Going on Vacation Without the Kids!

When we were little and my parents would vacation, my mom would always leave a small present and note for every day that they were gone. It was never anything elaborate, but usually was something like candy, new pencils we wanted, dollar store items, etc. We LOVED opening up the presents and the note that went with it every day, and she also put a countdown on the note each day reminding us that the days were passing by. It made us miss her less, and almost look forward to them being gone! Have fun!!!

Good for you!

Read a story and leave a note via via 'tape recorder' so they hear your voice.....

Maybe leave a 'tape recorder' of you saying good night or saying prayers..

Have fun on vacation!

I send my son post cards-I try to send one every day. Sometimes I call, but normally he doesn't want to talk. I know, however, that he is being spoiled with Gma and the auntie while I am gone, so it really isn't an issue- most times he is having so much fun that he doesn't care that I am gone- He knows he's loved.
Enjoy your vacation! That is really the most important thing.

I like the ideas below :)

There are also books where you can recorde your voice reading the short book... I know I saw them at a hallmark story, might also have them at toysRus. That might be cute so you can read them a bedtime story (if they/you are all into that).

When my two older children were 4 and 5 my husband and I went on vacation without them. They stayed at their grandparents for 10 days. I had told them before we went that we would be gone a long time and I would call them. We didn't have cell phones back then so it was only a couple calls during the week. When we got home my oldest was pretty excited to see us, but my little grandma's girl of a daughter (4 years old) was upset and cried "But you said you were going to be gone a LONG time! She was having so much fun with her grandma, she didn't want it to end so soon. Your children will be so busy and have so much fun they will miss you but probably not be upset by it. Love notes left for each day in envelopes with the date on them would be so lovely though. I wish I had thought of that with mine.

Can you convince Grandma to bury a jar or box in the yard with messages?

Or is there a fishtank somewhere you could drop a message in a bottle into?

A DVD with you saying goodnight, or singing a song they can sing along with you?

Mail posted to them using regular mail that will arrive where they are staying while you are gone.

Flowers delivered to your sister or Mom (from you as a thank you for taking them) but the note will say it's from the kids to Grandma or auntie (or from a "secret admirer," everyone will be guessing!)

A map of where you are going with Daddy

I am the eldest in a family of 5 siblings.
My parents often used to fly overseas , pleasure and work..
usually they would try to take us - but when they could not they would leave us with the nanny , and she would :
- make each childs favorite food one night
- a letter for each child before going to bed -every evening : especially for the little ones ...they are used to having one of parents say night prayers before sleep - so a letter is a reminder of affection .
- pick a date to speak to kids on phone - just once , so that they have something to look forward to if they miss you too much.

I leave my youngest a kiss- I put on my darkest lipstick and kiss a piece of paper for her to keep while I am gone. It helps at bed time!