The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
As parents, it’s easy to feel guilty about leaving the children behind and taking a holiday for just the two of you. However, taking a child-free break can be hugely beneficial for any relationship. Time spent reconnecting as a couple, away from the demands of parenting, allows you to relax, have fun and remember why you fell in love in the first place. Below, we will give you tips for organising a stress-free, romantic getaway without the little ones.
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Take time before your holiday to get the house organised. This will make life easier for your child’s carer and mean one less thing to worry about. Do a thorough tidying so the house is neat and clutter-free, and leave the children a cleaning schedule so they can keep it clean while you’re away. Put toys away, clear surfaces and vacuum. Do any outstanding washing up and put clean laundry away.
Also, check supplies of essentials like bin bags, washing powder, lightbulbs, batteries, and kitchen staples. Stock up on anything running low so it’s there when needed. Make sure any pets have enough food, treats, litter, etc. to see them through your time away.
Doing this household preparation means your child’s carer can simply keep things running smoothly rather than deal with urgent issues.
Another important consideration when planning a holiday without the children is making sure they are properly cared for in your absence. If the grandparents are willing and able, allowing them to stay at your house is often the best option. The children are in familiar surroundings, with people they know and trust. Be clear about rules and boundaries – bedtimes, screentime limits, etc. – so routines are maintained.
If leaving them with family isn’t possible, consider a responsible friend, babysitter or nanny to stay at your home instead. Interview them thoroughly and check their references to ensure they have the necessary experience and are a good fit.
In addition to making suitable childcare arrangements, be sure to leave important contact information for any emergencies. Write down all your contact details – mobile phone, hotel details, email – and leave several copies in easy-to-find places. Share copies with your child’s carer as well. Provide phone numbers for your family doctor, dentist, paediatrician, school/teachers, and any other healthcare providers relevant to your children. List contact info for close family or friends who can step in if the primary caregiver is unavailable. Having all the critical contact information in one place provides peace of mind if any urgent situation comes up while you are away.
Once you’ve made arrangements for the children, it’s time to choose where to go! The world is your child-free oyster, but consider picking a destination suited to a romantic, peaceful break for two. Quiet coastal retreats, secluded boutique hotels and exclusive couple’s resorts are ideal for reconnecting without distractions.
For a truly relaxing getaway, avoid anywhere too lively or family oriented. Places like Disney World lose their appeal without children! Instead, opt for somewhere you can spend quality time together, like a luxury safari lodge, vineyard hotel or canyon spa retreat. Don’t forget those private villas in the Caribbean or Mediterranean!
Focus on destinations that offer activities to enjoy as a couple, such as sightseeing, fine dining, galleries, live music or shows. Book a couple’s massage or private cooking class. Spend long lazy days lounging beside the pool or beach with a cocktail in hand. Staying somewhere peaceful and beautiful will make your time away feel even more precious.
Once you arrive at your blissfully child-free destination, make sure you make the most of this precious time together! Sleep in late, linger over breakfast in bed, take long leisurely walks on the beach – do all the things you can’t at home. Don’t rush to fill every moment with activities and excursions. Simply relax and reconnect.
This is the perfect opportunity to focus completely on each other. Ignore distractions like work calls or emails. Ditch the digital devices and be fully present. Communicate without interruption. Rediscover why you love each other’s company. Reignite that spark through intimacy, laughter and shared adventures. Make new memories to cherish.
Most importantly, have fun! Dine at romantic restaurants, hit the dancefloor, and get giggly over cocktails. Take silly selfies and act like carefree newlyweds. Grab life by the child-free horns! Just spending uninterrupted time together will leave you feeling closer than ever. You’ll return home with batteries recharged, ready to embrace family life again.
Taking a holiday without the children lets you relax, spend quality time together and enjoy some well-deserved ‘us’ time. With careful planning to ensure children are looked after and the home is in good order, you can fully embrace this opportunity to reconnect as a couple.
