It is often said that family vacations are the best times of childhood, and it’s certainly true that they build friendship within families, and make some great memories, but often they focus almost entirely upon the kids. This is not a terrible thing, of course; family vacations should be about the kids… but they should also be about you and your partner. Down time together is so important to maintaining your relationship in the long term, and this is why some experts recommend you take the time to travel without the kids, even if it’s just for a weekend. Here are a list of reasons as to why you might consider acting on this advice:
1. Prioritize your alone time
Being alone on vacation with your other half, even if it’s only for a few days, affords you the freedom to remember what makes you happy and do it. Parents tend to, quite naturally, prioritize their kids over themselves, but your happiness is actually important to your kids, too. We don’t just mean this in the sense that your kids want you to be happy (they do), but also in the sense that prioritizing your own happiness and the health of your relationship is a good example to set for your children. When you take small vacations together as a couple you are helping your relationship, and you’re showing your children that it is ok to do just that.
2. Find new aspects to love
When parents show outward expressions of love to one another, children often act embarrassed; but it’s a good kind of embarrassing. Often these children will want to emulate this in their own relationships later in life. Time alone while you travel will enable you to show each other the sides of you that are often hidden when you’re being “mom” or “dad”. Such experiences renew the love you feel for each other; you might even find new things to love about each other.
3. Laughter
Fun isn’t something restricted to youth; it’s an essential element of a full and healthy life. You should have fun with your kids, and make time to do so often, right? So why does this not apply to your romantic relationships? Taking vacations alone gives you the chance to redefine “fun” for a few days; laughing together is the best aphrodisiac.
4. Sleep in
A good night’s sleep with your lover by your side is one of life’s truly underappreciated joys, and when you are a parent to young children it’s one that you might not get often (if ever) for a good few years. Vacationing alone lets you do just that, however; you can cat nap, spoon, and snore all you want without three kids, a doll or two, and most likely a dog to contend with. Banishing restless or sleepless nights for a few days will refresh you physically and emotionally, leaving you able and ready to pursue romantic interactions.
5. Intimacy
Finding time to be intimate when you have kids is a herculean task, we know, but when you vacation alone you can get into the habit of displaying small intimacies at every opportunity. Hold hands, kiss, hug, and touch each other without reason; this is the perfect time to show each other that you love each other, rather than just saying it. If you can carry these little gestures over to your home-life you will find that day to day life will be easier to handle because you feel that you have support and back up in each other.