Ever went on a trip without your kids?! I know that sounds like pure paradise for some moms! My hubby and I love traveling with our kids, but it’s also a really great feeling to travel without them every once in a while. It helps us to reconnect and just relax. Traveling with the kids can require a lot of planning, but sometimes traveling without them can require that much more! So much to think about, so much to prepare, so many important things you may not think about but can’t afford to forget. Read on for 9 things to do before traveling without kids. (These tips are also useful for leaving your kids with a babysitter).
My hubby and I recently took a weekend trip to Atlanta without the kids and, man, were there were so many benefits for us during that trip! My parents and in-laws took care of the kids while we were away. Two of the kids were sick, and two needed to get the their activities while we were away. We, had to leave a lot of instructions behind for everyone involved.
1. Provide emergency information
It’s helpful to leave behind local contact numbers in case of emergency. Leave info for your nearest emergency room, your Pediatrician’s office, medical specialists your child sees, and the dentist (in case of a dental emergency). Your caretakers will also need a copy of your health insurance information, just in case. Provide written authorization for your caretakers to take your children to appointments in your absence. This will allow them to make medical decisions, if necessary. Even if your child comes down with something minor like an ear ache and needs to be seen, they can’t be if your caretaker doesn’t have your written authorization. If your child has any chronic medical problems, it’s also important to leave behind documentation of recent medical visits and any changes, in case of emergency.
2. Prescription and as-needed medications
Two of our children were on prescription medications while we were away on our recent trip. We left clear instructions for the dosage and timing of their medicines. We also left Tylenol, Motrin, and Benadryl behind just in case. I recommend doing this even if your kids are well when you leave.
3. First Aid Kit
Pack a first aid kit and leave it behind so that it’s readily accessible, just in case. The basics include band-aids, neosporin, and anti-itch cream, as well as the above medications.
4. Their Schedule
If your kids are still very young, it’s helpful to for them to stay on their regular schedule while you’re away. This way, they won’t be ruined when you get back home! Write out this schedule for your caretakers – include naptimes, meal times, activities, and bed times. We included these things for our youngest. Dance rehearsal and flag football times and locations were also added in for our older kids so they could make it to where they needed to be on time.
5. Your Schedule
It’s helpful for your caretaker to know where you will be at all times, and if there are any times that you will be unavailable. Leave behind information for your flights (or other transportation plans) and hotel information, so that there is ideally more than one way to get in touch with you.
6. Suggestions for activities
Provide some guidance for your caretakers on activities that your children love. You don’t want to keep them guessing, so give suggestions on safe activities they can take part in while you’re away. Also, make sure their “goodies” are readily available – like their favorite toy, blanket, stuffed animal, or game.
7. Car Seat
Don’t forget to leave behind your child’s car seat! This is so easy to drive away with as you’re leaving. You want to make sure that your children are transported safely when you’re away. You also don’t want them to be stuck in one spot the entire time you’re gone just because you forgot to leave their car seat!
8. Stock up on necessities
It would’ve been a pain for our parents to have to run out and buy diapers, wipes, or snacks for our kids. We made sure that we stocked up on the things they needed and loved before we left for our trip. This also helped the kids to feel more secure, knowing they weren’t lacking anything just because mommy and daddy weren’t there. Of course, it’s helpful to leave some cash behind just in case you miss something.
One hack that you can try is signing up for an online grocery delivery service like Shipt. That way, if they run out of something while you’re away, you can order it and have it delivered to your home within 2 hours. It’s so awesome! You can check out my review of Shipt here:
Shipt Grocery Delivery Review | Why I Don’t Go Grocery Shopping
9. Plan for the unexpected
No parent ever wants to think of something terrible happening to us while we’re traveling. But it’s important to make sure your children will be well taken care of in case something happens. Have a written guardianship plan, your will, and the information for your life insurance policies, just in case.
That’s it! Be sure to consider all of the items on this list, so you can have a worry-free time away from your kids! If you have any other suggestions, please leave them in the comment box below!
Are you preparing to travel without your kids? Or are you planning to leave your kids with a new babysitter? If so, get a handy printable of my Things To Do Before Traveling Without Kids by filling out the box below. As a bonus, you’ll get access to my Resource Library filled with helpful cheat sheets, worksheets, and printables to make your life easier. Plus, you’ll receive my weekly newsletter with encouragement, lessons learned, and tips on making it through this journey as a working wife and mom.
Or, if you kids will be coming along for your next big trip, here are my 13 Tips For Traveling With Kids.
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