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Plan a Couples-only Vacation
It's Good for You!
By Heather Johnson Durocher
It's an idea all new parents have sooner or later: Let's take a vacation – without the kids. Maybe it's a weekend at a Bed and Breakfast or perhaps a plane ride to some far-flung destination. Even one night away could be all that's needed.
As enticing as any romantic getaway may sound, taking the seemingly giant step of traveling without Baby for more than a few hours can be difficult for parents who have grown accustomed to family togetherness.
"My daughter was 18 months old, and my husband got a cruise package as a Christmas gift for me," recalls Christine Rider about their decision to take a five-day vacation without their daughter. "When he told me about it, I cried. I didn't want to leave Michaela."
But Rider, who also is the mother of a 2-year-old son, knew she and her husband needed the time away together. "I really believe it is important to have couple time, and I believe that it is a necessary part of staying connected. I spend a lot of time raising our children but I don't want to neglect the relationship that allowed us to have these two wonderful kids," she says from her home in Elyria, Ohio.
Carving out couple time is vital to a happy marriage, especially in the early years of parenting when child-rearing demands are high, experts say. "You get to focus on each other without interruption," explains Charlotte Shoup Olsen, Ph.D., an associate professor with the School of Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State University. "To keep really connected to each other, couples need to know what is happening to the other person."
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding time to feel close to each other is sometimes tough. But the investment of truly knowing your spouse promises a great return: a happier family.
