Plan a Couples-only Vacation

It's Good for You!

By Heather Johnson Durocher

So you've decided the time is right to take that much-deserved trip away with just the two of you and no kids. Here are a few ideas for preparing the entire family, as well as the caregiver, for the big event:

• Arrange for mini-stays with the caregiver prior to the trip. This allows time for everyone to feel comfortable with one another. Expectations, such as a child's bedtime and other ground rules, can be laid out at this time.
• Talk with your children about the vacation, when you will leave and when you'll return. A younger child, for example, may not understand as well as an older child but still should know about the plans. Using books or stuffed animals in the discussion may help.
• Discuss when you'll call to check in with your children. Buying a second copy of a favorite book or photocopying the pages to read over the phone at bedtime might be nice for your child.
• Leave something of yours behind with the child, such as a pillow from your bed or another special object or toy.
• Videotape yourselves speaking to your child, and leave the tape behind for her to view. Providing family photos may be helpful as well.
• Make and freeze your child's favorite foods.
• Hang a calendar and let your children mark off the days of the vacation. Another creative way of counting down the days: Create a paper chain with your children. The number in links is the number of days you'll be gone. For each day you're gone they are able to take a link off the chain.
• Bring something small back for your child to share your vacation with him and to let him know he was never far from your thoughts.

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