- Joined
- Jul 19, 2007
- Messages
- 7,144
- Reaction score
- 1,915
- Location
- Carlsbad, CA
- Resorts Owned
- Marriott: Maui Ocean Club Lahaina Villas (3BRx5), Ko Olina, Shadow Ridge II, Willow Ridge, Aruba Ocean Club, DC Points HGVC: Flamingo, Sea World, I-Drive, Starwood Bella (x4), SDO, TradeWinds, Worldmark
All,
TUGgers have given me great advice over the years on a variety of topics, and I would appreciate your perspective here too.
Jonell and I have been fortunate to get away on a couples trips once or twice a year for several years running. It's been great for us as a couple, and especially therapeutic for me as my job can be a bit stressful.
We've been lucky that Jonell's parents have been able to watch the kids up until now however the last two trips have made us realize the chemistry of teen/grandparent is no longer working. We now think we are doing a disservice to both parties by asking grandparents to continue we don't want to cause unnecessary friction.
The problem is that we don't have a logical alternative. There are several options, but nothing that perfectly resonates. We have a lovely family that lives next door and knows a young couple from their church that doesn't yet have their own children. We've received a suggestion from a good friend of a recent college graduate that they know well -- our objective is finding someone that we can trust, who would stay in our home, make sure that the kids make it to/from school, and to/from bed. But these are "strangers" even though they are only one level removed. We can get to know them in the coming months before our late January trip, but they are still new to us. I think it's especially hard for Jonell because she stay-at-home and is deeply connected to the kids daily routines.
So....how to TUGgers with kids feel about this? Would you allow a new person to watch your kids for a week so you can get away, or would you curtail it for a few years until the situation changes? We do get occasional weekends away to Palm Desert or Napa, but a week in Hawaii is a whole different experience.
Please advise with your thoughts and thank you!
Best,
Greg
TUGgers have given me great advice over the years on a variety of topics, and I would appreciate your perspective here too.
Jonell and I have been fortunate to get away on a couples trips once or twice a year for several years running. It's been great for us as a couple, and especially therapeutic for me as my job can be a bit stressful.
We've been lucky that Jonell's parents have been able to watch the kids up until now however the last two trips have made us realize the chemistry of teen/grandparent is no longer working. We now think we are doing a disservice to both parties by asking grandparents to continue we don't want to cause unnecessary friction.
The problem is that we don't have a logical alternative. There are several options, but nothing that perfectly resonates. We have a lovely family that lives next door and knows a young couple from their church that doesn't yet have their own children. We've received a suggestion from a good friend of a recent college graduate that they know well -- our objective is finding someone that we can trust, who would stay in our home, make sure that the kids make it to/from school, and to/from bed. But these are "strangers" even though they are only one level removed. We can get to know them in the coming months before our late January trip, but they are still new to us. I think it's especially hard for Jonell because she stay-at-home and is deeply connected to the kids daily routines.
So....how to TUGgers with kids feel about this? Would you allow a new person to watch your kids for a week so you can get away, or would you curtail it for a few years until the situation changes? We do get occasional weekends away to Palm Desert or Napa, but a week in Hawaii is a whole different experience.
Please advise with your thoughts and thank you!
Best,
Greg
Last edited: