Taking the Kids Logo
February 3, 2012
Taking, or Leaving, the Kids

 

Dear family travelers:

 

Forget roses. Never mind the fancy chocolates. All you want for Valentine's Day is the chance to sleep late -- uninterrupted.

 

No, you're not nuts -- just the parent of a young child or two...or three. And much as you love them, you could really use a break to relax and recharge with your significant other.Ski.com ad

  

Let go of the guilt, the experts say. Not only are such breaks good for your relationship, but they are good for the kids, says Dr. David Fassler, a child and adolescent psychiatrist who is a professor at the University of Vermont Medical School. They help teach them to be self-reliant. They see that you've got a life!   

  

So make this year's Valentine's Day card an IOU for a just-us getaway. Go someplace you won't be surrounded by other people's children. Look for locales and hotels that cater to grown-ups-Wine Country, a boutique city hotel-and plan activities you wouldn't do with the kids. (My romance column can help you plan!)   

  

Here's how to make sure you can leave the kids worry-free:

  1. CALL MARY POPPINS - Make sure your sitter is not only responsible, but someone the kids know and like. This is not the trip to try a new sitter, send your kids to an unfamiliar environment or leave your teens in charge. Make sure you have a backup for your back up sitter too.
  2. YOUNGER KIDS will be more comfortable and secure in their own home with responsible adults they know, experts say. If they haven't seen grandma in six months, don't leave her solely in charge!
  3. OLDER KIDS might prefer to bunk with a close friend. Just be prepared to reciprocate!
  4. MAKE IT A "VACATION" for the kids too by planning special activities and meals while you're gone.CruiseCompete ad
  5. AVOID being away when your child has some special activity (a championship game, a school play) scheduled or something stressful (midterm exams.)
  6. LISTS AND MORE LISTS of emergency numbers, medical insurance policies, neighbors who can help, the vet, the car mechanic, the pizza place.
  7. REVIEW the house rules with the kids (especially teens and tweens) so they understand the sitter is in charge and the consequences for disobeying.
  8. GIVE THE SITTER A BREAK by arranging for some play dates so that whoever is watching the kids has a chance to exhale.
  9. KEEP IN TOUCH so that the kids and sitter can reach you and call or email them too. Make sure they have an itinerary with hotel phone numbers just in case your cell phone isn't working.
DON"T FORGET THE PRESENTS - For the Sitter too!

  


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