How to Prepare Kids for Parents’ Vacation Without Kids

Have you tried to vacation without kids? How old was your child when you first did it? How did your child do while you were away? Parents vacation without kids, if plan well, could be beneficial for both parents and kids. Depends on child’s age and maturity level, there are different ways to help kids to get ready for the time away from parents.

Usually it is suggested that parents can start leaving kids with trusted caregivers for an extended period after kids start kindergarten or elementary school. At this age, many kids have gone through the separation anxiety and gained some level of independence. But it doesn’t mean parents can just pack and go. Some planning and preparation can help kids go through this extended separation a lot easier and make it an enjoyable experience for both parents and kids.

First, you have to find a caregiver who can take care of the kids while you are away. It is important to choose the caregiver that kids are comfortable with, a person not only responsible, but also close to kids and has good relationship with kids.

Next, you have to make sure the caregiver has all the information they need: kids daily routine, their food preference, allergy and medical information, key contacts like doctors and emergencies.

When all these is set up, you can communicate with kids about your plan, and you will have all the answers to their potential questions and worries: who is going to take care of them, who is going to take them to places or activities, will they be able to do certain things as they usually do.

Before you leave for vacation, give kids something that will help them go through the days without you, a day counter chart, an object that represent you when you are away, well planned activities to occupy their days, …

It is also important to set up a schedule to talk to kids on the phone or via Facetime or other video chat tools, and most importantly, follow through the schedule during vacation. This will make kids feel you are still there and you are still reachable.

Last, don’t forget to bring gifts from the trip, something that shows you were always thinking about them during the trip.

Most of these tips are covered in the story app Back Soon – Parents Vacation. If you are planning a vacation without kids, this is a great story to read with kids. It is a story about Anna and Dan, whose parents are going vacation without them. They spent the days with grandparents, were able to do some fun things without mom and dad, and used a longing chart that mom made for them to keep track of the days. It is a wonderful story that kids can relate to, and it is a book that will help both parents and kids. Kids will learn what to expect for the days, and parents will learn how to make it easy for kids (and themselves).

The added benefit? The longing chart in the app can be adapted for your kids too. Kids can pick the starting and ending date, and putting in a symbol of their choice for each day – it could be a smiley face, a crying face, or just a check mark.

Back Soon – Parents Vacation is available on iPhone, iPod and iPad. It is also available on Android.

If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.

If you looking for tips on travelling with kids, here is another app that will help kids learn about travel with airplane flights — the process, like security check, taking off, waiting for luggage after arrival, and what you have to do to go through the process.