Does taking a vacation without my kid make me a bad mom?

Sarah - posted on 12/29/2009

hell no..... exspecialy at 6 yrs old mommy needs a break just dont stay gonne to long and her back something

Lorie - posted on 12/29/2009

I wrote to you earlier saying you need a break etc...

I didn't know you were a single mom and I have been a single mother before and that I think sinlge mothers need more of a break then mother's with a partner b/e they don't have the extra hands. So GO HAVE FUN AND DON'T FEEL BAD :)

Iam sorry to the women that get mad at that but i have been a single mother and since I have married so I know how both sides feel.

Have a great time.

Angela - posted on 12/29/2009

Take a break!! You need alone time!! There will be plenty of vacations that she will go with you on!

Darlena - posted on 12/29/2009

Feeling guilty makes you a good mom, but taking a vacation does not make you a bad one.

Missy - posted on 12/29/2009

Hay girl there is no way you are a bad mom I know it is hard to sometimes leave them behind. But you also need time for yourself and that does not mean that you are any less of a mom. And it does not mean that you love your child any less. Trust me I am a stay at home mom and when grandma takes them even for a few days it actually makes me respect them more and I think they do they same. It gives them a chance to realize what a wonderful mom they do have.
Missy

Darlena - posted on 12/29/2009

Are you kidding? Heck no. You need that sometimes. You are only a bad mom if you don't miss them while you are gone.

Christine - posted on 12/29/2009

I went to Vegas for my birthday my daughter was 2 months old, I felt guilty at first but she was with family, my husband and I enjoyed the time together! You do need to get away every once in awhile...

Dottie - posted on 12/29/2009

It makes you a better mom you come back refreshed and more relaxed i take a vaction every year with the kids and it is all about the kids and then my husband and i take one alone it makes us better parents and is great for our relationship we have been together for 25 years our kids are 24 13 and twelve been doing this for at least 15 years so go and have mommy time and come back and be the best mom you can be

Jodie - posted on 12/29/2009

your not a bad mum at all.some mums choose to give their kids the jab,as it does help them not to get really sick,it does protect them from getting nasty illness.which in the plunket book,it does tell you what they are protected from,as there are many,and i cant remember all of them.but its your choice,and dont feel bad,alot of mums i know havent done it to their kids.and yes iam not going to lie,cos of it,their kids are constantaly sick,but all kids are different,some kids cant them as they can have an allergic reaction.go with your heart,and dont let people judge you for not doing it.only you can make that choice for your child,no one else can.so its up to you love.but dont feel guilty for it.just do what you feel is right.i know some mums dont beleive in that.and thats sweet as.im sure you will make the right choice,for your child.all good.

TASHANA - posted on 12/29/2009

NO, NO, NO. OF COURSE YOU FEEL GUILTY, BUT EVERY MOTHER NEEDS TIME, EVEN IF YOU JUST LOCK YOURSELF IN THE BATHROOM FOR A FEW JUST TO GET AWAY

Tiffany - posted on 12/29/2009

Trust me its hard at first, especially when its usually just you and baby, but now

I take a vacation every year. Its a change for both of you.

Dangelys - posted on 12/29/2009

its ok youre a mom so youll alwasy feel guilty bu you also need you time. im sure the dad has gone away without them and he didnt feel bad. you cant always be thh only one there and at times you need a break. i know once my son is about 9mths daddy and i are taking a solo adult vaca lol.

Mariam - posted on 12/29/2009

I think every mom needs a vacation sometimes. People have to understand that just because you're taking a vacation without your child once, doesn't mean that your going to do it all the time. Now, if this is, like, your 6th vacation without her, then people might worry, but don't feel bad that you need some time to yourself. Everyone does.

Melanie - posted on 12/29/2009

know the feeling my daughter goes and stays with her nanny now and then for the weekend and i miss her terribly. I still have my 2yr old at home (he's too sick to go to nann'y) but it is nice for her to be away from the stress of her brother being ill, plus she gets spoilt at nanny's. You wouldn't be a great mum if you didn't feel a little guilty its just natural but you also need your me time too x

Gwen - posted on 12/29/2009

Heck No!!!!!!

