all the superhero dads out there, but give them some helpful tips to navigate fatherhood, diapers and all.
Navigating the daily challenges of parenting during a pandemic hasn’t been easy. If you’re feeling a little burned out, you’re far from alone. Parents everywhere have had to make some major changes to the family routine to keep everyone safe, healthy, and happy. A vacation — without the kids! — probably sounds pretty good right now.
At Love After Kids, we know how important it is for parents to get away from the little ones every once in a while. While you may not be able to hop on a plane and explore the world, a local getaway could be just what you need to reconnect with your partner and rekindle your spark. Here are some tips to help you plan a pandemic-friendly vacation for two.
At Love After Kids, we know how important it is for parents to get away from the little ones every once in a while. While you may not be able to hop on a plane and explore the world, a local getaway could be just what you need to reconnect with your partner and rekindle your spark. Here are some tips to help you plan a pandemic-friendly vacation for two.
Why Take a Vacation Without Your Kids?
Many parents feel guilty about taking a vacation without the kiddos, but spending some time apart is beneficial for everyone. Getting away from your kids for a little while — even just a weekend — can help you and your partner reconnect and remember why you fell in love. Carving out special time for your partner is essential for finding satisfaction in your relationship after having kids. Besides this, a kid-free vacation is a great chance to relax, unwind, and recharge your mind, so you can be the best parent you can be. As Parents.com explains, it’s also good for your kids to learn how to be independent and confident without you around.
Where to go
With the pandemic in full swing, it’s a good idea to vacation close to home. For example, you could book a vacation rental in a nearby city or an area of town that you love to visit. A vacation rental is a low-risk option compared to a busy hotel, so you should have no problem social distancing on your local getaway. You could even take your vacation out of town and find a cabin where you and your partner can hunker down and relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Childcare considerations
The hardest part about vacationing without your kids — aside from getting over the guilt of leaving them behind — is managing childcare arrangements. If you have parents or in-laws living nearby, you should be good to go.
Alternatively, you could have a close friend stay at your home or hire a professional live-in babysitter. To prepare your caregiver, put together a little binder of information they may need access to, like important health documents, insurance cards, daily schedules, allergy details, and emergency numbers.
Alternatively, you could have a close friend stay at your home or hire a professional live-in babysitter. To prepare your caregiver, put together a little binder of information they may need access to, like important health documents, insurance cards, daily schedules, allergy details, and emergency numbers.
Set some goals for your getaway
When you have kids, couples’ vacations are few and far between. Make the most of your break by setting some goals. Unfortunately, couples’ massages and fine dining may be off the table right now, but there are many other enjoyable ways to spend a vacation. Some pandemic-friendly activities include self-guided walking tours, hikes, board games, picnics, and DIY spa days.
On the other hand, you and your partner might just want to sit around, read, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. Most importantly, make sure you use this time to get some much-needed sleep.
On the other hand, you and your partner might just want to sit around, read, relax, and enjoy each other’s company. Most importantly, make sure you use this time to get some much-needed sleep.
Manage Your Children’s Expectation
If this is the first time you’ll be vacationing without your kids, it’s important to prepare them for your absence. Emphasize all of the fun and exciting things that your kids will get to do while you’re gone. For example, you could frame it as a vacation for your kids as well, whether it’s a staycation with a sitter or a trip to grandma and grandpa’s house. Plan some fun activities for them to do while you’re away and let them know you’ll bring back gifts when you return. As Homegrown Friends suggests, you could even give them some goodbye gifts before you leave!
It’s easy to get so swept up in the responsibilities of childcare that we forget to put effort into our romantic relationships. And the pandemic has exacerbated this issue for many parents. So book some time off work, drop your kids off with their grandparents, and get away for a bit.
For more parent-focused relationship advice, check out the resources on Love After Kids.
It’s easy to get so swept up in the responsibilities of childcare that we forget to put effort into our romantic relationships. And the pandemic has exacerbated this issue for many parents. So book some time off work, drop your kids off with their grandparents, and get away for a bit.
For more parent-focused relationship advice, check out the resources on Love After Kids.
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If you haven’t already read the book, it’s a great place to start - Relationship Reboot: Break free from the bad habits in your relationship.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 16-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old toy poodle.
If you haven’t already read the book, it’s a great place to start - Relationship Reboot: Break free from the bad habits in your relationship.
David B. Younger, Ph.D. is the creator of Love After Kids, for couples that have grown apart since having children. He is a clinical psychologist and couples therapist with a web-based private practice and lives in Austin, Texas with his wife, 16-year-old son, 6-year-old daughter and 8-year-old toy poodle.
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