It does sound very attractive doesn’t it? The kids are all grown up. We’re free to go off on a holiday without them. A 13 day getaway in Tasmania with no kids! At last! Woo hoo!
It’s true, our kids are all grown up! Our youngest will soon turn 20 (I cannot believe it!), but all are still reasonably dependent and living at home (two still at Uni, one graduated and job seeking). We’ve had a couple of long weekends away without them and once were up the coast for 5 days without them but never have we been on a 13 day holiday that is not within a short drive of them. It’s exciting but yet a little bit daunting! There’s quite a lot of thinking, planning and doing to be done before we can strap ourselves in on that plane and take off into the sunset towards Tasmania!
Here’s a little glimpse into my ‘to do’ list before we leave.
- Plan and cook up some meals to freeze to help them survive the 13 days
- Stock up on groceries and leave some grocery money
- Do up a chores roster. Why?
1. So they know what jobs need doing, and
2. To help minimize fighting between them over who does what and when - Organise dental appointments (we’re all overdue)
- Borrow some cold weather gear from rellies (jackets etc). Don’t have much of this stuff in sunny Queensland!
- Shop for some cold weather gear. I need some general casual day to day winter gear.
- Buy birthday gift for my daughter (her birthday is 3 days before we get home and I will feel better if there is a gift here for her) and chat with my sisters regarding my mother’s birthday gift (same day as my daughters). Don’t worry – there will be birthday celebrations after we return!
- Lots of teaching the kids how to do stuff – eg maintenance of the pool, how to use the washing machine and dishwasher etc
- Leave instructions on medication schedule for our 15 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – ‘Chelsea’
- Flu Shots – we get them every year. Plan is to get them before we leave. My daughter and I have immune issues so a flu shot is a must.
- Medical appointments for me to fit in before we leave – mine are always ongoing lately
- Buy an additional memory card for my camera – DONE √
- Type up a ‘what to pack’ list (I have started this!). I am not practiced at travelling so find that following a list makes me feel more organised and less panicked about forgetting something essential. The aim is to pack light with only essential stuff, leaving room for some purchases 😉
- Tee up rellies to periodically phone in and/or drop in to check the kids, dogs & house are AOK
- Mow the yard, water all the garden and pot plants, and feed the fish in the pond just before we leave
See what I mean and that is barely scratching the surface. I’m sure that it will become easier to get away without as much hoo ha eventually. It’s all new waters for us and we want to be sure that everything is in order and the kids are all set up and prepared before we depart. I also want to be sure my two dogs are safe and cared for.
Just over a week till we go!! Lots to do in those days so please forgive me if I’m a bit slack in the bloggy world for the duration! Keeping my fingers crossed that I can neatly file away any worries in my mind’s filing cabinet (see yesterday’s post) and not let my ‘worry wort’ side infringe on my wonderful and much needed holiday away!
How about you? Have you got older kids and been away on trips leaving them at home? Got any tips or advice for me? Was your house in one piece when you returned?!
Ciao for now,
Note: The image used for today’s post is not one of my own. It has been hyperlinked to its source.
[ This post is linked up with Essentially Jess for #IBOT ]
28 Comments
Hubby and I are leaving tomorrow for 4 nights in Kingscliff. We will be leaving my 18 year old daughter home for the second time this year. She was here over the Christmas holidays for a week on her own. Apart from the house not being as clean as I might leave it, she did an excellent job. The house was still in one piece, the neighbours still talking to us, and there was even some food left in the pantry. A success I think 🙂 Good luck with your planning, I am sure your children will be fine in your absence and hopefully the house will be too. 🙂 xx
Oh how lovely that you’re getting some time away with hubby Nicole! I think my main worry is that the kids share the load and it all doesn’t fall on my daughter! This is why I’m doing up a roster. I know the house won’t be as clean as usual – so long as they do the essential jobs to keep on top of stuff and look after the dogs! 🙂 xo
I am kind of, VERY envious! For me it will be years until I get to that stage! Unless I win a trip for two somewhere. Have a wonderful holiday! Tasmania is amazing. 😀
I’ve been a mum for 22.5 years so it’s been a long wait for this day! lol … and it still makes me anxious even though my youngest is 20! BUT in saying that I feel much more ready to do this than I have before. One day I may even get overseas! Woah! lol
You almost need the holiday to get over the preparation for the holiday. Our girls are now 14, 15 & 16. The eldest is currently in Greece. I’m not sure when I will feel comfortable leaving them all home alone to go traveling with hubby but I’m really wanting a holiday. Our 20th wedding anniversary is in November and I was thinking perhaps one night away, somewhere close but just not sure. We don’t have family in the same state so they really would be home alone.