Shona - posted on 12/29/2009

I think its really good you have the chance to get away. If you have someone you trust to look after your child then you shouldnt feel so guilty getting a chance for some you time. After all mums work really really hard.

Renee - posted on 12/29/2009

What should I do??

Renee - posted on 12/29/2009

Thank you SO much for your words, ladies. I don't know, I'm a single mom with a 6 year old and Monday through Friday is very repetitive and boring, that's why my daughter likes being with her father on the weekends better. I just feel sh*tty because I FINALLY have some time free and I'm not spending with her.......

Anna - posted on 12/29/2009

I guess you must feel he/she is ready to be separated from you or you probably wouldn't be going. I think it's probably ok for a short time as long as they have a familiar, loving caregiver. Depends how old the child is I guess.

Shanika - posted on 12/29/2009

girl no way i need one right now!!!

Melissa - posted on 12/29/2009

If you wait until you don't feel guilty, you'll never go!! Occassionally, you have to have some time to yourself, and where else, other than on a vacation where you also don't have to worry about cooking, cleaning, working, etc. Go on vacation, and enjoy the time away from your child; it'll make you miss it even more!

Lorie - posted on 12/29/2009

NOT AT ALL, I would feel the same way though if I was going away. It makes you lucky that you are going away.

You just have to remember its very healthy to have time away from your child and your children to have time away from you. Everyone needs a " time out " once in a while.

I feel it makes you a better mom if you get time away b/e you have time to relax get refreshed and come back and take on the world.

Good luck and have fun on your trip.

Tanya - posted on 12/29/2009

Taking the break will allow you to deal with your own feelings, needs, issues for a while. You can come back to the parenting bond renewed rested and with better attention for your youngone[s]. The guilt is set up by societies parenting pressures, and beliefs given us by media etc that we should push down our needs for those of our children. Its an old concept from grandmas days. Just make sure that your children are left in the best care situation that you can arrange, and that you have lots of positive attention for your children when you get home. This will happen automatically, if you've used your time off well. Even short breaks can make a big difference in your levels of stress. Enjoy

Tanya - posted on 12/29/2009

absolutely not! I do know of others who also feel guilty, they feel they should include their children. As for myself, I LOVE going away for a weekend or taking a 1 week holiday with just my husband and I. My kids stay at my parent's house and I know they are just as well cared and looked after as they were at home, so I have no worries to go away. I guess for me maybe that is what makes all the difference for me, knowing where they are and that they enjoy being there. My husband and I have a 1 week vaction booked for Jamaica in January and I just can't wait to go and not have the kids there! I think its great to have time without them, have me time, we tend to get so lost in our kids, living our lives and doing everything for our kids, and not having any time to let loose and get in touch with who we are. i think it's healthy and refreshing to have time away, enjoy quiet moments, and have a great time with the husband, you need quality time together, and often going away for days or a week can really help build close bonds again.

Jessi - posted on 12/29/2009

NOPE! Us Moms work hard and we need a break every now and then! Me and my Husband went on a 4 day cruise and made it our goal to talk about missing the kids as little as possible. It was our time to just be husband and wife and not Mommy and Daddy.

Jessica - posted on 12/29/2009

no your not all moms need a break only if your goin to act dumb ya know you feel guilty cus youre so attatchd to he/she and its hard to think that youre gunnna have to leve em behind

Katherine - posted on 12/29/2009

Noway, because you're a mom and you feel close to your child/children. Are you a SAHM? That makes it harder too. Go have fun!!

Ashley - posted on 12/29/2009

not at all! i felt the same way tho! i sent my daughter to new jersey for a weekend with my FIL and i felt guilty lol. we all need time to relax and unwind! try not to feel bad and have a good time!