How Parents can Adventure without the Kids

You read that title correctly. Parents can adventure without the kids. In fact, it is important to still have some time without them. Shocker, there is life without children once you have them. My husband is horrible at going away even for a few hours without our daughter or his firstborn, the family dog. But, it can be done. Think of it as a time to reconnect and breathe. However, we become so wrapped up in our daily lives, that everyone deserves some downtime. Read some important tips on what to pack, and how to prepare to adventure without the kids.

What to Pack in Your Kid’s bag-

• a couple of changes of clothes. Pretty much extra of everything
• a favorite stuffed animal
• emergency information
• any medicine or supplements your child takes
• toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, weather-appropriate items
• story-time book
• Mask

Side note: my child loves to pack her own suitcase. Double-check it. One time, we ended up on top of a mountain with a computer.

Leave-

The child, their bag, and the car-seat at the sitter. Give love and then leave. No mushy dramatic goodbyes. Keep it lighthearted and go. Do not look back. Get in the car and go.

*make sure the car seat is clean. It’s amazing what these chipmunks store in there. It’s like Black Beards lost treasure and some treasure should stay lost.

What to Pack in Your bag-

• Clothes appropriate for where you are going. Maybe even something the husband likes. Leave the yoga pants and stained with God knows what, mom shirts at home. My husband hates loud printed pants. Sorry Lularoe, my husband has a disdain for you. In other words, make what you pack special.

• birth control. Yes, I am going there. birth control. Condoms. Whatever your pleasure. If you use the rhythm method, or if the intent of this trip is to make minions (not the yellow guys), then you obviously don’t need any of these. My mom has reminded me a million times to not get pregnant on this night away. Hi mom!

Therefore I have a disclaimer:

Mom, I will be playing board games the whole time and this section applies to other moms. Not me. Board games and R & R the whole time.

• makeup. If you use makeup, then don’t forget it! If you prefer all-natural, then don’t worry. Thanks to masks, we don’t need lipstick anymore.

• your medicines. Headache. Allergy etc. Be prepared.

• toothbrush, toothpaste. Your man doesn’t need dragon breath in his face the whole time.

• deodorant. Moisturizer. Hair products etc.

• ID. I forgot my ID once at a winery and they wouldn’t let me do the wine tasting. It was a huge bummer.

• money. Yep, can’t get too far without money. Well, unless you and husband are hiking into the woods for this getaway. Into the Woods, great musical and has a husband and wife. Magic beans. Sorry, getting back on track.

• cellphone and charger. But don’t text the sitter over and over and you don’t need to flash photos of your kid with your husband all night. He knows what they look like and I’m sure the waiter doesn’t need to see them either or any other random stranger you might happen upon.

• confirmation info for the trip

• a list of fun things to do in the area. Attractions both of you will find fun, not just you.

Mask. It’s like the American Express saying, “never leave home without it.”

• Camera

Avoid-

• Gas producing foods before you go. Read the list here.

• Getting sunburned before you head on your trip. Lobster Lady ain’t sexy

• Giving yourself a rash. So no frolicking through the poison ivy before you go.

• Long toenails. Trim those bad boys before you go. Wolverines have sharp claws. Not you.

Something else you should do …

Shave. If you do this type of thing. Some don’t and more power to you. My excuse is mom-life. I seriously never seem to have the time or lack the motivation … But, for this occasion, shave.

So speaking of those wolverines mentioned above, if you do shave, do so before you leave. Whether you plan on just strolling through the sites or holding up in the room with the do not disturb sign on the door, shave. As I get older, shaving feels awful. So I use Nair. Just don’t leave on for more than ten minutes and keep out of reach of children. No baby naked mole rat or said child, applying to the family cat. Could you imagine?

• Find your Zen. Relax. Breathe. Perhaps even make a playlist for the car ride up. My husband likes the news radio station. Not relaxing. Swear he is 85 and not almost 45.

Husband-

Make sure his good clothes are washed. Not his play clothes. Mine loves his super ugly plaid shorts. Go figure, hates my loud pants, but loves his plaid shorts.

Side Note: ALWAYS check pockets before items get washed whether you are doing daily laundry or wash for a night away. I found half-melted chocolate in the dryer. Killed some of my clothes. Looks like I had an explosive blowout. The daughter’s and husband’s clothes just fine. Thought the small child was one that was hiding chocolates in the pockets, it was the big kid!

Otherwise, he can hopefully pack all his own stuff from there. The mom has more on her plate getting the kids to a sitter and unmomming herself. Debeastfying takes time and energy.

Pets if you have them-

Leave water and food for cats. Mine will have an unpeaceful protest if they don’t have ample of everything and a clean litter box. I swear my husband’s cat is in the backroom now making “cat lives matter signs.”
Dog- leash, vet info and any medicines they take

Then go down the list of all pets you have and just get them situated and to wherever they are going or not going. We are fortunate that our friend watches Abby and the dog together.

Final Thoughts-

Not every adventure has to be with the children. It’s super important that the husband and wife have time to themselves too. There are plenty of awesome local places in the Hudson Valley for a night away. Where are we heading? Follow us on social to find out! Want us to come to you on our next night away? We have a media kit available and several services that we offer from social media blasts to short videos, blog posts, and professional photography. But for now, I’m running late for a very important date!

I will honestly, be spending this time relaxing and enjoying not co-sleeping with baby ninja and taking in the scenery. No cat biting my toes tonight! Here is to a whole night of not saying, “don’t make me …”

Peace, Love and French Fries-The mom of Adventures of Abby Girl