Parents, let’s have a heart to heart.
Taking a holiday without your kids can feel like enjoying your favorite treat in secret, delicious but sprinkled with a little guilt. I get it. For the longest time, I didn’t go anywhere without my son, Yaqeen. After my divorce, he was my whole world, my shadow, my built-in travel buddy, and my go-to for silly airport selfies. So when I remarried and the idea of a honeymoon came up, reality hit really hard.
Leaving my then six-year-old behind, even just for a few days, felt like I was doing something wrong. But you know what? That trip became the first step in learning that taking care of me doesn’t mean I’m letting go of him. It meant I got to come back lighter, brighter, and ready to be the best snack-fetching, homework-helping, bedtime-story-reading mama I could be.
Now I want to share everything I’ve learned about letting go of that guilt and embracing a little grown-up getaway. Whether it’s a romantic weekend with your partner or just some much-needed solo time, you deserve to rest and reset.
So, if you’ve been dreaming of a holiday where the only person asking for snacks is you, keep reading. Here’s how to take a guilt-free holiday without the kids because happy parents raise happy kids.
Why Taking Time for You (and Your Relationship) Matters
As parents, we’re so focused on making sure everyone else is okay, the snacks packed, the school runs done, the meltdowns managed that we forget to check in with ourselves. The truth is:
Taking time away for yourself isn’t selfish. It’s essential.
Whether you’re parenting solo, with a partner, or like me, tag-teaming with a husband who stepped up as a loving, hands-on stepdad , we all need time to refill our cups. When we prioritise rest and connection (with ourselves or with our person), we come back fresher, happier, and more patientIt doesn’t need to be a long, fancy trip. Sometimes even one night away from the lunchboxes and laundry can feel like a total reset. And that’s not just good for you, it’s good for your kids too.
Because here’s the thing: kids don’t just learn from what we say, they learn from what we model. And showing them that self-care, healthy relationships, and emotional wellbeing matter? That’s a pretty awesome lesson.Whether you’re recharging on your own or r econnecting as a couple, giving yourself permission to enjoy a little “me time” or “we time” is one of the best gifts you can give your family.
It reminds you that you’re still a person, not just “mom,” “dad,” or “provider-in-chief.” You’re still someone who deserves rest, joy, and time to breathe. So the next time that wave of guilt starts creeping in, pause and ask yourself: what would I want my child to do if they were this tired? I’m guessing the answer isn’t “just keep pushing through.” It’s probably “rest, reset, and come back strong.”
You deserve the same.
Prepping Your Kids (Mentally and Physically) for Your Trip
Let’s be real, the first time you leave your child to go on holiday without them can feel emotional, to say the least. For them and for you.
When I took my first kid-free trip, my son struggled with some pretty heavy separation anxiety. There were tears (his and mine), clingy goodbyes, and a huge helping of mom guilt on the side. But I reminded myself: this was temporary and necessary.
Before the trip, I spent time prepping him mentally and emotionally. I explained where we were going, when we’d be back, and who would be taking care of him. We counted down the days together on a mini calendar.
Even with all that, the first goodbye was tough. But I kept the goodbyes short and positive (lingering makes it harder!), and stayed calm even when my heart was breaking a little inside.
The second trip? So much better. He was more confident, he remembered that we did come back last time and he loved the surprise snack stash I left behind.
Here’s what helped us both:
Lots of reassurance in the days leading up
Making our time apart feel predictable, not scary
Leaving him with familiar faces and routines
Daily video check-ins (short and sweet)
Giving him a small “job” while I was away (finishing a painting for me while I was away)
Helping your child learn that it’s okay for you to go and that you’ll always come back is part of building trust. It won’t always be easy the first time, but it does get better. And the pride on his little face when I came home and he told me he “was brave” made it all worth it.
Guilt Trips vs Real Trips: How to Keep the Worry Gremlins at Bay
So, you’ve finally made it to your kid-free escape. The bags are down, your shoulders are slowly unclenching, and then… bam! Enter the guilt gremlin, whispering things like “You should call again,” or “What if they cried?” Deep breath, mama (or papa).
Here’s the scoop: being away doesn’t mean you’ve vanished from their lives. A quick bedtime video call, a silly selfie with a “Miss you, squishy face!” caption, or a voice note with your funny voice (true story) is more than enough to keep those love lines open. Before you head off, set up a little check-in routine with whoever’s babysitting, so you don’t end up pinging them every ten minutes like a panicked pigeon.
Trust that your tiny human is okay. You’ve prepped, planned, and packed snacks like a pro. Now it’s your turn to enjoy that mocktail or cocktail in peace. If guilt starts creeping in mid-trip, which happens a lot to hubby and me, we talk about our little guy and make a promise that we’ll come back with him next time. I don’t send him pictures or videos because Yaqeen has major FOMO, and it just makes things worse when he says, “You didn’t take me!” But if it works for your kids, then by all means, send them a peek into your adventure.
Every time you go and come back, you’re teaching them something big. That love doesn’t vanish when you take a break. It stretches, holds, and welcomes you back with the biggest, squishiest hug ever. That’s the kind of love that grows confidence, for them and for you.
The Sweetest Reunion: Hugs, Souvenirs, and All the Feels
Coming home after a kid-free getaway is a whole event. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts. Whether I’m stepping through the door at home or spotting him bouncing with excitement at the airport, the reunion hits me right in the heart. My son comes running full speed like a mini superhero, arms wide open and face lit up. And let me tell you, I missed him like crazy.
Before I leave, I always ask, “What should mummy bring you back?” Between the long list of ridiculous items is always a keyring. He collects them, and each one is a little memory marker of where I’ve been and how much I thought of him while I was away. Whether it’s sparkly, silly, or shaped like a zebra riding a surfboard, it’s his, and it makes him beam.
I also share fun little facts about the trip and tell him things like, “We definitely have to take you there one day.” I let him know we thought of him when we saw those huge waves, the funny monkeys, or that cool lighthouse. He loves hearing that he was in our thoughts even while we were far away.
Reunions can come with a side of clinginess, and that’s super normal. Those first couple of days are all about being present. Leave the unpacking for later. Seriously, the clothes can wait. What matters most is getting back into rhythm with your little one. Cuddles on the couch, silly stories, and “I missed you so much” whispered between hugs are the real souvenirs they remember. My son is now 9 years old but its still the same we when back together.
Because the truth is, going away doesn’t take love away. If anything, it multiplies it. And the moment you’re back, that love comes bursting out in the most beautiful, squishiest ways.
Final Thoughts: Love Grows in the Letting Go
So here’s the thing. Taking a holiday without your kids isn’t some grand betrayal of parenthood. It’s a reset button. It’s breathing room. It’s the reminder that you’re still you, not just a snack-provider and schedule-keeper. Whether you’re off on a romantic getaway, a solo soul-search, or a girls’ weekend with too much dessert and not enough sleep, you deserve it.
Will there be guilt? Sometimes. Will there be clingy cuddles when you get back? Probably. But every time you go, reconnect, and return, you’re teaching your kids that love is secure even with space. You’re showing them what self-care looks like in real life. And you’re showing up for yourself, which is something to be proud of.
And here’s the funny part. When my son starts to complain that hubby and I are going on another trip, we jokingly tell him, “When you get a wife, we’re tagging along on your anniversary getaways too.” He always bursts out laughing, and just like that, the tension melts away.
So go on, book the trip. Pack the bags. Leave the snacks in someone else’s hands for a bit. You’ll come back recharged, re-inspired, and ready to parent like the rockstar you are, one happy hug (and souvenir keyring) at a time.
