Traveling Without The Kids
Tips for Parents Who Leave Their Children Home While Vacationing
Parents are often nervous about leaving their children while they take a vacation. Information about what parents need to do before they go on their trip is provided.
Once you have children, the whole concept of taking a vacation completely changes. Even though it can be a lot of fun to take vacations with your children, there are times when parents need to take time alone to reconnect and strengthen the bond that keeps the entire family together.
However, leaving the children at home with family or a babysitter is never an easy task. Parents often feel guilty about leaving their children and become very nervous prior to departing on their trip. They worry that something might happen to the children or to themselves while traveling. If you are planning a vacation without the kids, here are some tips to be sure you have everything prepared for your children prior to leaving for a your romantic getaway.
Get a Babysitter You Trust
This is one of the most important decision parents need to make during their children’s lifetime. Determining who is appropriate to watch your children is crucial both for nights out and vacations. Parents should always do a background check on new babysitters, interview them at length, and contact references to determine whether this person will treat your children with the utmost respect and provide them with love and kindness while they are taking care of them.
The person who is chosen to care for your children while you are on vacation should be someone you completely trust and one that has spent a lot of time with your children. You should have witnessed their positive caring techniques in the past. This could be a family member, a good friend, or a babysitter or nanny. The person you choose should be familiar with your children’s personalities and the ins and outs of their daily routines.
Provide a Schedule of the Daily Routine
This is helpful for both your children and for the caretaker of the children. Not only does it provide some consistency for the children, it may help alleviate additional stress for them as well. It also helps the caretaker determine when the children need to eat, when they are typically bathed, when nap and bedtime routines typically occur, etc.
Provide a Detailed Itinerary
It is critically important that your children’s caretaker can contact you at anytime while you are away. Provide contact information and the address of the hotel you are staying at, as well as information about the airline you are flying, flight numbers and when you will land in each location. Also include contact numbers of people you will be in touch with at your location, as well as your cell phone information.
Provide a Medical Release Form
You will need to create a medical release form in case a child is injured and will need medical attention while you are away. Most hospitals won’t do surgery or care for a child if the parent or guardian is not present to make decisions. Prepare a form that states that your caretaker has permission for any and all medical attention to be administered in the event of accident, injury, sickness, etc. until you can be contacted.
Also state that you will assume the responsibility for the payment of the treatment. Make sure you include your children’s names and sign the document. Include contact information for your children’s doctor. Copy your insurance card (both sides) and attach it to the document.
Provide Medical Contacts
Always put a list of all of the doctor’s names and phone numbers, as well as the number of the local hospital on the refrigerator. Include pediatricians and specialty doctors such as allergists, ENT’s, etc. If something happens, your caretaker can easily look at the information and contact the appropriate doctor or local hospital right away.
Make Sure Your Will is In Place
Are your estate documents in order? If you are parents of minor children, you must have a will to determine who will be the guardian of your children. Deciding who will raise your children if you and your spouse should pass away is often a difficult task, however, this has to take place in order that your children are protected and are in a loving environment.
Also, make sure the guardian won’t be financially strapped. Prepare for and have enough life insurance and assets so the guardian can take care of your children without financial stress. Make sure all of the estate planning is completed and share with the guardian where this information can be found. Be sure the guardian can easily find attorney’s numbers, doctor’s numbers, bank information, school information, the social security cards of the children, and immunization records.
Don’t let all of this information scare you. Prepare all of the necessary information prior to your trip, have it ready, kiss the kids good-bye and have a wonderful, relaxing, care-free vacation.
