Preparing to Vacation Without the Kids
Right now, my husband and I are on our very first vacation in Cozumel, Mexico. We’ve had “vacations” before, going to the Wisconsin Dells, taking road trips, etc, but nothing as major as this. We both applied for our first passports because of this trip! We will be in Cozumel for 7 nights and 8 days. A whole week is a long time! More than anything, it is a long time to be away from my two kids.
Part of the reason Stephen and I wanted to take this trip now in our lives is that we knew for the next ten years or so, it is unlikely we’ll have another chance to do anything like this. We know our lives will get busier as our kids enter school and we’ll have more children (hopefully). It takes a ton of planning and effort to leave your kids behind and vacation without them. I had no idea all the variables involved! So since I just went through it, I wanted to give you some help if you are preparing to vacation without your kids in the future. Here are some things to do.
1. Have a Medical Treatment Plan & Consent Form
This is a piece often overlooked when leaving your children behind at home. My aunt forewarned me, telling me when she watched her grandchild she had troubles getting the baby the care it needed because she was not the child’s guardian. Be sure you sign over permission for your children’s caretaker to authorize any medical treatment necessary for your kids while you’re away. This process of transferring authority is different in each hospital, so call your local hospital, pediatrician, or clinic and find out what they need in order to treat your child. My local hospital said they typically try to call the parent and get verbal authorization. If this is not possible, they need a signed form from the parent that includes full names of all the parties involved, the children’s date of births, and an insurance card. I’m not going to guarantee they can get in contact with me while on vacation, so I’m sending this form and insurance cards with my children’s caretakers so we are covered.
2. Type The Kids’ Typical Daily Schedule
The last time I detailed my children’s daily schedule was back when I revealed the secret to how I get so much done. That was when my son was 5 months old and taking three naps a day. Now he’s 14 months and done breastfeeding, taking one nap, and sleeping longer at night. My daughter is 3 years old and has had this same schedule for a year and a half. You’ll notice they eat and sleep at the same time. I’m pleased to have achieved this while Nick is so young! Hopefully this makes the caretaker’s job a little easier.
My disliked foods section under Lily’s column is not a joke. Get help encouraging your picky child to eat here.
3. Type Up All Allergies and Medical Needs
If your child has any food allergies or sensitivities, be sure to write them down for your caretaker, don’t just tell them verbally. If it’s written on something they can ideally stick on their fridge, they’re less likely to forget since they see the reminder every time they get something to eat. If your child has medical needs or medications, WRITE DOWN the specific instructions and send them with. Never assume communication. My husband, who is now a manager (and a damn good one), always says if you didn’t repeat the instructions until it was uncomfortable, you didn’t get the message across clearly.
4. Teach Caretaker How to Properly Install & Use Car Seats
This is another safety issue that is often overlooked. Never assume someone knows how to properly use a car seat, even yourself. Read this post I wrote on car seat mistakes almost everyone makes and refresh yourself with your car seat manual. Then teach your children’s caretaker what to do and how to be sure your child will be safely transported while you’re gone.
5. Create a Packing List & Send It With Your Kids
Obviously you will be sending tons of clothes, care items, special toys and blankets, foods, and all sorts of other items with your child when you send them to stay elsewhere. You’re probably sending more stuff with them than you are bringing with you on your trip! You make a packing list for your trip so you don’t forget anything, why wouldn’t you do that for your kids? List everything you sent them with and then tuck that list in with their bags where they won’t find it. When you come back to pick them up, you can pull out the list and be sure you’ve collected everything that is meant to come home.
6. Give Your Children a Special Something to Remember You By
Depending on your child’s age and personality, saying goodbye for an extended amount of time might put them in an emotional state. My son is only 1 and he loves being with his parents. I gave him a little picture of Mommy and Daddy in a frame for him to look at while we’re gone. I don’t know if it will help or just remind him that we’re gone. My daughter is 3 and quite enjoys her time away from her parents. I think she wishes she lived at her grandparent’s. I doubt this week we are on vacation will be hard for her, but I gave her a card to read when she misses us, just in case.
I know this vacation I will miss my children dearly, but I also know I will enjoy myself and the break from the every day. Whenever I’m feeling heartache for my kids, I think of how many times I will get to be here:
and remember to appreciate the moment!