Very true Raychael – I think I will collapse in a heap when I get on the plane. It is then that I will finally feel the excitement! Until then I have lots to get done. I have appointments every day this week and next week up until we leave is cleaning, shopping, washing and cooking up meals to freeze (oh and packing I suppose!!). It’s taken until my youngest is 20 before I feel comfortable enough to do this. I started with just weekends away – then 5 days away (once) – now a whole 13 days in Tasmania! This is for our 30th wedding anniversary which was in January. I think you should be ok to get away for your 20th wedding anniversary! Hope you do! 🙂
Gosh I think of all the planning and preparation I do to go away with a child. It’s whole other ball game going away without the child and leaving them at home ALONE.
Haha – yep! It’s taking me some getting used to. I’ve tried to get myself used to it gradually by some weekends away first, 5 days up the coast and now this. It will be good for US and it will be good for the kids. They will hopefully appreciate me more after this because it will become very apparent what I do when I am not here! 😉
Min, don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Relax and enjoy the time away. The only thing I would do is get the flu shot now so if you get a sniffle from it it wont ruin your time away. Have fun.
I think I’ll be ok once I get on that plane Patrick! I’m booked in for the flu shot on Friday so my sore arm and any sniffles should be all gone by the time we leave 🙂
My inlaws are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in Tassie at the moment, and yep, it’s pretty cold! But I’m sure you will enjoy the break from warm weather, and have a lovely time. Hope it all goes well for you. xx
Thanks Jess – I will most definitely enjoy the break from warm weather Jess. I’m one of those weird people who LOVE cold weather! I also love all that goes along with cold weather – eg fireplaces, cozy quilts and doona’s, winter clothes!! 🙂 xo
I am totally jelly Min and will be following your trip via IG as I know you won’t be blogging, I’m sure you’ve got it sorted. Don’t forget portable ponchos!
I’m totes jelly of myself too Em coz it doesn’t feel real yet! I’m not one that usually gets to travel and while it may only be Tasmania which is still in my own country and not a huge big overseas trip – it’s a big deal to me and very exciting! 🙂 Yep – I’ll be on IG whenever I can get access to post there. No blogging. Might pop on FB now and then if I get some wifi access 🙂
Tasmania will be great and I’m sure the kids will be fine. I’m leaving mine (with hubby and a couple of friends are helping out during the day) for 3 nights as I cruise to Sydney with my Mum, sister, aunts and girl cousins. We leave tomorrow and I can’t wait.
Oh wow Kathy – hope you enjoy the cruise! I look forward to hearing all about it. Sounds like so much fun! 🙂 xo
Preparation for holidays is one of the most stressful things and I don’t even have children
Have a wonderful trip
Visiting from IBOT
So true! So much to do in order to get away. The best feeling will be when I plant my backside on that plane and it begins to taxi down the runway 🙂
I hope you have an awesome time in Tasmania and don’t stress too much about the kids at home. Mum and Dad went away for Easter and left my 16 year old brother at home. They live in a small town though so there isn’t much he could do without Mum and Dad finding out about it lol.
Thanks Tegan – well my youngest is 20 which happens to be the age I was when I got married (strange when I think about it) so hopefully all will be fine! Ahhh yes your 16 year old brother would have had lots of eyes on him in a small town! lol
Oh my Gosh! So close now. I love how organised you are. I have no doubt you’ll cross everything off your list. So do you think the kids will have a wild party when you’re gone? 😉
I don’t feel organised at all Renee! Still so much to be done! Haha the kids wouldn’t dare have a wild party. If they did – I’d know about it! 😉
So excited for your trip! And you will enjoy it all the more knowing you’ve covered everything at home before you leave. Woo hoo!
Thanks Jodi – cannot wait till I jet off. I so need this break away!
How exciting it’s only a week to go. You are super organised Min but I am sure the “kids” will be fine. Hope you have a lovely trip! x
Thank you Steph! 🙂
As I’m writing this comment, you must be in Tasmania! I hope you’ll have a great time and enjoy your trip. Also, Tasmania is the perfect place for pictures with the beautiful scenery and nature so I’m looking forward to see your photos. I’m sure you’ll love it!
Yes I would have been in Tasmania Rita. I Loved it there – just gorgeous! As I’m typing this you are now a mother of a beautiful baby girl!! I bet you’re tired but very happy. Can’t wait to see some more pictures of her! 🙂 xo